Why split the photo period?

[RightTurnClyde]

I finally got a proper light for my 29 Gallon planted tank. I went with the Finnex Planted Plus. Much brighter than what I had before! I've seen a lot of people lately mentioning splitting the photo period. Like 4 hours on, a couple hours off and then 4 more hours on. Just curious what exactly this accomplishes. Is it to reduce algae growth or does it help the plants grow faster?


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[clarkm]

It is to reduce algae growth. I do 3 hours on in the morning then 4 off and then 5 on. I use to do straight 8 hours and had lots of bba algae. Since switching to split period it is gone now. I also have the planted plus. Sweet light and my plants are growing great.


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[Rivercats]

Algae needs a longer photoperiod to grow than aquatic plants so when you do a midday siesta it interrupts the algae's photoperiod making it hard and for some types impossible to grow.

 

[RightTurnClyde]

Good to know! Thanks guys. I switched my timer to do 4 on, 2.5 off, and then 4 on again. Does that sound good, or is it better to have a longer break in the middle?

 

[Brookster123]

What tank you drop.that bad boy on?
Edit, missed the 29.in original post..
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[Sk3lly]

Good to know! Thanks guys. I switched my timer to do 4 on, 2.5 off, and then 4 on again. Does that sound good, or is it better to have a longer break in the middle?

I think your being brave starting at a total of 8 hours. Especially seeing as its a new light. You need to rediscover the lighting balance.
I would be inclined to go 3 on, 3off, 3 on. Then slowly up the photoperiod until you start seeing algae growth. Then back off slightly again to your sweet spot


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[RightTurnClyde]

I think your being brave starting at a total of 8 hours. Especially seeing as its a new light. You need to rediscover the lighting balance.
I would be inclined to go 3 on, 3off, 3 on. Then slowly up the photoperiod until you start seeing algae growth. Then back off slightly again to your sweet spot


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Good idea. I'm already getting some green algae on the front glass, but I think that has more to do with the fact that I've started adding some ferts as well.

 

[Yumar]

I finally got a proper light for my 29 Gallon planted tank. I went with the Finnex Planted Plus. Much brighter than what I had before! I've seen a lot of people lately mentioning splitting the photo period. Like 4 hours on, a couple hours off and then 4 more hours on. Just curious what exactly this accomplishes. Is it to reduce algae growth or does it help the plants grow faster?


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Do u know the PAR for that fixture?? I have a ray 2 for my 29g i will like to know which on have a higher par

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[Sk3lly]

Good idea. I'm already getting some green algae on the front glass, but I think that has more to do with the fact that I've started adding some ferts as well.

Algae isnt caused by an excess of ferts/nutrients.

EI dosing is based on flooding the tank with more ferts than are necessary


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[RightTurnClyde]

Do u know the PAR for that fixture?? I have a ray 2 for my 29g i will like to know which on have a higher par

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I know the Ray2 has a higher output of light, but wasn't sure how that translates to PAR.

Found this quote on another site, FWIW:
"Comparing the two 24" fixtures the Ray2 has PAR=74 @12" and the Planted+ has PAR=61 @12" (about 20% less)."

 

[mattcham]

Good idea. I'm already getting some green algae on the front glass, but I think that has more to do with the fact that I've started adding some ferts as well.

Algae is due to too much light and not enough CO2. Either have to reduce photoperiod or increase CO2. Are you using a drop checker to measure CO2?

 

[RightTurnClyde]

Algae isnt caused by an excess of ferts/nutrients.

EI dosing is based on flooding the tank with more ferts than are necessary


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Interesting! I'm still getting the hang of the "planted" part of my planted tank. I thought the idea of having a lot of plants was so that they compete with the algae for the nutrients. I took this to mean that if you have more nutrients than your plants can use, you will end up with more algae? Is this not how it works?

 

[RightTurnClyde]

Algae is due to too much light and not enough CO2. Either have to reduce photoperiod or increase CO2. Are you using a drop checker to measure CO2?

I'm not injecting CO2, but I do have some Excel. I guess I should try to start dosing with that now that I have some real light. Does Dwarf Sag handle Excel OK? Those are the guys I'm really trying to get healthy and growing well so they start carpeting the front of my tank.

 

[azmodan]

Dwarf sag does fine with high doses of excel and should work well for you in your tank with that light.


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[clarkm]

I have the planted plus and I dose metricide 14 at 20 ml undiluted. I have had dwarf sag for 3 months now and it had just started spreading like crazy. I started with 5 big plants and now have like 20 total.




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[RightTurnClyde]

I have the planted plus and I dose metricide 14 at 20 ml undiluted. I have had dwarf sag for 3 months now and it had just started spreading like crazy. I started with 5 big plants and now have like 20 total.

Sweet! I've had mine for about a month and they haven't done much. Several leaves went transparent and melted away, so hopefully some new growth will start soon, especially now that they have decent light. I should really get in there and trim the dead stuff away, but they are baby plants and it's hard to do it accurately.

 

[AnthonyDuong]

Would splitting the photoperiod have any negative effects on the fish? Since it no longer simulates a day and night cycle


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[Rivercats]

Fish do fine plus if you have your siesta during the day the tank gets ambient room light.

 

[mattcham]

Is there any benefit or harm to using 2 hrs On then 2 hrs Off, on an infinite repeat (24/7)?

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[Fresh2o]

Is there any benefit or harm to using 2 hrs On then 2 hrs Off, on an infinite repeat (24/7)?
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I'm thinking that fish and plants require a several hour period to totally relax and shutdown/recharge. I believe plant growth also occurs during non-light periods as well. IMO the 2 on/off schedule would do more harm than good.