Refugium lighting reverse cycle light spill over

[Palmettopark]

I have a AC110 converted into a fuge with Chaeto in it on a reverse cycle for some time now 20 gallon long, 150w MH 14k bulb, Coralife mini lighting fuge, Aqua C remora skimmer, with great results. My question is with light spill over into the tank at night not giving my corals complete darkness is it bad? Should the main tank have complete darkness to thrive, or is it ok to run the fuge light at night with massive light spill over? Im thinking of running fuge light same time as main lights any issues?

 

[Fraggle Rock2]

I have the same question.

I couldn't find much information so bumping this thread.

 

[edwing206]

no it's not bad at all. i have moon lights that light the tank all night.

 

[slowECUdiver]

the theory/reason behind running the refugium lights opposite the main lights is to help minimize pH swings.

i run a fuge light on a modded AC filter as well for my nano; its on the same time as main lights because i don't want any "spill over" at night as you put it. downside to running the fuge light the same hours as the main light is that the pH drops at night. but i think corals need a dark period as much as they need their photo-periods.

 

[oldreefer76]

There is rarely any total darkness over reefs in the wild and some spill over from pc fuge lighting vs mh day lighting is nothing to worry about and is not much different from moon lighting on a tank or the moon shining on a wild reef

 

[ELCHUPACABRA]

I have spill over and it has never been a problem, and the purpose of a fuge is far greater than just PH swings. I say run the 24hour light cycle.