When should the refugium's powerhead (Intake pump) be on?

[tlea000]

Should my refugium's powerhead (pump) only be on when the refugium's lights are on or should it always be on? I figured if the lights are off, the algae is just resting, so no flow is needed? Also, how much nitrate reduction (%'s) can I expect a 5 gallon refugium (chaetomorpha) to have on a 100 gallon tank with normal filtration?

 

[Bender]

My fuge is fed 24/7 with water - IMO stagnate water is bad water, and there are many things living on the Cheato that would benefit from flow.

The nitrate reduction will be dependent on your bioload, flow, lighting, etc. There are so many variables.

 

[Barnabie Mejia]

I have a question on this.
in my sump I am not using chaeto or algae in it, I just run a filter sock, marinepure spheres (darn near 2 gallons), and a skimmer, would it be good to run a powerhead down there? or just let the sump do its thing?

 

[Bender]

Baranbie,
I am no expert by any means, but IMO you should let it "do it's thing". Depending on the flow in your tank, the lower flow area is good to be able to trap detritus for easy removal. I've always kept some CUC in mine for algae control when I didn't utilize it as a fuge.

 

[don_chuwish]

Should my refugium's powerhead (pump) only be on when the refugium's lights are on or should it always be on? I figured if the lights are off, the algae is just resting, so no flow is needed? Also, how much nitrate reduction (%'s) can I expect a 5 gallon refugium (chaetomorpha) to have on a 100 gallon tank with normal filtration?

Pump always on - gotta keep water moving.

I have a question on this.
in my sump I am not using chaeto or algae in it, I just run a filter sock, marinepure spheres (darn near 2 gallons), and a skimmer, would it be good to run a powerhead down there? or just let the sump do its thing?

Some people put a small powerhead in a refugium chamber to tumble chaeto. But otherwise no need.