fuge lighting period

[StrategicReef]

Hi, the cheato is growing very well in the sump I am running the light there 12 hours but almost reverse of the display tank lights, but I was wondering should I run it during the display lighting period to compete with the algae in the display, does the algae chaeto and hair algae alike grow and export nutrients only when they are lit?

Although the chaeto is growing well now in this lighting hours I do not think it is reducing the algae in the display at all... I think this is because the algae in the display gets to use it's own 12 hour of lighting while the sump is dark?

 

[a2fire2i]

i would try to figure our what is feeding the hair algea and fix that issue. Are you using tap water? Over feeding??

 

[StrategicReef]

I used the rocks from my last tank which soaked in phosphate and nitrates, so it's just releasing now. I feed my anthias a cube of frozen food everyday so it's a constant supply of nutrient, I am waiting out and see if the new system will balance out, it's been about 6 weeks only.

 

[Sk8r]

24/7.

 

[kydsexy]

opposite of the display is right. is the flow high enough? and agree with the overfeeding possibility.


algae NEEDS nutrients to grow

 

[Percula9]

Check the nitrate and phosphate levels. These things drive algal blooms. I do 24hr cycle on my fuge to help keep the pH more stable.

 

[StrategicReef]

I give up testing PO4 and nitrates because they never read anything, same as my RO DI water of TDS 0, it is used up by algae and chaeto before I can get a reading, I know they are there though.

 

[tmz]

On opposite photo, the display will produce oxygen when the chaeto is producing CO2 and vice versa. This helps to stablize ph. Increasing the photo period for the chaetomorpha will likely increase it's growth and nutrient absorbtion. I would , however, leave a period of darkness even if it's just an hour or so to accomodate whatever functions the algae may naturally complete in darknes if any to occur.