PL and FL

[hatchet]

I have asked different shops, some advise me not to go for PL lights. It is said that PL lights will aid algae growth in the tank. By the way, how often do you guys clean the glass on your tank using those magnet cleaners. I have to do it every two days. Any advise?

[hatchet]

I have asked different shops, some advise me not to go for PL lights. It is said that PL lights will aid algae growth in the tank. By the way, how often do you guys clean the glass on your tank using those magnet cleaners. I have to do it every two days. Any advise?

[hatchet]

I have asked different shops, some advise me not to go for PL lights. It is said that PL lights will aid algae growth in the tank. By the way, how often do you guys clean the glass on your tank using those magnet cleaners. I have to do it every two days. Any advise?

[hatchet]

I have asked different shops, some advise me not to go for PL lights. It is said that PL lights will aid algae growth in the tank. By the way, how often do you guys clean the glass on your tank using those magnet cleaners. I have to do it every two days. Any advise?

[bclee]

I clean about once every 2 weeks. If lazy maybe once a month.

Lights alone are not the root cause of algae problem. Nutrient balance is. I have met too many LFS owners who just simply tell you "It's too much light that cause algae." and this is not the whole story about having algae problem.

BC

[hatchet]

you mean my tank is too fertile with nutrients. Or???
Would be great if you can tell me more.

The below are my tank specs


Tank: 3ft x 1.5 x 1.5
Light: 4 x 25w FL. 2 x 36w PL
Lighting period: 8 hrs
co2: 2bubbles per second
Using Dennerle products.
E15, V30, A1, Gold7.

[bclee]

Your lighting and fertilisers should be alright.

How old is your tank?
Usually new tank are prone to brown
Is your tank heavily planted?
What plants do you have? Any fast-growers?

IMO, the more critical nutrients that you need to keep track is N (NH3, NO3) and P (PO4). You need to have sufficient plants and plant growth to compete with the algae. Excess of N and P are signs that your plants are not absorbing enough nutrients.

BC

[hatchet]

My tank is about 6 months old. 80% is riccia. the rest are tennelus and long hairgrass.

When you say keep track of NH3, N03 and PO4, you mean cut down on those?
And how do i do that? Where did these (N and P) come from?

I have about 40 cardinals, 10 gold tetras, 6-7sae, 70 malayan prawns.

thanks for helping out.

[bclee]

N and P are from fish food and wastes. Most fertilisers don't contain them.

If you can measure NO3 and PO4, it will give you a good idea of the status.

Otherwise, you can try adding some fast growing plants like H. deformis.

BC

[bclee]

BTW, what kind of algae do you have? Green algae?

BC

[hatchet]

I dun know what you guys call it, but just green stuff on the glass walls that makes the tank dun look so crystal clear. I usually use a piece of acrylic to scrap the glass, On the riccia and tenellus, there isn't much traces of algae.

In btw, can I also check with you, I use to keep Yamato, but I found that it die easily as compared to malayans.

I was thinking about keeping those fancy tiger prawns. Do they die easily as well?

How often do you think I should change my water. I observe that after every water change, the plants bubble very easily. Currently, I change once per 2 weeks.

Any advise.

[vinz]

Try to keep your NO2 below 10ppm and PO4 below 1 ppm. Excess of both is definitely trouble. Excess of either, some forumers still have positive results.

If you change water, and your plants start to bubble, means the new water either made your tank conditions better for bubbling or added a nutrient that your tank water is lacking.

[vinz]

My malayans are dying faster then my yamatos.

[DEA]

ime PL lights cf FL lights cause more green spot algae, all other conditions constant