too much light?

macboat

macboat

Nano simplicity
My tank is 55G, 48x18x18 and I was annoyed by algaes. After reading more articles, I am thinking maybe my lighting is too high. Based on the 5W per gallon "rule of thumb", I only need 275W. If I turn 2 MH and 4 PC on at the same time, is it too much for my tank?

==============================================
Fixture Supports & Specification:-

HQI lamp: 2 x 250W
PC light bulb: 4 x 65W
Dual LED: 6 x Blue-Moon night light
Light Fixture unit dimension: 48" L x 15" W x 3" H
5" Internal built-in cooling fan: 1
Internal electronic PC ballasts: 4
External electronic HQI ballasts: 2
 
That is a lot of light. I think your algae problem is probably due to nutrients. You can save some electricity and heat by using few lights.
 
well its probably not caused by the lights....the lights just blow it out of proportion from what it should be. Like van said, you've probably got high nutrient levels (nitrates/phosphates for starters).

What lights are you running? I take it the 2x250w and 4x65 thats in you're sig? If so, for a 55 that is a little unnecessary in my opinion... if you plan to keep that tank, see if you can get a 2x175w instead of 250's....and trade off the pc's for just a couple of t5's...t5's are a lot more energy efficient and put out more light than pc's anyways (and TONS better color in my experience w/all 3 types).

Is you'rs all 1 fixture or is it all retro fit in there? If its a retro, you could probably sell it or trade it to downsize a bit easier...
 
Run just the MH if you think you have too much light. I don't think it is and the 5w per gallon thing is a joke. MH light output is more intense than PC as is T5 are more intense than PC per watt.

Tell us more about the tank. What does your filtration system consist of? Do you use RODI water? Substrate? Feeding regiment? Livestock? It all plays into the ecosystem.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13926024#post13926024 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jayreefer
Run just the MH if you think you have too much light. I don't think it is and the 5w per gallon thing is a joke. MH light output is more intense than PC as is T5 are more intense than PC per watt.

Tell us more about the tank. What does your filtration system consist of? Do you use RODI water? Substrate? Feeding regiment? Livestock? It all plays into the ecosystem.
Click to expand...


I know I should have listed all this upfront, just get lazy since I have being dealing with algaes for a while....

Tank size as listed, 55G, recently added 20G sump, 1 inch sand, don't know how many LR maybe 30-40lb I guess. I started with tap water but have been using RO/DI water for water change and top off since.

Currently there are 5 fish in the tank, 3 clowns and 2 blue damsels. I feed once a day in the morning. There are about 12 hermit crabs and 15 snails.

Before I set up the 20 sump, I used the build in sump (the tank has a back sections served as sump) and I put a deep sand/ chaeto/ 5 mangroves in it.

running 1 tunze 6025. (maybe not enought flow?) also have a 6055 that I haven't put in yet...

nothing else.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13926046#post13926046 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by prototype
wana trade? hehe
i got x2 175w plus pc's and moonlight...
Click to expand...

How old? Mine is less than 2 months old.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13926071#post13926071 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by prototype
i think that tap water is your source for some of the algae..
Click to expand...


But I have been doing water change and top offs with RO/DI....

so, drain it?
 
well you're not overstocked at all (although you may have problems w/3 clowns..i'd get rid of one)

I personally ran my 40 for a good year and a half off of nothing but tap water (heck, i filled it w/the hose lol) and never had any problems before i took it down to move. I DID however, always use that Kent nitrate sponge (looks like white gravel) and had great success w/that, along w/powerphos....i just threw a bag of each in the sump right under the intake from the overflow. So that might help if you're having problems w/either.

You've got enough rock for the current load, but if you plan to add a few more fish, definitely add 10-20 lbs.

Do you currently run the chaeto in the sump?
 
dnt know about draining it...
anyone else have input on this??

my first sw tank, it was a 15g, i did maybe 5 gallons in ro and the rest in tap...
i never had a problem with algae..so i dnt know if you should drain it or not..

what kind of algae do you have??
 
i think that tap water is your source for some of the algae
Click to expand...

maybe, but like i said, i've done it and had no problems. I did have help from the nitrate sponge and whatnot, but i never had any algae problems out of the ordinary
 
Yes, I run the chaeto in the sump, also there are 6 mangroves.

By the way, I tested nitrate (10) and phosphate (very low between 0-0.25). Is it considered high? (the reason I didn't put any reactors in is that I have chaeto and mangroves...)
 
a side question...how long has this been running even? I noticed you're sig says you just started...if thats the case, well thats completely normal...pretty much any tank will go through a few phases, lots of algae being one (or 2) of them lol
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13926097#post13926097 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sir_dudeguy
maybe, but like i said, i've done it and had no problems. I did have help from the nitrate sponge and whatnot, but i never had any algae problems out of the ordinary
Click to expand...


Let's say I got the nastiest tap water in my area.... won't all the minrals, particles or whatever in it be "extracted" by my filters?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13926103#post13926103 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sir_dudeguy
a side question...how long has this been running even? I noticed you're sig says you just started...if thats the case, well thats completely normal...pretty much any tank will go through a few phases, lots of algae being one (or 2) of them lol
Click to expand...

a little over 2 months.
I know patience is key, but how long will this stage last?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13926103#post13926103 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sir_dudeguy
a side question...how long has this been running even? I noticed you're sig says you just started...if thats the case, well thats completely normal...pretty much any tank will go through a few phases, lots of algae being one (or 2) of them lol
Click to expand...

x2 on cycling algae/diatoms!
 
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