do sumps need a light

[zaquanh_09]

if i put live rock in the sump get everthing running do i need a light for it to keep algea growing or can i just add it and its ok in the dark?

[rrasco]

Plants need light to grow.

[zaquanh_09]

well see i know what part , but i see some setups with LR but no light them others setup like refugiums with plants and sand and lr with light .

how much light is to much , will i be ok with mabye a spotlight pendant , or a regular bulb , i have a 24in led fixture i could mount under the tank on a timer , but would be to much light ?

[Mr Cob]

you can run a refugium without a light and that's called a Cryptic Fuge...but no algae will grow, that's more of a focus on pods, fether dusters and sponges.

Need a light for macro algae to grow as already mentioned.

[allan]

Not sure about the LED fixture you've got. I was going to try a par38 led fixture from HD to see how it grows. But what I use is an incandescent lamp (90W) from HD mounted on the underbelly of my stand. Grows macro like crazy.

Forgot who it was, but one of the other members bought a CFL 5000 bulb for $15 or so, and swears by it. Don't get more than one bulb... and you won't overpower your macro. But if you have a tiny fuge where your macro is, you might want to get a smaller bulb.

The cryptic fuge that Rob is referring to is another method of filtration. Or in some cases, instead of the bio balls members (myself included) have an area of nothing but rubble rock and is forever in the shade. Just an alternate method to achieve that utopian DT.

[allan]

Post a picture of your fuge area, let some of the other members weigh in on your set up.

[JLiu]

No you don't need light for live rock in the sump, but you do need a light to keep algae growing. Too much light is when your boiling your water with it. Just about any bulb will do unless you wish to grow stuff in it, then you may want to consider specific temperatures(K). Having a light on a timer running opposite your main lights will help with the PH swings. But the most important part is having a light helps so much when you want to see what you are doing when messing around under the stand.

[allan]

Don't buy a special bulb to grow macro. The HD lamps will do a great job.

I've bought into the aquarium specific lamp, and I've used the common HD lamp... I'd never go back to the former as the latter does the job much better IME.

[350gt]

Allan it was me running the 5k cfl bulb that's growing macro... I believe the bulb was $10-$15 at home depot.... It was a Temporary set up but look like I might just leave it......


And I have rock in my sump with no light..... But my fuge is what's lit.

[zaquanh_09]

probably the best shot i have of the area to be used since i moved the tank last night . and a old picture of the sump ill take a better pic tonight if needed ,

i wanted to put the lr in the middle on first rack on egg crate and some kind of filter pad then another filter pad on the top level.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/zaquanh/IMG00130.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/zaquanh/IMG00316.jpg

and picture of the led

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b352/zaquanh/IMG00279.jpg

[allan]

Where did you want to put the macro?

I was racking my brain as to who told me that. Thanks for chiming in.

[Noob]

I used a very similar sump to the one you have and i noticed it was best to just add a baffle before the intake chamber.
It helps keep crud from reaching your return put, allows you to lower your water level in the sump, and the chamber can easily be turned into a fuge chamber.