Too much light?

[ctyank]

I am running a 135G with CO2 injection. I am new to the forum and just beginning the fertilization recommendations (big algae problems right now). While I work on this, I'd like some advice on light levels.

I run two 160W VHO bulbs 12 hours a day and for three of those hours I add an additional two 160W VHOs. So 320 watts for 9 hours and 640 watts for 3 hours.

Too much?

Thanks for any input.

 

[Sumpin'fishy]

Yes, too much! I also don't find VHO bulbs to come in very good color spectrums for freshwater plants to grow under. Are you using 10,000K? Those are about as close as you can get to what freshwater plants need, but still a little too blue. They will work, though. You don't need any more than about 4wpg max! And only go this high if you have a perfect balance of CO2 and nutrients with that much light!

I'd stick with 2 of those bulbs, and cut back to about 10 hours a day of light. Get your fertilizer regimen down, and keep up with weekly 50% water changes at least until the algae subsides.