What do you use to block refugium light from skimmer?

[Giraffe0621]

I'm sure there's a thousand different things to use, but want to find an effective method of blocking light getting from my regufium light into my skimmer chamber that doesn't look hideous or temporary.

Using the Kessil H80 which is growing Chaeto really well, even in the week since I installed it, but I'm noticing algae growing on my skimmer that wasn't there previously. No other, unexpected algae growth in the display tank itself.

Thanks!
Amanda

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'm sure there's a thousand different things to use, but want to find an effective method of blocking light getting from my regufium light into my skimmer chamber that doesn't look hideous or temporary.

Using the Kessil H80 which is growing Chaeto really well, even in the week since I installed it, but I'm noticing algae growing on my skimmer that wasn't there previously. No other, unexpected algae growth in the display tank itself.

Thanks!
Amanda

I ended up getting a piece of black acrylic and putting it in-between the fuge chamber and the final chamber where my skimmer was. On a side note, I have an H80 as well and am not having good luck with growing my chaeto, what setting and intensity do you have yours at and how far off the waters surface and how big is your fuge? Sorry for all the questions

 

[Giraffe0621]

I ended up getting a piece of black acrylic and putting it in-between the fuge chamber and the final chamber where my skimmer was. On a side note, I have an H80 as well and am not having good luck with growing my chaeto, what setting and intensity do you have yours at and how far off the waters surface and how big is your fuge? Sorry for all the questions

It may be temporary success! The tank is only about 2 months old, chaeto has been there a few weeks.

I have the Trigger 26 sump, so the fuge is 7.75" x 12.5". I have the Kessil H80 mounted with a Kessil mini gooseneck, which once it's bent, leaves the light 10" off the water.

The light setting I've messed with a bit, but settled on 1/2 way between "Grow" and "Blue" as I like to be able to see what's going on in there, and that's the most natural light in my eyes at least. I've been leaving the fuge light on overnight, and then off during the day, which varies, as I've yet to add a timer for the light, and my shift timing is all over the map. But the chaeto doesn't seem to object, at least not yet!

Thanks for the suggestion about the black acrylic -- you're talking about a thick/sturdy piece, right? Not something like the acrlyic on the back of a tank?

 

[Roy 9121]

I didn't even know I needed to do this.

 

[Crabs McJones]

It may be temporary success! The tank is only about 2 months old, chaeto has been there a few weeks.

I have the Trigger 26 sump, so the fuge is 7.75" x 12.5". I have the Kessil H80 mounted with a Kessil mini gooseneck, which once it's bent, leaves the light 10" off the water.

The light setting I've messed with a bit, but settled on 1/2 way between "Grow" and "Blue" as I like to be able to see what's going on in there, and that's the most natural light in my eyes at least. I've been leaving the fuge light on overnight, and then off during the day.

Thanks for the suggestion about the black acrylic -- you're talking about a thick/sturdy piece, right? Not something like the acrlyic on the back of a tank?

Correct, I purchased a piece from Menards and cut it to the size that I needed and drilled holes for the water to pass through should my sponge become clogged. then superglued it into place. I'll post a picture later today when I get home.

 

[Giraffe0621]

I didn't even know I needed to do this.

Not saying you have to -- I read on R2R somewhere that the algae in your skimmer will increase the amount of maintenance required, and maybe cut down on it's lifespan.

It's just unsightly to me, so I'd rather do something about it now, before it becomes a bigger problem.

 

[Forsaken77]

That's the exact reason I killed off my fuge, because algae was growing all over the sump.

Don't the Trigger sumps have colored acrylic to block light spectrums? Or did you get the clear one?

Siliconing in some white acrylic, so the light reflects back into the fuge, would be ideal. Or I would imagine you could also use big filter pads between the chambers that stick up out of the water. That would also add the extra benefit of keeping detritus out. Don't know if your skimmer is before or after the fuge.

 

[Giraffe0621]

That's the exact reason I killed off my fuge, because algae was growing all over the sump.

Don't the Trigger sumps have colored acrylic to block light spectrums? Or did you get the clear one?

I have the Emerald, so the acrylic between the skimmer & refugium sections is green, but with the way I have the light mounted allows light to hit the skimmer at an angle from above. Maybe I'm doing something wrong -- this is my first reef tank & my first sump.

 

[Forsaken77]

I have the Emerald, so the acrylic between the skimmer & refugium sections is green, but with the way I have the light mounted allows light to hit the skimmer at an angle from above. Maybe I'm doing something wrong -- this is my first reef tank & my first sump.

I edited my post after you replied

 

[Forsaken77]

I have the Emerald, so the acrylic between the skimmer & refugium sections is green, but with the way I have the light mounted allows light to hit the skimmer at an angle from above. Maybe I'm doing something wrong -- this is my first reef tank & my first sump.

I would try lowering the light like halfway more. You'll get more light in the fuge area and less everywhere else. Just make sure water doesn't splash it.

 

[jduong916]

It is like plastic cardboard. Thin plastic with ribs down the center. I cut two ribs out and inserted it over the baffle. Cost like a dollar from the plastic store for a 1.5' x 3' piece.

 

[Crabs McJones]

It is like plastic cardboard. Thin plastic with ribs down the center. I cut two ribs out and inserted it over the baffle. Cost like a dollar from the plastic store for a 1.5' x 3' piece.

Any chance you want to sell that H380! lol

 

[jduong916]

Any chance you want to sell that H380! lol

It's one of the best purchases I've made for my tank. I couldnt get chaeto to grow with the Home Depot bulbs. I installed the H380 and bought a handful of chaeto and calurpa. In less than two weeks they grew to about the size of a football. It hasn't been growing much lately, I think it's hit a stable point. My nitrates and phosphate are undectable now, which I've never had for an extended period of time.

 

[Crabs McJones]

It's one of the best purchases I've made for my tank. I couldnt get chaeto to grow with the Home Depot bulbs. I installed the H380 and bought a handful of chaeto and calurpa. In less than two weeks they grew to about the size of a football. It hasn't been growing much lately, I think it's hit a stable point. My nitrates and phosphate are undectable now, which I've never had for an extended period of time.

I've got the H80 and I just don't think its powerful enough

 

[smh254]

Here's what I have done temporarily. The lid from an old Salt bucket.

I have ordered this piece of acrylic to cut and install.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/222652492826

 

[smh254]

Here's what I have done temporarily. The lid from an old Salt bucket.

I have ordered this piece of acrylic to cut and install.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/222652492826

Got the acrylic in today and installed it to the best of my ability.

 

[Giraffe0621]

Got the acrylic in today and installed it to the best of my ability.

Awesome - thank you for the update! Can I ask what you used to cut the acrylic?

 

[smh254]

I scored and snapped it to the size I needed. Then I use a Dremel to cut the notches.

 

[smh254]

Thinking about using what's left over for the other side.

 

[madweazl]

I've got the H80 and I just don't think its powerful enough

Illuminated by a single H80 mounted 8" above the water using "Grow" with 100% intensity. Refugium dimensions are 14x16x10 (LxWxH). Your issue isn't the light.