lighting question

mindy · 05-17-2012, 11:45 AM

i have been having issues with green water lately but i think i finally have it sorted.

background: 66 gallon tank, no co2, eheim 2215, koralia 750, 2 54 watt t5 bulbs in a 4 ft fixture. i was keeping my light on 8 hours/day. i just put the lights back to 6 hours/day and keep the curtains closed while the light shines directly on the tank. i was using excel every day (5 mL daily) but have been busy lately and it has slipped my mind

. i also use flourish comprehensive once a week.

i haven't done a water change in a few days now and the water hasn't gotten any greener. it is still green, but not getting worse (like it was before). i am planning to do a big water change today and i am also going to raise the light.

my question is how high should i raise the light off my tank? my tank is 20 inches tall. right now the light is sitting on the tank.

also, if i raise the light off the tank should i put the light back on for 8 hours/day?

thanks!

HD Blazingwolf · 05-17-2012, 12:20 PM

green water is normally related to ammonia.. algae reproduces quickly in its presence because it doesnt have to expend extra energy convreting nitrate to its usuable form. plants have to do this but are larger better preparded organisms. algae is nature's cleanup tool. altought your lights may be too bright. they don't, in 99.5 % of green water cases, cause algae

check filters, regulate feeding a little better, do a couple water changes. continuing mainenance wil lprevent this from happening again

mindy · 05-17-2012, 01:15 PM

i do not have ammonia in my tank, or at least, no ammonia that is not being taken care of by the plants/bb in my filter. i have a tons of plants, many of them are fast growing, and only a few fish. according to aquadvisor i am only stocked at 57%. i have 21 neons, 5 kuhli loaches, 5 albino cories, 2 amano shrimp, and 1 baby bristlenose pleco.

also, that theory for the green water in my tank wouldn't make sense since i didn't do a water change for a week and the water didn't get any greener. i did, however, change the light.

i don't understand how it could be ammonia.

05-17-2012, 11:45 AM	#1
mindy Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Newfoundland Posts: 990	lighting question i have been having issues with green water lately but i think i finally have it sorted. background: 66 gallon tank, no co2, eheim 2215, koralia 750, 2 54 watt t5 bulbs in a 4 ft fixture. i was keeping my light on 8 hours/day. i just put the lights back to 6 hours/day and keep the curtains closed while the light shines directly on the tank. i was using excel every day (5 mL daily) but have been busy lately and it has slipped my mind . i also use flourish comprehensive once a week. i haven't done a water change in a few days now and the water hasn't gotten any greener. it is still green, but not getting worse (like it was before). i am planning to do a big water change today and i am also going to raise the light. my question is how high should i raise the light off my tank? my tank is 20 inches tall. right now the light is sitting on the tank. also, if i raise the light off the tank should i put the light back on for 8 hours/day? thanks! Last edited by mindy; 05-17-2012 at 02:51 PM..

05-17-2012, 12:20 PM	#2
HD Blazingwolf Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (8/100%) Join Date: May 2011 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 4,736	green water is normally related to ammonia.. algae reproduces quickly in its presence because it doesnt have to expend extra energy convreting nitrate to its usuable form. plants have to do this but are larger better preparded organisms. algae is nature's cleanup tool. altought your lights may be too bright. they don't, in 99.5 % of green water cases, cause algae check filters, regulate feeding a little better, do a couple water changes. continuing mainenance wil lprevent this from happening again __________________ Sump Pimp #7 75G Rainbowfish Journal

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-17-2012, 01:15 PM	#3
mindy Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Newfoundland Posts: 990	i do not have ammonia in my tank, or at least, no ammonia that is not being taken care of by the plants/bb in my filter. i have a tons of plants, many of them are fast growing, and only a few fish. according to aquadvisor i am only stocked at 57%. i have 21 neons, 5 kuhli loaches, 5 albino cories, 2 amano shrimp, and 1 baby bristlenose pleco. also, that theory for the green water in my tank wouldn't make sense since i didn't do a water change for a week and the water didn't get any greener. i did, however, change the light. i don't understand how it could be ammonia.