Does light fuel Algae??????
- Thread starter ricwilli
- Start date
HoopsGuru
In Memoriam
Light does not fuel algae, typically dissolved organics are the fuel source (nitrates, phosphates, etc.). Light is necessary though for them to process the fuel. Eliminating light also does not solve the problem, just delays things until you turn them back on. To eliminate nuisance algae, you have to reduce or remove the fuel source as much as possible while providing a good environment for other species that can outcompete the nuisance varieties.
If your tank is new or less than 1 year old, be patient and continue proper water changes, protein skimming, etc. to limit nutrients. It is typical for new tanks to go through several stages of nuisance algae outbreaks. If it is an older tank, review your maintenance schedule to determine where the excess nutrients are coming from. Some of the likely sources are not enough water changes, not enough export via skimming/fuge/etc., or through food sources (such as adding packing juice from frozen food, etc.).
If your tank is new or less than 1 year old, be patient and continue proper water changes, protein skimming, etc. to limit nutrients. It is typical for new tanks to go through several stages of nuisance algae outbreaks. If it is an older tank, review your maintenance schedule to determine where the excess nutrients are coming from. Some of the likely sources are not enough water changes, not enough export via skimming/fuge/etc., or through food sources (such as adding packing juice from frozen food, etc.).
RichConley
New member
"Light is necessary though for them to process the fuel. "
Actually, its the opposite, the light is hte fuel, and the organics allow them to process it. Same difference though.
No, you wont get algae unless you have nutrient problems.
Actually, its the opposite, the light is hte fuel, and the organics allow them to process it. Same difference though.
No, you wont get algae unless you have nutrient problems.
Remove the cause of the bloom and the bloom will go away. Light is not the cause just a component of the bloom. Like HoopsGuru says...remove the "fuel". If you want to avoid a more difficult pest algae problem, reduce your lighting while your removing the cause of the algae bloom. Once you have the Nitrates, phosphates...under control you can run your lighting normally.
Good luck, Cheers!
Good luck, Cheers!
Light is used by algae to convert dissolved nutrients into useable food for the algae. Reducing light only postpones the inevitable bloom if you do not reduce the cause of algae outbreaks.
If you turn off the light will the algae recede? Yes, but unless you like looking at bare rock in the dark you will have to address the real issue related to nuisance algae outbreaks.
BTW…Algae is not bad, that’s why fuges work so well. I bet you don’t have problems with low PH. You may want to use specific algae in a refugium to utilize the nutrients and you can harvest it out as a nutrient export method. Less nutrients in the display tank means less nuisance algae. You have to use some kind of method to export nutrients, usually water changes, fuges, etc.
If you turn off the light will the algae recede? Yes, but unless you like looking at bare rock in the dark you will have to address the real issue related to nuisance algae outbreaks.
BTW…Algae is not bad, that’s why fuges work so well. I bet you don’t have problems with low PH. You may want to use specific algae in a refugium to utilize the nutrients and you can harvest it out as a nutrient export method. Less nutrients in the display tank means less nuisance algae. You have to use some kind of method to export nutrients, usually water changes, fuges, etc.
