Photo period for Refugium

[ken6217]

I just setup a CPR HOB large size refugium on my 90 gallon SPS tank. I am just using it for cheato. I was curious as to how much and when the lights should be on. I do not have a ph problem so it does not matter to me if the lights are on during the day.

I had it running for 24 hrs a day but I see that the light reflects somewhat into the tank and the fish are now swimming when they are usually out for the night. Is that an issue. Do they need darkness for part of a 24 hour period?

thanks,
ken

 

[divewsharks]

a downtime for the fish is good. however running the fuge light on the reverse cycle as the display is probably best. keep O2 flowing into the tank, as photosynthesis is still going on, this consumption of CO2 will help stabilize the PH at night.

 

[ken6217]

PH is not an issue and the tank is running fine for three years. I want to make sure that i don't do anything detrimental to the fish by having the lights on for 24 hrs. Any other commnets form anyone would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ken

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

I would agree that a reverse schedule is best, that's what I do.
I don't think lighting 24/7 is natural and it is a waste of electricity.
If you are worried about light bleeding into the DT paint the back of the tank or put an opaque background or something to block it.

 

[ken6217]

Withe the lights on th efuge it is almots like 24/7 in the tank. The fuge came with the side facing the tank with black acrylic. The problem is the light on the fuge reflecting light into the tank. I'll have to try to figure something out.
Ken

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

Paint the back of the display tank.

 

[azcummins]

I had a similar issue with HOB 'fuge, but light looked like a office lamp so I could bend it down to just over the water and point it away from the tank. Inside the tank, it just looked like moonlight.

Is the back of your tank black or blue so that no light gets through?

Something else to consider would be getting a piece of black plastic, or even trimming a lid to a 5gal bucket so that forms a barrier to block out the light.

 

[ken6217]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14524672#post14524672 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Uncle Salty 05
Paint the back of the display tank.

It is.

 

[ken6217]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14524680#post14524680 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by azcummins
I had a similar issue with HOB 'fuge, but light looked like a office lamp so I could bend it down to just over the water and point it away from the tank. Inside the tank, it just looked like moonlight.

Is the back of your tank black or blue so that no light gets through?

Something else to consider would be getting a piece of black plastic, or even trimming a lid to a 5gal bucket so that forms a barrier to block out the light.

Yes, I have to do some sort of DIY for shielding the light.
Ken