Lighting Question

[tremper]

I picked up a 135g a month ago that was laoded with plants and came with a homemade hood w two 160w UVL AquaSun full spectrum fluorescent T12's. I've not a plant in my tank and within 2 weeks alage is just kicking in everywhere.

I called HOT for a recommendation and they suggested just getting regular flourescent bulbs from HD or Lowes.

Does anyone have any better advice or would this do the trick. I'm hopeful theyt would produce less energy to feed the algae?

TIA

 

[ddavila06]

what kind of algea r you getting? how many hours of light do u have?>?

 

[rsretep]

May not only be lights Joe, could be something in your water(from the tap or well)

 

[Avatar]

Less is more.

Try running just one tube and/or cut back the on-time. Assuming that you're tap water is not loaded with nitrates/phosphates (safe bet), more frequent/larger water changes will cut down on nutrient loading.

 

[tremper]

Mind you it is a new tank but I've never encountered algae like this. It's the brown spotted algae. The tank was covered in it when I picked it up a month ago. Literally looked like a swamp but I cleaned it thoroughly.

The lights were run pretty much dusk to dawn for a few weeks when I first set it up, now, only for feeding, but it is in my dining room and I'd love to keep the lights on as I walk by it 50x a day.

I've yet to do a water change but honestly, I rarely do water changes on any of my tanks. Perhaps 50% per quarter. Everything is understocked though this one when the fish mature should have about 20-25 fish so I would be more frequent on the changes in this tank. The water is straight out of the tap here in Balto, same water as in the other tanks which are algaeless..... Comes out of the tap pretty much tank ready.

I threw some ABN's in there, picking up some nerites from Rachel, hopefully it will settle down. I just figured if the lights were emitting to much unneccesary "plant" energy they could be swapped out for something less nutrient laden.

 

[Andrew]

This is diatom algae, common in new tanks. It will go away as the tank matures. Otocinclus are the best cleanup crew for it but may not be a match for your other livestock. Ramshorn snails will also eat it but will multiply like crazy...

 

[tremper]

Thanks Andrew. So I google brown algae, and I find this......

Adjusting Photoperiod
Brown Diatom algae do well in low light conditions. Increasing the photoperiod gradually will prevent the diatoms from taking a foothold in your aquarium. Do not exceed 10-12 hours a day as these conditions will favor diatoms as well.

Guess I need to turn the lights back ON!

 

[Hawkman2000]

I've had this issue in many new tanks. Usually it goes away, but I've read that diatoms feed in part on dissolved silicates. If it does go away, this could be the culprit.

 

[mchambers]

maybe

Thanks Andrew. So I google brown algae, and I find this......

Adjusting Photoperiod
Brown Diatom algae do well in low light conditions. Increasing the photoperiod gradually will prevent the diatoms from taking a foothold in your aquarium. Do not exceed 10-12 hours a day as these conditions will favor diatoms as well.

Guess I need to turn the lights back ON!

Could be old bulbs, too. I'd give it time, or buy some nerites.

More here:

http://www.guitarfish.org/algae#diatoms