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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/27/2006 10:10:51 AM
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| 56g -36x18x20, 80# LR. 55g Sump - 48x12x18/Refugium 28", 25# LR in drain chamber. About 57g circulating water in system. I am very new to SW aquaria. I just set up my tank about 2 wks ago and my question is about the photoperiod. The main tank and the refugium both have DSB at 5-6". The main tank has a 175w MH and 2 65w actinics. The refugium is lit by 2 18" T8 Daylight Flourescents. There is no livestock yet except the detrivores. There is some chaeto and some ulva mat algae in the refugium. I want to produce planton for eventual introduction of fish and corals and also use the macroalgae for nutrient export. I have been informed that a photoperiod for the main tank of 12-14hrs is adequate. My questions: How do I light the refugium to acheive my goals? Continuously? 12-14hrs same as main? Same period opposite of main? Are these lights adequate for the algae? Should the MH light be on for the entire photoperiod? Many thanks and please feel free to enlighten (pun intended) me in any way. Since I started researching this hobby I find myself continuously checking my assumptions.
Annette
-56g no fish, no coral -36x18x20 w/6" DSB, 80# LR on sand, (1) 175w MH and (2) 65w act CF. Small queen conch, sm Tapes clams, ceriths, trochus, stomatella varia, black spiny urchin, many micro stars, growing bristle worms, other too small to ID infauna
-55g Sump[48x12x18]/Refugium 28" w/ 6" DSB, 25# LR in drain chamber. (2) 18" 15w CF Daylights. Small queen conch, 2" cleaner clams, ceriths, columbellids, many micro stars, growing bristle worms, amphipods, other too small to ID infauna. Macros in sump: chaeto, gracilarius, ulva. About 57g circ water. Est. 2/4/06.
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/27/2006 9:31:18 PM
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I use a 12hr on/off photoperiod during the late fall to early spring,then use a 12.5hr on/11.5hr off for the rest of the year.For my halides,I run them 8hrs.I have the actinics set to go on 2hrs before and 2hrs after the H goes off.With only a single 175,I might go with a 10hr photoperiod for your halides.
If your goal for your refuge is growing plankton/copepods,you might be bettter off growing algae turfs in your refuge for them to graze on rather growing macroalgae.
For your refuge photoperiod,this is a topic that I'll leave for Anthony.
Many advise a photoperiod for your refugium thats opposite of your display.The reasoning is that while the night cycle is happening in your display,the PH is lowered due to respiration.By having an opposite photoperiod fo your refugium,the plant life continues to undergo photosynthesis.This process uses CO2 unlike respiration which releases it as its by-product.Therefore,the excess CO2 is being used by the algae/plant life in the refugium.This wil help stabilize your PH.
In the ocean,there is a natural rise and fall of PH through the course of 24hrs.I feel nature knows best so i fall on the other side of the fence from whats typically advised and use the same photoperiod as your display.
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/27/2006 10:10:51 AM
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Thanks for your input, I need all I can get. Anthony?
Annette
-56g no fish, no coral -36x18x20 w/6" DSB, 80# LR on sand, (1) 175w MH and (2) 65w act CF. Small queen conch, sm Tapes clams, ceriths, trochus, stomatella varia, black spiny urchin, many micro stars, growing bristle worms, other too small to ID infauna
-55g Sump[48x12x18]/Refugium 28" w/ 6" DSB, 25# LR in drain chamber. (2) 18" 15w CF Daylights. Small queen conch, 2" cleaner clams, ceriths, columbellids, many micro stars, growing bristle worms, amphipods, other too small to ID infauna. Macros in sump: chaeto, gracilarius, ulva. About 57g circ water. Est. 2/4/06.
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/27/2006 9:31:18 PM
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I think the 2-18" T8's would be fine for growing microalgae turfs but for macroalgae like Chaeto,you might want to add some more lighting.I
know a fellow reefer who uses those HD 75w PC(3000k) floodlights to light his refuge and grows chaeto very fast.Anyways,you can find some inexpensive lights from your hardware store that are capable of lighting your refuge.If you got the $$ to spend,a 70wMH coupled with your T8 pair would be another good alternative IMO.
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Group: Moderators
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Cheers and welcome to the hobby  Please do take the time if you haven't already to see my list of suggested books/reading as well as hot topic threads and articles in the sticky atop this forum titled "Fav links..." Re: your question IMO - light this tank on a reverse (from your display) 12/12 split for pH stability and the benefit of the algae you have selected, which do not endure full time illumination long term (they need to respire!) 24hr lighting is only for the few/rare species that will go into stasis like Caulerpa. Even then its a bad idea IMO.
. Anthony Calfo
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