Refugium questions

[Hallowhead]

Howdy,

I have several questions :

1. Should I have my light directly above the water for the refugium chamber ? Or should it be suspended above the entire sump? Does having it just above refugium stop growth of algae outside the chamber? In the photo attached middle chamber is my fuge and my light is currently mounted on the 2*4 above . Should I build a small mount to have it directly above the fuge chamber ?

2. Should I add pods along with my chaeto? What are the benefits ?

3. What's a good photo period for growing ? 6 hours off hours of DT ?

 

[MERKEY]

I don't run a sump so I cant answer %100 but I will add a bit of what I "think I have learned here".

Light should only be over fuge/cheato.

Having just on that chamber doesnt stop it from growing else where but it gives it a space that "it wants to grow".

You want the light to "not " bleed into other chambers if possible but 2" is pretty close so I wouldnt really lower it much more.

Pods will grow regardless, but if you want to keep a manderin or filefish, or another pod eating creature, you want to have that puppy stocked with pods!

Your photo period should be opposite of your DT. Mine runs when my DT lights go out until I get up in the morn.

Many more will chime in but I hope this helps a little bit

 

[Hallowhead]

I don't run a sump so I cant answer %100 but I will add a bit of what I "think I have learned here".

Light should only be over fuge/cheato.

Having just on that chamber doesnt stop it from growing else where but it gives it a space that "it wants to grow".

You want the light to "not " bleed into other chambers if possible but 2" is pretty close so I wouldnt really lower it much more.

Pods will grow regardless, but if you want to keep a manderins or filefish, or another pod eating creature, you want to have that puppy stocked with pods!

Your photo period should be opposite of your DT. Mine runs when my DT lights go out until I get up in the morn.

Many more will chime in but I hope this helps a little bit

I don't have any pod eating fish but in thinking of just positive benefits. I'm nervous about the overflow of light - my sump is clean right now and I hope to keep it that way haha

 

[MERKEY]

I don't have any pod eating fish but in thinking of just positive benefits. I'm nervous about the overflow of light - my sump is clean right now and I hope to keep it that way haha

Then I wouldn't worry about stocking pods. They will already grow in your tank and there is no other benefit to stock them. The chaeto is a nitrate export so the larger the tank the more chaeto needed...well that also depends on bio load so lol

Dont worry about overflow of your light too much, I have seen some strip LEDS played right on the top, almost touching the cheato, but that always made me nervouswith the higher watt LEDS ...what kind of light are you using?

 

[piranhaman00]

Howdy,

I have several questions :

1. Should I have my light directly above the water for the refugium chamber ? Or should it be suspended above the entire sump? Does having it just above refugium stop growth of algae outside the chamber? In the photo attached middle chamber is my fuge and my light is currently mounted on the 2*4 above . Should I build a small mount to have it directly above the fuge chamber ?

2. Should I add pods along with my chaeto? What are the benefits ?

3. What's a good photo period for growing ? 6 hours off hours of DT ?

1. I have my directly above chamger. Im not sure how people do it who run expensive lights that are not waterproof. That would make me nervous. I run a waterproof grow light from amazon that sits a few inches above the waterline. It is completely covered in salt that would destroy normal lights. Still works and if it breaks I will buy a new one, 20$ or so. If its above the whole sump you would get algae growing everwhere imo. Tunze makes that waterproof light that I wanted to try but they ran out over black friday.

2. I dont see the benefit of adding pods personally, pods will appear in extreme numbers when you add the cheato.

3. 12 hours off DT and then change it depending on nutrient export.

 

[Njbjr]

If your worried about salt on the light make sure there is not splashing or bubbles. And have some air flow.

 

[Hallowhead]

Light is 20 off Amazon not worried about salt or water - just wanted to see everyone's opinion - I'll make a small frame and suspend it close to water

 

[piranhaman00]

Light is 20 off Amazon not worried about salt or water - just wanted to see everyone's opinion - I'll make a small frame and suspend it close to water

Oh ya nice, then hang it real low to water.

 

[Njbjr]

I would give one last bit of advice. You can add plastic shaders real easy to any light to focus and cut down on light overflow. Also there is no substitute for par. So I would get two of those cheap lights just to be safe. And if one breaks you aren’t panicking about your macro dying.