Refugium Light Schedule

[tyler-b]

I’ve recently started a sump/fuge with no success in the fuge area. I had ordered some red macros that have yet to thrive however, I am getting some nuisance algae growth (GHA) in the fuge section. I just recently added a decent size chaeto ball with hope for better nutrient control success. My question is with my light what would be the recommended length of time the fuge light stay on? Thanks!

 

[mtraylor]

I can't see the picture you posted. But you could put a clip on light from home depot with 6500k bulb in it and run 8 hours at night and it should grow for you real well

 

[mtraylor]

You do have to have nutrients for it as well

 

[theMeat]

My fuge was doing great until I put a light like that on it. Figured bigger was better, not. Got gha. Went back to cheap grow light, took a few months, gha gone.
Best time to run it is when display tank lights are off, which will lessen ph swings. Anywhere from 8 to 14 hours a day is what I’d recommend

 

[mtraylor]

The homedepot light is like 18bucks all together and always works.

 

[tyler-b]

Thanks for the replies! I was also beginning to think the light was too powerful leading to GHA out competing my small quantity of macros. Probably will get a cheap clamp on and see how that does. If all goes well, I’ll be throwing chunks of chaeto out in no time!

 

[Sold4jc7]

I run my fuge light based on my nutrients. I've got mine running 6 hours now that everything stabilized. I have some red macro, and it has been a slow grower. I noticed my fuge was nasty as the tank matured. I dealt with gha and cyano. Time and Zeobak seemed to clean it up for me. I'd rather have GHA in the fuge than the display.

 

[Lavey29]

How long has your tank been set up?

 

[tyler-b]

How long has your tank been set up?

This tank has been up and running for a little over a year, but many of the rock and corals came from a smaller system I had since 2013. The tank has nutrients for sure I just don’t test for them

 

[Lavey29]

This tank has been up and running for a little over a year, but many of the rock and corals came from a smaller system I had since 2013. The tank has nutrients for sure I just don’t test for them

Ok, you should be able to establish a fuge if you have proper nitrates and phosphate in your tank. I recommend a Neptune Gro light. Little pricey but works excellent and you can position it so you get no light spill in the sump. I remove football size chaeto every other week and no nuisance algae.