Just wondering if a light is needed and if so what kind(s) would work best to keep up the live rock/sand and any critters possibly in my sump. My overflow drains into a sump filled with 5 lbs of aragonite and about 15-20 lbs of live rock in the 1st chamber which flows into the 2nd compartment with a skimmer, heater, uv sterilizer etc. Tank specs if needed 100g with 200lbs fiji rock 150lbs crushed coral/live sand mix. Looking to go from fish only with a few soft corals I have now to a reef setup eventually.
Do I need a light in my sump?
- Thread starter gio17vani
- Start date
A light is always benificial in a sump, especially if you are going with a refugium which you seem to be doing. A UV sterilizer is not good to have in a reef, it kills the benificial bacteria and plankton etc that corals need to be healthy, but in a fo, fowlr it is fine.
Need a light? No. But it could help.
One of the big benefits is that you could add macroalgae to your refugium to help stabilize pH (if you use a reverse photoperiod), consume nutrients, and provide a place for amphipods, copepods, worms, etc to breed.
One thing to think about is that light will encourage algae growth in the plumbing. If you can, shade the skimmer, reactors, and whatever else, and use black or opaque tubing in places where it is exposed to light.
One of the big benefits is that you could add macroalgae to your refugium to help stabilize pH (if you use a reverse photoperiod), consume nutrients, and provide a place for amphipods, copepods, worms, etc to breed.
One thing to think about is that light will encourage algae growth in the plumbing. If you can, shade the skimmer, reactors, and whatever else, and use black or opaque tubing in places where it is exposed to light.