sump lighting?

[enemec1]

I have my tank in the middle of a cycle. the fuge is a 20L tank with sand and a 5# pice of LR I had the light on over the fuge but it looks like the rock is turning brown just whare the light shins on it.

1. during this time do I continue to run the light while cycling?
2. after the tank cycles what is the lighting time frame compair to the main tank?
3. why did the rock turn brown in the fuge? also there is alage on the fuge walls should I scrap it off?

 

[Avi]

Re: sump lighting?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6797695#post6797695 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by enemec1
1. during this time do I continue to run the light while cycling

Some people say no. I think that the basis for that idea is that light will promote adventitious algaes that will take advantage of the nitrates in the water during the cycle. I left the lights on when I cycled and had no negative results so I think it's a matter of just leaving them on or not.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6797695#post6797695 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by enemec1
2. after the tank cycles what is the lighting time frame compair to the main tank??

I leave the lights on my refugium on 24/7. The more light, the more nutrient export.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6797695#post6797695 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by enemec1
3. why did the rock turn brown in the fuge? also there is alage on the fuge walls should I scrap it off?

Don't worry about that...you have sand in the fuge and there is usually silicate in sand on which diatoms thrive and that's what you're seeing on the rock as opposed to true micro-algae.. This will lessen as time goes by but if you want to speed it up or the problem does persist, put a Phosban Reactor on the side of the sump/fuge and put Rowaphos in it. That's very effective for silicate removal as well as for phosphate reduction, which couldn't hurt.