Refigium hours.
- Thread starter Prince916
- Start date
- Tagged users None
That would be +1
aquarius77
¡ Viva la revolución!
I light mine when the main tanks lights are not on. 24 hour lighting is unnatural and i dont quite get the point. I know they use 24 hour cycles in some specific applications but i honestly feel like the plants need some sort of rest period. I dont know, maybe im old fashioned, hopefully someone can explain it to us and ill change my POV.
Reverse cycle here too....when I remember to turn it off...lol. Otherwise, 24hrs, which I know isn't the best option.
Pitcom
Not Reef Safe
Chaeto does not need an off period. Here is the point of 24 hour of photo period. First off, most Macro Algaes do not need an off period. They will continue to grow and eat throughout the 24 hour period. Secondly, this preevents most algaes from ever going sexual. Some macros used in the salt industry can release toxins into your system if they go sexual. Alot of marine algae and plankton studies show that algaes usually go sexual in spring and autumn months. Its believed that the natural light cycle causes this. I guess the best part of the 24 hr photo period is you get tons of growth and no risk of sexual reproduction.
aquarius77
¡ Viva la revolución!
That makes good sense to me Pitcom. I use calupera because thats what LOVES to grow in my tank, going sexual would suck... I also keep a mangrove tree in the fuge, how would the 24/7 affect it?
missionsix66
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2008
- Messages
- 22
- Reaction score
- 0
There are different reasons for different lighting schedules. And chaeto does require a night period. As most of it's growth is then.
The gist of the 24 hour cycle has mainly already been mentioned. To reduce the risk of sporulation by caulerpa species. What happens is normally a problem because CO2 is abundantly released into the system and causes issues with ph. Not to mention the nutrient release.
Bad lighting and/or weird lighting schedules freak the macro into thinking it's in trouble and begin to go "sexual".
Mainly: Macroalgaes release oxygen during the day and and CO2 during the night. This is where the 12/12 comes into play. Creating more of a stable ph and oxygen saturation.
It is my understanding that caulerpa species are more effective for nutrient export than chaeto. IMO the risks outweigh the benefits. I have a refugium that is loaded with chaeto on an opposite lighting schedule. My po4 no3 are both at un-detectable levels.
The gist of the 24 hour cycle has mainly already been mentioned. To reduce the risk of sporulation by caulerpa species. What happens is normally a problem because CO2 is abundantly released into the system and causes issues with ph. Not to mention the nutrient release.
Bad lighting and/or weird lighting schedules freak the macro into thinking it's in trouble and begin to go "sexual".
Mainly: Macroalgaes release oxygen during the day and and CO2 during the night. This is where the 12/12 comes into play. Creating more of a stable ph and oxygen saturation.
It is my understanding that caulerpa species are more effective for nutrient export than chaeto. IMO the risks outweigh the benefits. I have a refugium that is loaded with chaeto on an opposite lighting schedule. My po4 no3 are both at un-detectable levels.
Pitcom
Not Reef Safe
I have those too. The leaves fall off at first until it adjusts to the 24 hr light. I must add i dont run a skimmer on this system. That's the real reason i do 24 hr period. My Mangrove just started to grow its leaves back, other than that its doing real well.
Pitcom
Not Reef Safe
Not to stray far from the topic since the original poster just asked a simple question. But every article i've ever read on chaeto cites it does not in any way need a night period. I'd like to see a link if you have one. I'm always interested in reading. Why would chaeto grow during the off cycle?
Last edited:
missionsix66
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2008
- Messages
- 22
- Reaction score
- 0
Pitcom
Not Reef Safe
That's just not a true statement when it comes to algae. I'll try and find the couple studies i read for you guys to read on algae.
Then we'll have to agree to disagree. It's basic biology as far as I'm concerned. There is not an ecological system in the world that has photosynthetic organisms and is constantly lit. I'm not interested in an argument on this subject and will bow out of this thread with that statement.
Gary
missionsix66
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2008
- Messages
- 22
- Reaction score
- 0
I would run the fuge lighting 12-14 hours on an opposite schedule than dt.
Pitcom
Not Reef Safe
The saying goes, ignorance is bliss. This has nothing to do with a land plant and basic biology. This is about algae in the home medium. Chaetomorphia is not a plant with root and leaf structures. It does not need a night cycle for co2 transport or carbohydrate creation for growth promotion of root, stem or leaf structures. If you are running a skimmerless system, you will see the most benefit from running a 24 hr lighting schedule because you get constant nutrient export. You also maintain ph levels just as you would with a reverse photo period. This was not a question of wheter it happens in nautre or not, its a question as whats good for the fish tank. For instance, there are many studies on wheat which show that it grows best under 24 hours of light because it doesn't need a dark cycle. Alot of Medical marijuana is also grown under 24 hours of light before flowering to quicken plant growth and yield a faster harvest. Just because it isn't so in nature, does not make it wrong. It's far from basic IMO.
Really, growing chaeto at any rate is a good thing IMO, and i wish the originator of the thread the best of luck growing their algae.
rick van vladricken
spsman
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2008
- Messages
- 43
- Reaction score
- 0
missionsix666: I have had chato for 4yrs with 24\7 of light if you listen to ecosystem who invented the technology he tells you 24\7. So Pitcom is right
