Quick Lighting/Algae Question

[joe90usa]

I've got a strong algae problem going in tank that is lit by a daylight flourecent bulb as well as an actinic flourecent bulb. If I turn off the daylight bulb, will that be enough to help combat the issue (along with water changes and less food of course), or do I need to turn off both bulbs and/or shorten the lighting period. I'm running a 12/12 cycle right now.

Thanks to those who take a moment to offer their help.

 

[kuoka]

Algae needs light to grow so yes turning off the daylight bulbs will help. But you probably have something else going on like too many nutrients, etc. It also depends on what kind(s) of algae you have.

I don't have an algae problem (except for the hard green stuff) and I run my MH and actinics (I don't believe the actinics provide enough of the spectrum an algae needs to grow) about 7 hours a day.

 

[picassoman]

What color algae is it? Brown are diatoms that thrive off silicate and other organic waste. Green thrive off of photosynthesis (lights). Red or darker slimy looking algae is possibly cyanobacteria, cause by stagnant water and phosphate. Is it a newer tank? Many newly set up tanks going through this algae cycle. Hope this helps!
















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[joe90usa]

I've got green algae...extremely think and long on any rock surface that faces the lights. There's enough there that I've been going in by hand once a week and pulling it off to help try and control it. I was stubborn on the light cycle, but now I've turned off the daylight bulb and I'm just running the actinic.

 

[kuoka]

Sounds like hair algae. Most likely caused by nutrients (over feeding, left over food). Take a toothbrush to the big strands or patches. Blue legged hermits will eat the smaller strands.

 

[loves saltwater]

How long has the tank been set up ?

Turning out the lights will stop the grow until you turn the lights back on.

Over feeding can cause the nutrients that the algae feeds off of..

What is your phosphate level ?

What is your nitrate level ?

You have to find the problem and correct it ?