Algae and Indirect Sunlight

[tackful]

Hi All,
Very interested in hearing opinions on a possible link between the two. I had to give up on my 7 yr old planted tank a while back when it developed uncontrolled algae following a home remodeling. I had moved the tank twice as part of the process, but it was replaced in its original location. Everything else remained the same: lights, co2, ferts, but there was one difference. The new window blinds let in an appreciably greater amount of indirect sunlight from the west facing windows. After having done everything I could think of to restore my tank to its previous algae-free state, I finally blamed the problem on the new blinds and went to a 19 watt fish only setup.
Could there have been something else at work here that i was unable to identify? Thanks.

 

[the loach]

What kind of algae are we talking about? The problem is that you kept everything the same. You increased light, but not co2 and ferts. It is all connected... you can't just increase one and expect the same result.
Also lights do age and give less output over time.

 

[tackful]

Standard green algae. I did replace the 55w CF bulb as well.

 

[the loach]

What are standard green algae to you.

 

[tackful]

I should have said green dust algae.

 

[fishorama]

Is it free floating & maybe coating surfaces? That's green dust to me. Green spot is the stuck on the glass type & very hard to scrub off.

Do you have plants now? What are your water parameters? You know, the usual, you've been here long enough to know, lol...& how come I haven't met you at the SFBAAPS meets yet? (or have I?) LOL, I could loan you a UV filter...it might help in the short term.

 

[dougall]

how come I haven't met you at the SFBAAPS meets yet? (or have I?)

Super Secret Aquariacentral Alter-ego Identities!


I'll only use my real name in person, I'm not the same guy I was 20 years ago...

 

[tackful]

It's not green spot; rather it coats everything. I had P=3, N=20-30, and heavily planted with co2 and weekly water changes. Everything the same as it had been for the previous year.

 

[fishorama]

Your nitrate seems a little high to me. Can you back off on feeding macros at least? I'm happy if my non-co2 tanks have 5ppm...but I haven't gone co2...although I have the stuff to do, it...I just don't want the maintenance issues...right now.

 

[mkg1980]

You do your work scrupulously . i proud of you.