Refugium lighting

[eric33014]

Starting refugium. Have over a softball size of cheato. Have nitrates and phosphates. And a tunze 8831.

1. How long to keep lighting on on refugium? Loaded question and tons of answers. But please speak up.

2. I see everyone's cheato floating and turning. This ball just sinks. I have flow in the refugium. Is this doable or do I need to do something if so what?

Thanks in advance

 

[Marine Life]

Starting refugium. Have over a softball size of cheato. Have nitrates and phosphates. And a tunze 8831.

1. How long to keep lighting on on refugium? Loaded question and tons of answers. But please speak up.

2. I see everyone's cheato floating and turning. This ball just sinks. I have flow in the refugium. Is this doable or do I need to do something if so what?

Thanks in advance

you don't need to have your cheato rolling but it helps get light to the whole plant. But I recommend starting the light schedule at about 6-7 hours and then bump it up an hour every week until it is at 12 hours.

 

[RC Corals]

an unused powerhead can usually be put into service to keep your chaeto rollin' along. Normally 6-8 hours of light is good to start with and adapt from there depending on how it effects your Nitrates.
Several times when I've started a new refugium on a tank with higher nitrates/phosphates i've let the refugium light run 24/7 until things get where I'd like them, then cut back and see if it stays level or up/down.

 

[eric33014]

Possibly a dumb question. But no such thing as a dumb question right. Powerhead in the sump? Gph? Place low along bottom or near the top?