Pods in refugium, light duration

[Palting]

I have been using the refugium with macro algae as a nitrate export, and had the lights on 20 hours a day. Then I seeded it a few times with copepods, and I'm wondering if I need to cut the light duration down. Since copepods seem more active in the dark, would they populate better with a longer dark duration, or does it not matter since they are safe in the refugium regardless of light?

Thanks!!

 

[SoLiD]

Yes they are much more visible at night, but if you have a dense thick crop of macro it shouldn't matter as that will provide some shaded areas that they will be more active in. BTW, what kind of macro is in there.

 

[divewsharks]

if there is no threat, they should become quite active even during the light.

 

[Palting]

Thanks for the replies. I purposely didn't state what macro, because I didn't want this thread to be a macroalgae discussion. It's grape caulerpa and gracillaria.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

I always just run my fuge lights opposite of the DT and it has worked well for me. (12 hours each) Lots of pods, stable PH and no wasted electricity.

 

[Humu Humu]

I've read it is good to give the macro algae a rest of 6 to 8 hours per day for maximum growth. Opposite cycle of the DT is a good idea. Watch out for the caulerpa going sexual if you decide to cycle the lights though.

 

[Palting]

I have been doing the reverse cycle, but obviously with a lot of light on overlap. Currently at 4 hours lights off, maybe I'll up the lights off period to 6 hours.