light and algae and natural light?

Raiderwig · 05/26/2006, 12:04 AM

Hello all,

I was just wondering about light and algae???? I know all about to much light for your tank that you provide through your lighting system and not to put your tank in front of a window

I'm sitting here thinking about how all the LFS saltwater tanks are down in the basement with no windows at all!!
All their tanks look great!! I know about water quality and all that!
So my question is this????? If your tank is in the living room with windows ( but not right in front of) You must be getting to much light with your tank lights plus the natural light in the room from outside?? This will create a algae problem whether you want one or not. I'm thinking the best place to put your tank is in the basement with no windows and just your tank lights????
I think this wiill help with any algae problem??
Looking for your thoughts on this.
Thanks

Blown 346 · 05/26/2006, 12:16 AM

Actually sunlight is the best source of light for any tank, it is a urban myth that sunlight+ fish tank causes algae growth.
The only time you will have algae problems is if water parameters arent kept up and in line, you dont so water changes, overfeed, etc.
If sunlight was a factor in algae problems the ocean would be one big mass of algae.
You will get types alage no matter what, which is normal, but sunlight is the best especially for reef tanks.

reefnewbie54321 · 05/26/2006, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blown 346
Actually sunlight is the best source of light for any tank, it is a urban myth that sunlight+ fish tank causes algae growth.
The only time you will have algae problems is if water parameters arent kept up and in line, you dont so water changes, overfeed, etc.
If sunlight was a factor in algae problems the ocean would be one big mass of algae.
You will get types alage no matter what, which is normal, but sunlight is the best especially for reef tanks.

Natrual sunlight is at the 5500k temperature when it reaches ground level and doesnt reach the 20,000k level until it penatrates many many feet of water were corals grow. If you were to measure the kelvin rateing of natrual sunlight right above the water level it would be 5500k. Since our tanks are so shallow compared to real reefs the color temperature of natrual sunlight is about 5500k-6000k, this color temperature is not favorable for coral growth but is VERY favorable for algae growth. If you have ever ran a 10,000k bulb over a refugium and switched it to a 5000k bulb you would see some pretty amazing differences. That is why people do not advocate natrual sunlight for most situations ... the kelvin of natrual sunlight is more foavorable to algae then it is to corals, it will increase coral growth but it will make there colors more duller then if they were under 15000k lamps w/ mo sunlight.

Aquabucket · 05/26/2006, 07:03 AM

5500K to 6000K is an optimal color temp for many hard corals and promotes growth rates. The reason peeps don't like using those color ranges is for asthetics. The colors tend to be too yellow for most tastes. One of the best T5 bulbs on the market is the GE 5500K and I am running those on several of my tanks.

Also 5500K or 5300K is the color temp at high noon on the surface. Nearer to dawn/dusk it drops to close to 10,000K.

05/26/2006, 12:04 AM	#1
Raiderwig Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 291	light and algae and natural light? Hello all, I was just wondering about light and algae???? I know all about to much light for your tank that you provide through your lighting system and not to put your tank in front of a window I'm sitting here thinking about how all the LFS saltwater tanks are down in the basement with no windows at all!! All their tanks look great!! I know about water quality and all that! So my question is this????? If your tank is in the living room with windows ( but not right in front of) You must be getting to much light with your tank lights plus the natural light in the room from outside?? This will create a algae problem whether you want one or not. I'm thinking the best place to put your tank is in the basement with no windows and just your tank lights???? I think this wiill help with any algae problem?? Looking for your thoughts on this. Thanks

05/26/2006, 07:03 AM	#4
Aquabucket Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Green Bay, Wi. Posts: 4,455	5500K to 6000K is an optimal color temp for many hard corals and promotes growth rates. The reason peeps don't like using those color ranges is for asthetics. The colors tend to be too yellow for most tastes. One of the best T5 bulbs on the market is the GE 5500K and I am running those on several of my tanks. Also 5500K or 5300K is the color temp at high noon on the surface. Nearer to dawn/dusk it drops to close to 10,000K. __________________ "Just a drop in the bucket"

05/26/2006, 12:16 AM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	Actually sunlight is the best source of light for any tank, it is a urban myth that sunlight+ fish tank causes algae growth. The only time you will have algae problems is if water parameters arent kept up and in line, you dont so water changes, overfeed, etc. If sunlight was a factor in algae problems the ocean would be one big mass of algae. You will get types alage no matter what, which is normal, but sunlight is the best especially for reef tanks.