Refugium

[Aaron88]

Hello Reefers,

So I have a 40g cube and have one of those rear sumps. There’s room for me to add a refugium so I did. But I was wondering about the light cycle, should I have it on 24hrs/ 12hrs or should I have it on the opposite schedule of my main display?

 

[lapin]

I would do it the same as your main tank for starters.

 

[Aaron88]

For starters? Then what?

 

[Marco S]

I run mine all night only. As soon as my tank lights go off my refugium light ramps up for half an hour and them turns off half an hour before my tank lights turn on. I read that this keeps the PH in check overnight and since I was having problems with my PH dipping to around 7.5 I decided to run it that way. Since I have been doing that, (about 2 months now) my PH doesn't go below 7.8 now.

 

[BeejReef]

I've heard of some that run it 24/7 with good results, but I'd personally not.
Depends on why you're running it. Are you mainly using it as nutrient export? If so, run it 18 hours a day and dial back the light when your N and P get to where u want them.

If you're running it mostly to offset ph swings, run in 10p.m. to 7a.m.

If it's just for pods, run it whenever u like