Can a Refugium be run ALL the time?

[tzabor10]

Is there any cons to keeping the Refugium on all the time? pH is never too high, I over feed(working on it) and think it looks cool. Currently teeming with copepods and baby snails.

 

[blaxsun]

Other than your chaeto growing at a really fast pace (requiring more frequent removal) and possibly sucking up a lot of your nitrates and phosphates, not really.

 

[EricR]

I'd wonder if chaeto needs any lights out rest/recovery period but really have no idea.

 

[exnisstech]

I've run mine on 24 hrs for a while with no issues. Currently on 12 hour cycles. I think some of the creatures are nocturnal. Fuge is a good place for critters. At times I think my fuge is more interesting than the DT
Micro brittle star are just one of the cool critters in mine

 

[blaxsun]

I'd wonder if chaeto needs any lights out rest/recovery period but really have no idea.

I don't think it does, but it will probably experience explosive growth if lit 24/7.

 

[MnFish1]

Is there any cons to keeping the Refugium on all the time? pH is never too high, I over feed(working on it) and think it looks cool. Currently teeming with copepods and baby snails.

Short answer - yes. Looking at yours - I might consider adding more flow. As it seems like some of your cheat is covered with something - or is not doing well. (I don't mean its bad - just it could be better?

 

[blecki]

Do you mean the lights? Otherwise this is very confusing.

I keep the lights on 24/7. Usually let the chaeto grow until it's a nice dense mat. Once the bottom starts to die off it's perfect.

 

[tzabor10]

Do you mean the lights? Otherwise this is very confusing.

I keep the lights on 24/7. Usually let the chaeto grow until it's a nice dense mat. Once the bottom starts to die off it's perfect.

Yes, the lights. Bought a GRO with the initial setup. Then realized my protein skimmer was too big. HOB is the only option. The pump is always on. But it can be a bit noisy.

 

[MnFish1]

Yes, the lights. Bought a GRO with the initial setup. Then realized my protein skimmer was too big. HOB is the only option. The pump is always on. But it can be a bit noisy.

You can very easily leave your lights on 24/7.

 

[tzabor10]

Short answer - yes. Looking at yours - I might consider adding more flow. As it seems like some of your cheat is covered with something - or is not doing well. (I don't mean it’s bad - just it could be better?

Great point. I have been looking for a small power head, but no luck. Darn this HOB nonsense. My skimmer was too big and crowded out my Refugium dreams. The stuff you see on the CHEATO is oxygen. There are little bubbles all over it. Some detritus on the bottom though. Cleaning it scares me. Don’t want to wipe out my pods. Cheers!

 

[LouisianaReef]

Great point. I have been looking for a small power head, but no luck. Darn this HOB nonsense. My skimmer was too big and crowded out my Refugium dreams. The stuff you see on the CHEATO is oxygen. There are little bubbles all over it. Some detritus on the bottom though. Cleaning it scares me. Don’t want to wipe out my pods. Cheers!

Just clean carefully and the pods will be fine

 

[tzabor10]

Just clean carefully and the pods will be fine

Thanks. Last time I cleaned it was also the first time. So I was not sure.

 

[exnisstech]

Thanks. Last time I cleaned it was also the first time. So I was not sure.

We're supposed to clean our fuge? My bristle worms are living in the crap on the bottom and they are oh so cute and I don't want to disturb they're habitat.

 

[Lavey29]

We're supposed to clean our fuge? My bristle worms are living in the crap on the bottom and they are oh so cute and I don't want to disturb they're habitat.

I agree, I never clean the fuge or the sump.

 

[Lavey29]

OP yes you can but why other then astetics? Most microfauna there are nocturnal so give them their night cover to proliferate your biome.

 

[exnisstech]

I think a lot of people look at chaeto as the main reason to have a fuge. Life forms are the reason I like a fuge. The nutrient removal of chaeto is not even noticeable on my systems but I have the chaeto so the critters have it to live in. These days I don't even harvest my chaeto untill it's over flowing. I hate even doing it then because I can never get all the brittle stars and pods out.

 

[Lavey29]

I think a lot of people look at chaeto as the main reason to have a fuge. Life forms are the reason I like a fuge. The nutrient removal of chaeto is not even noticeable on my systems but I have the chaeto so the critters have it to live in. These days I don't even harvest my chaeto untill it's over flowing. I hate even doing it then because I can never get all the brittle stars and pods out.

Same here, I see it as natural filtration and microfauna that eventually gets to my DT. I think the nutrients removal is exaggerate.

 

[tzabor10]

Because I overfeed and need to remove nutrients.

 

[Duzzy]

I've run mine on 24 hrs for a while with no issues. Currently on 12 hour cycles. I think some of the creatures are nocturnal. Fuge is a good place for critters. At times I think my fuge is more interesting than the DT
Micro brittle star are just one of the cool critters in mine

Macro algae from what I understand photosynthesizes therefore needs night to exhale/process co2 and day to inhale/process o2

 

[Tangs-A-Lot]

AlgaeBarn recommends 8 hour night cycle: