of course it's the light that drives algae. algae is photosynthetically active. as are plants. the lights will drive them too.
co2 will drive growth under any lighting conditions. thus helping plants out compete algae. can't argue that... with the exception of inconsistent co2. when the params are not stable algae reacts much faster and gains a foothold.
i am familiar with hoppys testings as well as others... http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/lighting/97622-par-data-selecting-t5ho-light.html ... one example.
you believe your recommendations are the best. i believe the same about mine. that's fine. however... i have proof that 2 full length t5ho bulbs do not necessitate algae in shallower tanks than the one in question by far. i may be in the minority... and experiencing success (plants growing/no algae). i cared for my tanks/plants. they grow, algae stays at bay. they struggle, algae gains a foothold... it's been a loooooooong time since, though. i don't use any carbon supplementation atm be it diy, pressurized, florin axis, excel, gluteraldehyde, etc., etc.. my plants still grow. my algae is a non-issue.
yes, i'm familiar with the teachings of mr barr... including those related to a low tech (non-co2 tank).
beings that light drives growth i fail to see how recommending lighting that won't efficiently penetrate the depth of the tank in question is going to keep the plants happy enough to prevent algae. not that it's not possible... just my tanks aren't having it.
i dose ferts as it is. i understand that most folks running similar tanks to mine wouldn't need much, if anything but i certainly do. i boost my gh too as it's almost non-existent in my tap. but, yeah... that's another conversation.
either way, bottom line... the current debate is whether a tank with 2 t5ho bulbs and no co2 can be sustained without algae... my tanks fit that bill and don't have algae. point blank.
i agree that adjusting height helps. i also feel that burning your bulbs in one at a time will severely help. 2 brand new bulbs just might push a tank over the edge. after a week or 2 burn-in period there's a big difference, though. maybe setting them a little higher for the first couple weeks will benefit the op, maybe not. i'd say probably so. i will say it's a lot easier to prevent algae than it is to remove it. a piece of fiberglass screening under the fixtures for a week or two after adding new bulbs would work as well. once algae is there though it doesn't matter if your lights are in their burn- in period or not... there'll be enough to sustain them and they already have a foothold.
co2 will drive growth under any lighting conditions. thus helping plants out compete algae. can't argue that... with the exception of inconsistent co2. when the params are not stable algae reacts much faster and gains a foothold.
i am familiar with hoppys testings as well as others... http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/lighting/97622-par-data-selecting-t5ho-light.html ... one example.
you believe your recommendations are the best. i believe the same about mine. that's fine. however... i have proof that 2 full length t5ho bulbs do not necessitate algae in shallower tanks than the one in question by far. i may be in the minority... and experiencing success (plants growing/no algae). i cared for my tanks/plants. they grow, algae stays at bay. they struggle, algae gains a foothold... it's been a loooooooong time since, though. i don't use any carbon supplementation atm be it diy, pressurized, florin axis, excel, gluteraldehyde, etc., etc.. my plants still grow. my algae is a non-issue.
yes, i'm familiar with the teachings of mr barr... including those related to a low tech (non-co2 tank).
beings that light drives growth i fail to see how recommending lighting that won't efficiently penetrate the depth of the tank in question is going to keep the plants happy enough to prevent algae. not that it's not possible... just my tanks aren't having it.
i dose ferts as it is. i understand that most folks running similar tanks to mine wouldn't need much, if anything but i certainly do. i boost my gh too as it's almost non-existent in my tap. but, yeah... that's another conversation.
either way, bottom line... the current debate is whether a tank with 2 t5ho bulbs and no co2 can be sustained without algae... my tanks fit that bill and don't have algae. point blank.
i agree that adjusting height helps. i also feel that burning your bulbs in one at a time will severely help. 2 brand new bulbs just might push a tank over the edge. after a week or 2 burn-in period there's a big difference, though. maybe setting them a little higher for the first couple weeks will benefit the op, maybe not. i'd say probably so. i will say it's a lot easier to prevent algae than it is to remove it. a piece of fiberglass screening under the fixtures for a week or two after adding new bulbs would work as well. once algae is there though it doesn't matter if your lights are in their burn- in period or not... there'll be enough to sustain them and they already have a foothold.
