fuge light questions

[illal]

im just wondering what lighting schedule every one is running there fuge lights .... i just set mine up opposite from my halides .... my halides are only on 8hrs a day so the other 16hrs the fuge will be lit.... do any of u have it setup this way? also what are u guys using as far as lighting? im using and old pc light that ive had 2x65w but im only using 1 of them (the 10k one)

 

[dobly_1999]

I use a low energy sunlight flood light I got at home depot. It is 13 watts usage, but produce 75w equilant light. I run it 24/7. If you wish to run it on a timer, I would suggest at least 12 hours per day.

 

[tankgeeks]

it depends what algaes will be kept in your fuge...if its caulerpa its best to keep it 24 hours a day from preventing to from going sexual..... i have chaeto, and use the lights of america flood light from home depot.....great light, great growth,and i have it opposite my main lights totaling about 15 hours...... hope that helps some....

 

[bckane]

Im running mine 24/7

 

[illal]

i only have cheato in mine..... ive had the fuge running as long as my tank has been up but had the lights on the same schedule as the main lights in my display.... today i decided to switch things up a bit in hopes to keep my params a little more stable

 

[tankgeeks]

having the reverse photoperiod helps create a more stable ph, with less fluctuations....here are a few threads i used to help me make my decisions:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1265259

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1264664&highlight=return+pump

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1239794&highlight=chaeto

 

[racermike27]

I run my fuge light 24/7. I use melevs bulb.
I run a Ca reactor, and I have no pH depression.
My pH is 8.2 at night and 8.3 in the day.

 

[Bullredchaser]

If using chaeto reverse cycle is fine but if using culerpa reverse cycle is dangerous as it will eventually go sexual.That why leaving the light run 24/7 was started to begin with.Leng Sy did alot of research on this back in the 80's and I've seen it happen when the culerpa ends up in the tank and the lights are on a cycle but the culerpa in the fuge in the same tank does not go sexual.Youll know when it happens as your water turns green and the culerpa turns white.

 

[coralfragger101]

And that's one of the best reasons why "not" to use caulerpa in the first place. Caulerpa Taxifolia anyway.

That as well as it is very invasive and the roots take hold of anything and everything and it's next to impossible to get rid of if you decide to swap it out.

Chaeto is the way to go......................................................

 

[loyalrogue]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11926276#post11926276 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coralfragger101
Chaeto is the way to go......................................................

I second that.
If you are having problems from wild pH fluxuations with your light cycle then you can put your fuge on the recommended alternating schedule from your display lighting.

If not then just leave it alone.
Chaeto is extremely forgiving, hardy, and one of the best all-around macros available.

I leave my fuge light (regular 60w equivalent 2700k spiral flourescent in a $4 round aluminum home depot worklight reflector) running 24/7 just to keep maximum growth and nutrient uptake going.
I've thought about running it on an opposite cycle, but I haven't had wildly swinging pH so if it ain't broken....

 

[Chef Reef]

not to steal the thread, but is there an advantage to having both Chaeto and Caulerpa? which one is better by itself? what does one do that the other doesnt?

 

[illal]

chaeto is better for the reasons already stated in this thread