Is lighting the ultimate algae control? - Page 6 - Algae

Paul Munro · 09-23-2007, 02:41 PM

Hi, I have been reading on here for HOURS as I have an algae problem.

There has been no mention yet of different light temperatures affecting algae. I am suspicious of one of my two Arcadia t8 bulbs, it emits a rather red light.

Any more light temperature thoughts??

hoppycalif · 09-23-2007, 06:39 PM

Some people think that some color temperature bulbs encourage algae more than plants, but I haven't seen any test results that show that to be true. Light intensity and duration seem to be the primary parameters that determine whether the light will encourage algae.

lowfi · 09-24-2007, 08:14 PM

hmmm so is that website saying (or calculating) T5HO lights the same as PC? I am trying to 'guesstimate" what 48watts of T5HO would be over my 20H...medium high? I know its just an estimate.

Homer_Simpson · 09-25-2007, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoppycalif

...Light intensity and duration seem to be the primary parameters that determine whether the light will encourage algae...

I agree and in my experience based on my experimentation with different tank setups, I would dare say the "biggest" parameter, even though not the only one by any means.

Paul Munro · 09-27-2007, 08:55 AM

Thinking back.. when I went from 15watts to 30watts on my tank, that's when the algae started!

I suppose to compensate I need adequate CO2 and nutrients!

I'm learning

SPC · 12-11-2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruki

In order of efficiency of lumens/watt:
T5
T8
T5 HO
Power Compact *
T10
T12
T12 VHO
* I have a spiral twist hydrobulb that claims to be better than metal halide, but provides no proof for this on the bulb package

Do you have a link you can post that shows how this data was arrived at?

Thanks,
Steve

reefcrawler · 01-26-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laith

This is the first time I've heard this. T5s, as far as I know, have a *longer* usable lifespan than T8s...

So far I've been running T5s on planted tanks for just about two years without changing them and still have yet to see a problem.

I can't agree, bulbs will decline it's spectrum around 1/2 ~ 1 year, the bulb is still working doesn't means it wroks the right spectrum range for plants, I'll suggest to change bulbs every year even for our human eyes can't tell the difference.

Just my 2 cents.

fishyman · 04-09-2008, 03:27 AM

Hi,
I am relatively a very new member but have been visiting this site very often. My aquarium has all the algae you can think of and also all other which you cant think of. I wonder how come my aquarium can home so many kinds of algae.
The water parameter seems fine to me. ph 6.7, GH 3deg, NO3 10 mg/l, NO2 negligible and water temp of 26-27 deg celcius.
The tank is approx 95 gallons and i am using two MH 150 watts each switched on for 5 hrs and there after two 18 watts osram fluora. for next 6 hours. I am using pressuried co2. The plants are growing very well but even better the algae.so far i have noticed black beard algae, green spot algae, dust algae, thread algae. theres another algae some what blk brown in colour and appears as small algae balls stuck to my gravel.
before i bought these MH i did my required reiki and came across with MH with ceremic techology and found their spectrum good enough for consideration. the spectrum were peaking in red and blue, 4200 k, 14000 lumens and cri of 95.
I am following estimative index for fertilisation which involves khpo4,kno3 and microsol-b.
Any one who can render some advise.
regards
Tarun Jawa

bear24 · 04-17-2008, 02:19 PM

I reduced lighting duration and wattage. It didn't really work. I'm trying Noon burst this week now.

thefishmanlives · 04-27-2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatPat

I've said this before, but I grew some of my nicest Rotala macrandra and Pogostemon stellatus with 136 of T-8 (96w, 9325K) and T-12 (40w, 5500K? Nutrigrow) lighting. I did have pressurized CO2 which was a big help. Algae was practically non existent and P. stellatus rarely if ever stunted. The plants grew much slower with that amount of light, but so did the algae.

Why is it that such high light levels are recommended and do we really need it for most plants?

watts per gallon isnt a truly accurate way to mearusre lighting at all. 110 watts with a good reflector or separate relfectors for hte bulbs is a whole different animal then 110 watts with a poor relflector. I think this is where people are giving advice without know what the deal is. And pressurized co2 makes a world of difference. moderate lighting with press co2 will grow almost anything, just more slowly. However high lighting plus excel or diy co2 will almost always cause algae disaster or take up all your time mixing yeast bottles. 2 watts per gallon of pc light with AH supply lighting + press co2 will def grow almost anything and fairly well.