fuge light schedule

jetmaker · Feb 16, 2016

I run mine on a alternating schedule lately I'm not getting as much growth wondering who runs the 24/7 method and who doesn't and the ups and downs of both.

jetmaker · Feb 16, 2016

Anyone

cmcoker · Feb 16, 2016

I believe the 24/7 started with trying to stop caleurpa from going sexual. (Edit : seems most recommend a 12-18 hr cycle from my reading on fuges latwly..) I just started running a light on my fuge so can't say too much but I have also been reading about being iron limited. Randy has some articles about dosing iron that might interest you, some have reported that when growth slowed dosing iron seemed to help. He has an easy, cheap diy iron solution using fergon iron tablets. Maybe worth a look

jetmaker · Feb 16, 2016

cmcoker said:
I believe the 24/7 started with trying to stop caleurpa from going sexual. (Edit : seems most recommend a 12-18 hr cycle from my reading on fuges latwly..) I just started running a light on my fuge so can't say too much but I have also been reading about being iron limited. Randy has some articles about dosing iron that might interest you, some have reported that when growth slowed dosing iron seemed to help. He has an easy, cheap diy iron solution using fergon iron tablets. Maybe worth a look

@Randy Holmes-Farley

jetmaker · Feb 16, 2016

So what's everybody's schedule

agfish12 · Feb 16, 2016

I run 24/7 on my IM lagoon 25 for chaeto

dbl · Feb 16, 2016

I run mine opposite display lighting. It's thought that by doing so it can aid in stabilizing pH swings. It works for me as I have to trim chaeto every 2-3 weeks. Answers will vary.

clownfish chris · Feb 16, 2016

18 hrs opposite display. I see great growth. What is your lighting? Old florescent bulbs could be a problem.

chris31759 · Feb 16, 2016

I run mine 10:00 PM until 10:00 AM with slight water movement in that portion of the sump. The opposite schedule helps maintain ph levels a little better for me at night. I am in the northern Illinois and run a gas forced hot air furnace so CO2 levels are high in the house during the winter lowering my ph. I just attached the skimmer air intake to a hose that I ran through the crawl and outside of the house. Now my ph stays above 8.0. I use a 15 watt LED for freshwater planted tanks 2"s over the sump. It is a sealed unit supported on a rail. It is an AquaRay light. They are from Europe but I picked up a scratched one at a trade show on the last day. The US wholesaler is pecan grove solutions in Texas. The light is amazing and I have to harvest algae once a week on that schedule. Prior to that I tried warm white LED's and flourescent A based bulbs and an eshopps refugium light. None of them come close to the new light. The eshopps light does work but just not as well. I think intensity is more important than time. Just remember to swish out your pods before throwing away your harvested chaeto. If you have room an algae turf scrubber does a great job reducing nitrates and phosphates. Good luck.

jetmaker · Feb 16, 2016

clownfish chris said:
18 hrs opposite display. I see great growth. What is your lighting? Old florescent bulbs could be a problem.

Nah new 65 watt led.

jetmaker · Feb 17, 2016

I actually think my skimmer is to good and removing all the nutrients I have a aqua max c01 and its a monster skimmer.

clownfish chris · Feb 17, 2016

jetmaker said:
I actually think my skimmer is to good and removing all the nutrients I have a aqua max c01 and its a monster skimmer.

That would be my guess then.

jetmaker · Feb 17, 2016

Yeah other than chaeto not growing well I don't have a tank issue. I'm going to try another light and stay on 12 hr schedule see how that works.

clownfish chris · Feb 17, 2016

I was going to say that you could back the skimmer off a bit. Then I thought if it aint broke dont fix it! I just built an algae trough on mine that sits on top of the tank. My skimmer is a bit small for my 210.