Sump/Fuge Lighting Concern

wyattray · Mar 15, 2017

I am concerned with my current fuge lighting, this is a fairly new tank about 6 months old but Ive noticed this continuation of algae growth from outside the "Fuge Area". I understand that I cant contain all the light to one area but maybe im using the light in the wrong way or the light is way to intense. Im constantly cleaning the sump breaking up algea which is spreading near the skimmer.

The light used to sit about 6 inches off the water but it was burning my Chaeto, and I was constantly flipping it on a daily basis. So I moved it up to the top of the cabinet.

Should I try to come up with a better lighting solution, or should I ditch the fuge all together and put my bioreactor in there. I have two blennys but I dont know if they go for pods or just algea.

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 15, 2017

You can fashion a "skirt" for the fixture from cardboard or tape or fabric..

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Also the sump wont stay clean forever. By nature of its function, it will collect detritus..

Velcro · Mar 22, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
You can fashion a "skirt" for the fixture from cardboard or tape or fabric..

Also the sump wont stay clean forever. By nature of its function, it will collect detritus..

Some of these LEDs don't do well with skirts like that. The heat sink isn't able to dissipate the heat well enough