Do I need light over my Wet/Dry filter?

[Queman]

I am setting up my tank and it come with a set of fluorescent to put over the Filter, do I need this to keep the Bacteria alive?

[dustin_P74]

you only need a light over the sump if you have a refugium, otherwise a light isnt necessary

[reeffreak]

+1 Dustin

No light is needed for bacteria.Only a refugium with macroalgae will need light.

[Queman]

Thanks, as I live in THe Cayman and have unlimited supply of live rocks, I don't think I need a refugium.

[dustin_P74]

a refugium is more for using chaeto and other algeas to export nitrates and to breed pods

[Queman]

Sorry, my first salt aquarium in 15 years, what are pods?

[dustin_P74]

copepods http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copepod

[yote]

Be sure to check your local laws before you start harvesting your own live rock.ANd once you add it to your tank,dont ever put it back into the ocean.

[Bifferwine]

Macroalgae is kept in a refugium separate from the main tank. The macroalgae takes up nitrates and phosphates that otherwise would be used to fuel nuisance algae outbreaks in your display tank. The refugium with macroalgae also serves as a breeding ground for pods, which is live coral and fish food. The pods grow in the fuge because there aren't any predators in there, and eventually there are enough of them to spill out into the main tank, feeding your animals.

So a light isn't necessary if you only have rock. However, it is necessary if you are going to keep macroalgae. But for bacteria only, no.