I have had my tank set up for about 8 months. The brown algae will not go away. Since I have practically no green algae I am betting that my lighting is too weak since I leave the lights on all day. Now the lighting I am currently using is the ones that came with the tank. They are 2 25w all glass aquarium bulbs.The tank is a 125 gallon. Can I put a more powerful bulb in those lights or does it have to be 25w? Or will a better quality 25w bulb be the answer?
Lighting question
- Thread starter PooCooper
- Start date
I strongly recommend you read this link:
All About Brown Algae
The link is right from another AC thread all about brown algae. It talks on the reasons you have this form of algae... and any form.
But simply put, you can have brown algae from more than weak lighting. It is commonly thought to come from poor water quality - more spacifically from over feeding or excess nitrates. Read that link.
All About Brown Algae
The link is right from another AC thread all about brown algae. It talks on the reasons you have this form of algae... and any form.
But simply put, you can have brown algae from more than weak lighting. It is commonly thought to come from poor water quality - more spacifically from over feeding or excess nitrates. Read that link.
1. I am not overstocked and I do not overfeed
2. I do a 50% water change every week.
3. I already seen this info that is why I am asking because I am sure that my lighting that came with the tank is crap.
The link is very much appreciated. Those posts are the reason I am sure that my lack of green algae and the ungodly amount of brown algae is because of the bulbs. So can I use a higher wattage bulb in those lights or would a better quality set of 25 watters be good enough?
2. I do a 50% water change every week.
3. I already seen this info that is why I am asking because I am sure that my lighting that came with the tank is crap.
The link is very much appreciated. Those posts are the reason I am sure that my lack of green algae and the ungodly amount of brown algae is because of the bulbs. So can I use a higher wattage bulb in those lights or would a better quality set of 25 watters be good enough?
Well look on the box or the papers that came with the lights. I'm pretty sure you can use a 25 watt bulb, but I would make sure just to be safe.
I like a fluorescent lighting system, myself. They do not create excess heat, and the power is much more intense.
I like a fluorescent lighting system, myself. They do not create excess heat, and the power is much more intense.
lighting does not, and can not cause algae.
excess nutrients in the water cause algae, the lighting just dictates which species of algae grows to consume the nutrients.
excess nutrients in the water cause algae, the lighting just dictates which species of algae grows to consume the nutrients.
slipknottin, and aquariumfishguy, are correct in that there has to be a nutrient excess of some kind. This doesn't always mean the tank isn't maintained well, it doesn't take a lot to feed algea. I have kept FO tanks most of my life, and better lighting almost always means more algea because there are always excess nutrients in an FO tank no matter how well maintained it is .You may switch algea types with differnt lighting, but you won't get rid of it.
I am not familiar with the all glass lighting set-ups, but better bulbs will help plant growth including algea if there are enough nutrients to promote growth. 2 x25 over a 125 can't be flourescent unless I missed something, The fixtures and or the info that came with the light should give you a wattage limit. I don't know if that helps or not.
Do you have plants or is it a FO tank? If it's FO I don't reccomend a lighting upgrade of any kind. But strip the tank of virtually all nutrients, and Reduce your lighting period as much as feasable.
HTH
Dave
I am not familiar with the all glass lighting set-ups, but better bulbs will help plant growth including algea if there are enough nutrients to promote growth. 2 x25 over a 125 can't be flourescent unless I missed something, The fixtures and or the info that came with the light should give you a wattage limit. I don't know if that helps or not.
Do you have plants or is it a FO tank? If it's FO I don't reccomend a lighting upgrade of any kind. But strip the tank of virtually all nutrients, and Reduce your lighting period as much as feasable.
HTH
Dave
This is a fish only tank. As for the nutrients, maybe I have a problem because I have well water??? As for leaving the lights on less it seems that the brown algae is ten times worse when i do not leave on the lights on all day.I mean the water will literally turn brown if I dont leave the lights on all day. If u think that if I change lights that green algae will take over I would almost prefer that. I know my pl*co would
. I do not know where the nutrients are coming from. I feed once a day and not even every day. If anyone has anymore suggestions They would much appreciated.
. I do not know where the nutrients are coming from. I feed once a day and not even every day. If anyone has anymore suggestions They would much appreciated.
Well what are your water readings? Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH if you know them. Some people here might even be curious about other readings as well.
Maybe it should read..."Lighting alone does not, and can not cause algae..." ?
Think of algae as a pie, soup, dinner entree, whatever. Different ingredients result in different type of algae. Change the ingredients and you get something else. Try different lighting. Try blacking out the tank for "x" number of hours. Try more vigorous gravel vacuuming. You know what you're doing, change something and see what happens. If the fish are fed well, do a water change and don't feed for 3-4 days,then continue with light feedings every other day.
If you throw enough stuff at the wall, some is bound to stick.
Good luck!
Think of algae as a pie, soup, dinner entree, whatever. Different ingredients result in different type of algae. Change the ingredients and you get something else. Try different lighting. Try blacking out the tank for "x" number of hours. Try more vigorous gravel vacuuming. You know what you're doing, change something and see what happens. If the fish are fed well, do a water change and don't feed for 3-4 days,then continue with light feedings every other day.
If you throw enough stuff at the wall, some is bound to stick.
Good luck!