Refugium light schedule

[L0b0sa08]

Hey everyone.

How long should I have my refugium light on for? I try to have it on when the display light is off but my display lights are only on for 8 hours. I ask because it's starting to grow a lot of brown algae in the refugium and looks ugly. Any suggestions? It's a plain white light. Was also thinking of maybe switching to a purple one. Not sure. Thanks guys!

 

[Kmack0415]

I leave mine on 24 hours, I figure any algae is removing excess nutrients from the system, plus my timer I had on it kept messing up so I just took it off lol. I have a clean up crew in there that lives a happy life with plenty of food! One day I'll probably go back to opposite my DT but till then 24/7 doesn't seem to be hurting.
I've read a lot of different opinions but most are opposite DT to combat pH drop at night.
I'll be interested to see what everyone else says.
Do you have any clean up in with it?

 

[L0b0sa08]

Thank you kmack! I’ve also seen 24/7 schedule. I guess I showed throw a few snails in there. Do you have anything else in there besides snails as a clean up crew?

 

[Kmack0415]

I have two turbos about 10 hermits, 4 Trochus, 2 Nassarius, and some stomatella. I've actually been thinking of getting a urchin too but haven't gotten around to trying it yet.

 

[L0b0sa08]

Sounds like a really big refugium. Is it bare bottom at all? Because mine is.

 

[Kmack0415]

No I have a 3 inch deep bed, my sump is a 125 that I converted lol so plenty of room. If it's bare I would try some snails and hermits. Cuc is cheap and won't hurt imo.

 

[Kmack0415]

If I remember right my refugium is 46x18x18 out of the 72 inch 125

 

[L0b0sa08]

Thank you again for your help Kmack. I appreciate! Time to go get me some cuc

 

[Kmack0415]

Good luck and happy reefing!