Refugium lighting change question

m8298 · 06-17-2006, 01:03 PM

As a result of reading another thread as well as a few articles, I decided to change the timing of the lights on my fuge from 24 hours, back to 16 hours (reverse cycle of the main tank lights.) I did this all at once, which I don't know if that was a bad idea or not, but it seems as though for a couple days after some of the Caulerpa and hair algae that was on the sides, got stressed and died back, which I expected a little. But one or both seem like they let out like a clear mucus or slime, which made my tank a little cloudy. Does this sound right? Is it normal? Everything as far as water quality checks out ok.

veriann · 06-17-2006, 01:14 PM

sounds like a tank milking!
why wasn;t i invited!?
dropping the photo period 8 hours in any systems should be avoided all at once! u must have had killer growth running 24/7, personally i would avoid this!
even freshwater plants would start to react with a 8 point drop in time! just remember to reduce or increase anything slowly in marine!
its ok, maybe the algie kickstarted the reproduction cycles to ensure survival!
remove die back if u see it, its only going to pollute futher!
whats actually running in the fuge?
give a run down so people know how to advice more precise if u please!

m8298 · 06-17-2006, 01:27 PM

The fuge has Chaeto and Caulerpa, as well as some residual hair algae. I am only running NO florescents. I've been removing any die back that I see. I was over-due for a harvesting any way. Should I increase the photoperiod some temporarily? Or should just leave it and expect it to level out? I've been down to 16 hours for several days now.

veriann · 06-17-2006, 08:54 PM

im not the resident expert of such things, some of our other members have demenstated they know their stuff, i would hold off a couple days till people start cranking the post in the threads. u say u have run it as is for the last 7 days, i would say the shock is set in already, but your using normal output bulbs, T8 bulbs yeah? so im not sure its strong enough to have a major impact like higher rated bulbs, i guess its a question of how much light do u need to produce for the macro's in question!

m8298 · 06-17-2006, 09:31 PM

Way to go Boo Boo, I guess I'll have to wait for the Ranger, before I get my picnic basket... rofl

Yeah, I'm interested to hear what everyone else has to say on this.

veriann · 06-17-2006, 09:37 PM

lol, u picked up on it!
i forgot, its sunday, people are pooling for the chat for u guys!