Refugium Lighting

[jcarnahan12]

Should refugium lights be on 24hrs? If not, what time sequence should they be on? thanks

 

[Andrew]

I would run them the same time as the tank lights are on. Some people run them 24/7 but I would be worried about the lights getting too hot.

 

[scrmbld33]

i run them on the reverse cycle,(night) not sure if it makes a difference though

 

[jcarnahan12]

Thanks, I had also heard to run them opposite of my tank lights. Basically using ambient light during the day.

 

[Gobie]

24/7 over 5 years now with no skimmer. Plants keep up with nutrient export.

 

[jcarnahan12]

Do you use a small fan on your light?

 

[Gobie]

No I just have normal output florescent light bulbs from home depot they donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t give off any heat.

 

[jcarnahan12]

I have a small 18W pc, it gets pretty warm. If I go with 24hr I will most likely have to put a small fan on it.

 

[Gobie]

Did you ever run it to see if it raises the water temp?

 

[jcarnahan12]

Just got it up and running today. So far unaffected (8hrs).

 

[Gobie]

Just monitor your temp for a few days.

 

[jcarnahan12]

Should I worry about the fixture overheating? I think that is my concern. The light is about 3" above the water level. I am hoping that the provides enough natural ventilation to prevent water temp from rising.

 

[Gobie]

I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t know about the fixture, thatââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s why I went with florescent lights they run cool.

 

[jcarnahan12]

true, I guess I could hae just as easily (and cheaper) have gone with a florescent. I will watch it and see. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it.

 

[philpot]

i have flourescents on 24/7. Only my main tank lights (T5s) seem to cause a slight increase in water temp by the end of their on time. As far as flourescents running cool i have heard this many times and have had many different types (wattage and output) - so far none have ever ran cool.
Just my experience.

 

[Fast Fred]

There are mary lights in this world, over refugiums and otherwise, that are on 24/7. EXIT lights for example are never turned off. Turning a light on and off shortens it's life. A fan might extend the fixture's life, but may be unnessisary unless you have heat issues in the tank.

Your concern about the time the light is on may be misdirected. In a refugium, it will depend on the type of Macro Algea you keep as to weather your lights should be reverse lit, or on 24/7. It is my understanding that most macros will 'go sexual' if you don't light them 24/7. Cheatomorpha being the exception.

My fuge is lit 24/7 even though I have cheato.

 

[jcarnahan12]

I picked up some cheato today. As I said, I was just worried about the fixture. Thanks for your input.