What is this?
- Thread starter Sarahann31190
- Start date
Also, all thats algae on the sand, would that be due to my lighting? or too much? I just have 2 compact fluorescent bulbs.
If your tank is new, not much to worry about, as it appears to be diatoms. They tend to go away on their own and are common in new tanks. If your tank has been established for many months and/or they have persisted for months, then the issue is normally an overly long photoperiod or elevated nutrients from overfeeding or a contaminated water source.
How long do you run your lights?
How long do you run your lights?
I was running them more than 8 hours a day probably closer to 12.
But since this has happened ive cut down a LOT. Maybe a total or 4-5 hours a day.
But since this has happened ive cut down a LOT. Maybe a total or 4-5 hours a day.
It's just getting frustrating because it's getting on the rock and sides of the tank. It makes it look quite dirty..
12 hours a day for the daylights (white bulbs) is definitely too long. 6 - 8 hours for the daylights is plenty if you have coral or other photosynthetic organisms. Feel free to run the actinics (blue / purple bulbs) longer, some do and additional 30 minutes on each side of the daylights, some an hour on each side, and a few as long as 2 hours on each side of the daylight photoperiod.
If you don't already use them, digital timers are a simple and effective way to keep the lighting schedule regular. They are relatively inexpensive, generally in the $10 - $12 range, at least where I live. It certainly saves from having to remember to manually turn the lights on and then turn them off a number of hours later.
Somewhat unrelated, but don't be afraid to set your tank's photoperiod around your schedule. I know many people that have the lighting schedule start in the mid- to late-afternoon and run until late in the evening / night so they can actually see and enjoy their tanks during the time that they are home.
If you don't already use them, digital timers are a simple and effective way to keep the lighting schedule regular. They are relatively inexpensive, generally in the $10 - $12 range, at least where I live. It certainly saves from having to remember to manually turn the lights on and then turn them off a number of hours later.
Somewhat unrelated, but don't be afraid to set your tank's photoperiod around your schedule. I know many people that have the lighting schedule start in the mid- to late-afternoon and run until late in the evening / night so they can actually see and enjoy their tanks during the time that they are home.
If you target feed the white ball Corallimorph you have, some can become quite attractive. Several years back I had some beautiful bright pink ones that didn't get their color in until fed and eventually grew to around 2" in diameter for the tentacles. Of course, if you have any tiny fish in the tank (<1"), large white ball Corallimorphs can be a bit of a hazard to them.