Fuge Light Timing BC14

[SVT519]

I have some chato in chamber 2 with a little pc hanging on the back of my tank. Would it be beneficial to run it during the night cycle only to keep the PH up at this time and limit growth, or to keep it on 24 hours? Thanks -Andrew

[Double-O-Zilch]

I run mine opposite of the day lights. Seems to keep the ph happy.

[StevenSeas]

i would opt the opposite of day light route. keep the pH stable or as much as possible. dont worry about the limited growth, stuff in the main display will pick up the slack

[Double-O-Zilch]

What effect would leaving it on 24/7 have? Bad or good idea? I think I read somewhere that the algae needs a cool off period to grow.

[Ping]

With tanks that small, macro algae wont make any real difference with pH or nutrient uptake. Macroalgaes main benefit in a nano is plankton production. A good lighting cycle for Chaetomorpha production seems to be 18 hrs on - 6 hrs off. 24 hrs is for Caulerpa species to prevent them from going sexual.

[Double-O-Zilch]

Guess I need to re-time my fuge light, I got it on a 12hr cycle. Too bad I can't run my 14 BC 24hrs to keep the caulerpa down, hopefully the lawn mower blenny I picked up will knock that down. Thanks Ping.

[Ping]

As long as the extra time the light is on is not a bother...most people grow cheato on a 12 hour cycle. It just grows a little faster with the increased energy input.