Can you overlight plants?

[Rsquared333]

I have done saltwater and some cichlid tanks but I wanted to try out planted.

I have a left over 36" 2 x 96 watt coralife aqualight. I was wondering if I could use that on a new 25 planted tank. I would only use one 96 watt 10,000 k daylight bulb in it, giving me around 3.8 watts per gallon. I would plan on growing some easier plants such as anubis, java fern, Watersprite, Wisteria, and crypts. Some easy stuff to get me into this side of the hobby. My question is whether having that much light will promote algae growth more than my plant growth, or would it just make the plants grow faster? I know I would need co2 to offset it. TIA for your time.

Tank stats:

Tank- 25 gal
Filter- Fluval 205 canister (probably will add an aquaclear as well)
Heater- 100 watt
Co2- diy with hegan diffuser
substarate- pool sand

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Here is the thing- you want to use high light levels but then grow plants that do well in lower light levels. That is a recipe for disaster. The levels of co2, fertilizer and light must be appropriately matched to the kinds of plants one wants to do. For what you indicate you wanted to do, half that much light and no co2 would be sufficient.

 

[rrkss]

You will need to dose heavy macro and micronutrients and supply a stable supply of CO2 (at least 30 ppm) or else you will have major problems. I would go to http://www.barrreport.com and read up on the EI (Estimative Index) so you have an idea what you are about to get into. The plants will do fine at those higher light levels given that they are properly fertilized. Any shortage in nutrients primarely CO2, phosphates, nitrates, and potassium will show up rather quickly as an algae problem.

 

[Rsquared333]

Thanks for the link.

If I think off changing the plant selection I would be better off then?

 

[Ms.Bubbles]

If you already have the lighting & tank, then change the plants selection. There are plenty of plants that are easy care & do well under high lighting. Hygrophila (several species) and bacopa come to mind.

If you want to do a little research on plants & their lighting needs, you can try:

www.tropica.com

 

[Rsquared333]

I would prefer not to jump in to too advanced of plants right away. Could I use a 50/50 bulb iinstead? would that be able to keep me down with these plants ( i read that akinic lights don't do anything for plants)?

I am just trying to find a way to start this tank without having to buy a new light setup. It seems a bit overpowered right now.

 

[Rsquared333]

If you already have the lighting & tank, then change the plants selection. There are plenty of plants that are easy care & do well under high lighting. Hygrophila (several species) and bacopa come to mind.

If you want to do a little research on plants & their lighting needs, you can try:

www.tropica.com

I was under the assumption the higher the light demands the harder the care. thanks for the link.

 

[tanker]

I was under the assumption the higher the light demands the harder the care. thanks for the link.

This is not true. But higher light does mean more food needs---CO2, nutirents, ect. And more pruning.