Running Lights 24 hrs a day

[bobnicaragua]

I moved some rocks to my sump with gsp, a red mushroom, and some random polyps. The sump is lit 24 - 7 with a tunze red grow light. So far, 3 days in, all the corals look happy.

I doubt this is optimal, but maybe some corals don't need a dark period?

 

[lapin]

Yes they will need to rest.

 

[bobnicaragua]

One week in and all the corals in the sump under 24 hr light are open and look happy.

 

[laezur]

Struggling to see how you haven’t bleached them yet.

Seems like it will only be a matter of time before the Zooxanthellae just abandon ship, or the coral expells them and then they will bleach. It’s an animal just like your fish, and needs periods of darkness to rest.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I just threw the rocks in the sump because I don't want then in my sps tank. I wasn't really expecting them to survive. I'll report back in a month or so.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

I moved some rocks to my sump with gsp, a red mushroom, and some random polyps. The sump is lit 24 - 7 with a tunze red grow light. So far, 3 days in, all the corals look happy.

I doubt this is optimal, but maybe some corals don't need a dark period?

The natural rhythm of the planet, including the reefs have day and night Cycles. Life evolved with this pattern Some taking advantage of the day and some the night. Some move between both but rest is needed no matter which world u occupy.

 

[w00hz]

I just threw the rocks in the sump because I don't want then in my sps tank. I wasn't really expecting them to survive. I'll report back in a month or so.

Any updates?

 

[bobnicaragua]

Cheato has completely overgrown the chamber. Nothing on the rocks below is getting enough light to survive.

 

[w00hz]

Cheato has completely overgrown the chamber. Nothing on the rocks below is getting enough light to survive.

does the chaeto still receive 24hrs of light?

 

[bobnicaragua]

I was running caulerpa back then, but it died off and I’ve been growing cheato for the last few years. The sump lights are on overnight now.

 

[w00hz]

I was running caulerpa back then, but it died off and I’ve been growing cheato for the last few years. The sump lights are on overnight now.

I see, thanks for sharing! Was really hoping 24hr lighting could grow a lot of chaeto haha

 

[bobnicaragua]

I see, thanks for sharing! Was really hoping 24hr lighting could grow a lot of chaeto haha

I’ve noticed a significant decrease in nitrates as you add more light to your refugium. I have to use GFO for phosphates.

 

[w00hz]

Could that be due to increased nutrient consumption of the macro?

 

[bobnicaragua]

Could that be due to increased nutrient consumption of the macro?

Absolutely, stronger light, photoperiod length, and size of the refugium all impact nutrient consumption. Refugiums primarily impact nitrates not phosphates.

I tried running three tunze lights to lower phosphates and all I did was lower nitrates to undetectable levels. My acros paled out and I went back to one light.

 

[w00hz]

Absolutely, stronger light, photoperiod length, and size of the refugium all impact nutrient consumption. Refugiums primarily impact nitrates not phosphates.

I tried running three tunze lights to lower phosphates and all I did was lower nitrates to undetectable levels. My acros paled out and I went back to one light.

What’s your phosphate at now? I’m currently trying to lower phosphates too, just added a large amount of macro last night

 

[bobnicaragua]

I use GFO mixed with carbon in a filter bag to keep phosphates between .05-.13

The refugium keeps my nitrates around 2-4.

The filter bag is passive and less aggressive than a reactor, so you are less likely to strip all the phosphates out of the water. The reactor is more efficient.

 

[Tahoe61]

I use GFO mixed with carbon in a filter bag to keep phosphates between .05-.13

The refugium keeps my nitrates around 2-4.

The filter bag is passive and less aggressive than a reactor, so you are less likely to strip all the phosphates out of the water. The reactor is more efficient.

Very very nice.

 

[JonoH]

I see, thanks for sharing! Was really hoping 24hr lighting could grow a lot of chaeto haha

I run mine 24hrs a day - have done for well over a year now, and it grows chaeto like crazy.

Harvest a 20L bucket full most months.

 

[w00hz]

I run mine 24hrs a day - have done for well over a year now, and it grows chaeto like crazy.

Harvest a 20L bucket full most months.

Is this in your refugium? Do you notice any negative effects to your pH and do you end up dosing phos/nitrate?

 

[JonoH]

Is this in your refugium? Do you notice any negative effects to your pH and do you end up dosing phos/nitrate?

Yep, my fuge.

No negative effects i have seen - PH sits pretty stable around 8.2, i figured at night it could do with the boost anyway.

My tank has always been fairly high in nutrients, sitting at Nitrate at 17 and Phosphate at 0.12 currently.