Yet another Lighting question?

[kamla]

Yet another Lighting question?

Hypnotically speaking…..

If I increase my lighting to 2.7 watts/gal.. (PC lighting)
And not add any CO2..

Will my plants grow better..
Better yet…
What sort of problems am I looking at…

Currently I have a 72 gal with 1.3 watts/gal (NO lighting) with Flourish excel

 

[Swimfins]

Sure your plants will do better under more light.
http://naturalaquariums.com/

Try looking at this lady's site. She uses no co2, no filtration, and no heater. I think her tanks are amazing. Her lighting is up over 3 watts per gallon however.

 

[kamla]

Unreal... i thought if i add more light i will have alage outbreak...

any more thoughts

 

[Harlock]

More light doesn't necessarily = algae. It's the imbalances that occur that lead to algae. Too much nitrogen, phosphorous, ammonia etc. Repeat this mantra, "Healthy plants outcompete algae for nutrients." That says it all. Sometimes plants will need more CO2, but hey, there are easy ways to get that to them. Flourish Excel being an excellent way without the worry of outgassing etc. All told, if the plants have their nutritional needs met, then you will find algae will have very little wiggle room and be hard-pressed to establish itself in your tank.

 

[kamla]

thax guys..
but i have read on other forum (plantgeek) that when you have lighting over 2 watts/gal
without CO2.. you will grow alage...

man i am sooooo confused.....

 

[Harlock]

thax guys..
but i have read on other forum (plantgeek) that when you have lighting over 2 watts/gal
without CO2.. you will grow alage...

man i am sooooo confused.....

Nothing is definite. Most people suggest CO2 over 2 WPG. There are other folks that pull off beautiful tanks without CO2. If I recall, someone recently took either best in show or placed in an AGA competition with a large tank that was low-tech.