24hr photoperiod, good, bad, or Ugly?

10" Red Devil · #1 05/16/2006, 08:27 PM

Hello,

Wondering if a 24/7 photoperiod is okay with Chaeto? I want accelerated growth and have been told by self proclaimed experts that this was the way to go?

What do you all think?

Thanks.

The_Nexis_One · #2 05/16/2006, 10:14 PM

I've also heard positive results from 24/7 lighting on chaeto.. and other macro's.

Mangroves, seagrass and other vascular plants - doesn't seem to help and have heard reports of it having negative effects.

No experiance with either, sorry.
John.

reefnewbie54321 · #3 05/17/2006, 12:40 AM

You need a dark period for respiration, many people seem to not think so though. This is what Anthony Calfo suggests and thats what I do. This is also benificial for pods becuase they need a dark cycle aswell.

10" Red Devil · #4 05/17/2006, 12:36 PM

Well fwiw I have had a setup where the tank is lit 24/7 with about 6 wpg and it has been up for about a year and the pods are explosive and huge! But Im questioning the advice to light it 24/7. I wonder if I gave it more dark periods if it would grow faster and more densely. I wonder though how much of a dark period is good?

Thanks.

reefnewbie54321 · #5 05/17/2006, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Anthony Calfo
really no such thing as too much flow, for microcrustaceans... or really most any other creatures practically kept.

The calmest reef you will ever see is still staggeringly more dynamic than the most turbulent aquarium. The real issue with "too much flow" is the application (direction... as in too linear/laminar) and not the (high) volume. It is the very focussed linear flow pattern such as with powerheads and pump nozzles that is so very awful and unnatural for many reef creatures if unmodified in aquaria.

So by providing the wide rolling (indeed laminar but diffused) flow as with a tumbing chaeto ball... or the fab turbulence of a multi-tee manifold like some do on displays, we can sufficiently diffuse water flow while still enjoying high volume.

As far as the 12/12 photoperiod... it is a must! One of the biggest mistruths in aquarium algae culture is that all or many species can endure an uninterrupted 24hr photoperiod. Not true! Not even close. Most will suffer and dwindle in time without adequate time (night) for respiration. Among commonly available plant and algae species... only some Caulerpa will live well in stasis with constant illumination.

Really... the majority of marine plants and algae will thrive, if not need(!), a proper and natural day/night photoperiod 12/12 is fine with most lamps. Focus more on finding warm coilored lights of high PAR value.

I cant find a direct quote for pods and dark cycles but it is fact that a 24/7 light cycle is not benificial for pods. If it was then people breeding pods would use a 24/7 cycle. If it is not benificial to run a 24/7 cycle for pods and for chaeto I dont undertsand why poeple run there lights 24/7 at all. I guess everyone thinks lights make algae grow so lights on 24 hours instead of 12 will make it grow faster ... not true.

3D-Reef · #6 05/17/2006, 08:12 PM

I'm no expert,but everything else has a 12/12 cycle.I don't see why plants would be any different.If you watch PBS there's a program on the cicadain rhythm and how it works.
Clay

rich_tilbury · #7 05/19/2006, 06:08 PM

I ran 24/7, then tinkering ended up with a reverse photoperiod to the display tank.

I saw an improvement in the caulerpa growth, but with so many variables in our tanks I guess someone needs to do a proper scientific test and weigh the output of two identical set ups, one on 24/7 and one on 12/12.