mangrove lighting requirments and cycle time

well I just put 4 mangroves in my sump, to help with my nitrate problem. I have a spare light fixture im using. it has a new Eclipse 15watt 18" T8 full daylight bulb in there. is this enough light for a few mangroves to grow down there?

Also I know most people run 12hours light cycle opposite of main tanks light cycle. is this the best way, or should I run 24/7 on my sump light..

thanks

 

i have 17 mangroves in ym 29 gal and 2 in the ten gallon. i just have them on the sam light cycle as everything else.

 

That lite is plenty, mine get only indirect light from a daylight CFL in a home depot $5 clip on reflector.

no need for 24/7 lighting, the main reason for doing an opposite DT and sump/fuge light scheme is to help stabilize the PH throughout the day/night due to the photosynthesis taking place and exchanging co2 with oxygen.

 

ok so if I run more than 12 hours a day on mangroves, that will make them grow faster plus remove more nitrates out of water column?

 

soo let me re-phrase that..

if I run 24/7 on lights via mangroves theres no negatives, just positives like faster growth = sucking up more nitrate/phos. out of my water column.

 

not really, it has been argued that they need a rest period to perform optimally

 

ok, I'll probly try 18 hours on, and 6 hours lights off. and adjust if needed.. how many mangroves do I need for a 55g reef?

2 are big with big roots, 2 are small pods with 1 little root.

 

How many space do you have and what are the roots in ( in sand, just water, in Lr)

How bad is the nitrate problem.

 

just water, and my space is limited. maybe room for 2-3 more mangroves.. I just have them in the wet/dry sump under (roots under water) next to my skimmer and return pump. t8 light is mounted above them maybe 6" above.

if I want them in sand, i'd have to put them in the display tank.

 

I only have 5 for my 90