xtremefour

I have a 75 gallon tank and I have only a little bit of algea I barley dose my lights are inefficient but my tank is beautiful.

Specs: std 75 gal glass tank 48" wide 18" deep, not sure on height

Substrate is 2 40lb bags of gravel rock frol LFS, and a 10lb bag of red and black flurite mixed in.

Lighting is cut moded 48" shop light with a 8000 k bulb and a 6500 k bulb from HD, light is typically about 10 hrs, the bulbs are 32 watts each.

3 medium pieces of Manzanite driftwood

Dosing: I dose Excel almost every day and Flourish Iron once a week

Plants 2 large amazon swords, a bunch of I think asian vals, some hair grass, and cobomba (sp).

Circulation is 2 HOB filters that I was given with tank, not sure on out put and a mini underwater filter I have in the corner for some added circulation.

Fish: 4 Cory cats, 1 red tail shark, 1 medium flying fox, 1 horse face loach, 1 medium bala shark, 7 large tiger barbs, 1 large gold groumi, 1 medium gold angle fish, 1 GSP, 2 German blue rams, 2 small catfish not sure on name and 2 cherry barbs, 2 medium high fin plecos

I always get crap for my fish load but i have only lost 1 cory cat in the past 5 months.

I have a little bit of algea on the glass here and there but my plants are growing very well and are very green. I am adding more light very soon, doing the exact same as above.


matt

xtremefour

Why is my tank growing well and my fish are healthy, but I see problems with others and algea and they have very nicely set up tanks. I dont understand why?

Matt

dj2606

First time I have ever seen anyone complain they have no algae ;D. But to answer your question simply, your lighting is .85wpg (watts per gallon [total wattage/gallons]). Most people have problems with algae because they have 2-3 wpg and unbalanced nutrients/Co2.

Pinto

Trust me you don't want any algae.

xtremefour

LOL ok cool, yeah not complaing about not having algea at all. I have another shop light that i am doing the same thing to now to add some more light. The corner nearest the window gets a lot more light and has some algea on the glass but just a little. On that side of the tank my amazon sword is getting very large. I was thinking of adding some more light another 6500k and an 8000k to help.

Thank you,


matt

gmccreedy

Why add more light? You just "bragged" about a perfectly balanced system (nutrient uptake is enough to be sustained by the bioload) and healthy growth. Now you want to just bang more light on it? For what purpose? Just faster growth?

You have low demanding plants and they are growing well. Why not just sit back and enjoy the tank. I always found that tinkering (and adding things just because) is counterintuitive most times and never productive.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

xtremefour

I'm hardly bragging, you missed the point. I have seen and read where people have low light tanks and high light hig tech tanks and they all have algea problems. I was wondering what I am doing differently that is causing me NOT to have algea.

I really want to grow hairgrass thats why I am wanting to add more light. I have always loved the look. At .85 watts per gallon I dont think I have enough penetrating light to grow hairgrass adequetly. I have only had my tank for a little under a year now and there is so much I learn all the time.
I originally had one HOB filter on the tank and 30 watts of light, and DIY C02. I have slowly upgraded as my budget allows. I am just trying to figure out what I SEEM to be doing right. My tank is not perfect but I do not seem to have the problems that many others do.

Matt

dj2606

Most people have algae because of an imbalance with lighting, nutrients, Co2. So upgrading your light will require you to also up your nutrients and Co2. If you keep your tank in balance you should not have algae issues.

gmccreedy did not miss your point, just stating that if your tank is running without issue leave it be. The old saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it." You are right also, more lighting will be needed to grow hair grass (1.5-2wpg approximately). But I believe you should do more research in how your tank is balanced and how to keep it in balance before slapping more light on to grow a certain plant. I recommend reading stickies on fertilizing regimens, Co2, and lighting to get a better understanding.

gmccreedy

Yea, sorry. That came off a bit harsh in my post. Thanks for clearing that up dj.

dj2606

It's all good.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have after researching. There is loads of info and it can be a little overwhelming at first.