Speakerman
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Well, I have a huge pleco that eats 24/7. I've been trying to get some green algae to grow on the large rocks in my aquarium, but it's not really growing fast enough before the pleco eats it all. It's a 125 gallon standard tank, 6' long with 72 watts of fluorescent light. In addition, there is a 20 gallon sump/refugium underneath with 32 watts of fluorescent light, plants, shrimp ect. I also use 2 canister filters along with a UV sterilizer and 2 big powerheads in the tank. the overflow is about 500 gph.
I was trying to figure out a relatively cheap way to add more light to the top tank and get some algae growing on the rocks. I was at Home Depot and saw some 150w halogen flood lights that would fit perfectly in my setup, one on each side facing down @ about 35 degree angle. Now I know they run hot but I think I have that covered.
Are there any other concerns I should be worried about?
I was trying to figure out a relatively cheap way to add more light to the top tank and get some algae growing on the rocks. I was at Home Depot and saw some 150w halogen flood lights that would fit perfectly in my setup, one on each side facing down @ about 35 degree angle. Now I know they run hot but I think I have that covered.
Are there any other concerns I should be worried about?
) you'll have algae all right. Especially beneath them lights. Now I know this is all because you're concerned about your Pleco, we all are. But I can only re-inforce what everybody's been saying, Give your Pleco them veggies man. I know it's a pain in the rear but ummm, maybe you could make a feeder of some sort? A weighted stake or barb you could stab the veggies on to. Like maybe... a piece of rock or corral with the stake or barb secured to it somehow. (silicone?) Take it out, stick the veggies on and back in the tank. Personally, I'd stay away from growing algae on purpose. I guess it wouldn't hurt anything but it sounds like you have such a nice, clean, well kept tank. And algae's just sooooo...
