Bright white substrate and algae?

[Sicklid]

Can algae growth be helped along by a bright white substrate, or conversely, be hindered by a dark grey/brown/black substrate? I am just wondering if anyone has a theory on this... I am thinking you just don't notice it as much on the darker substrate.

 

[Zezmo]

I am thinking you just don't notice it as much on the darker substrate.

That would be my vote.

 

[zenkatydid]

one of our tanks has a bright white substrate and i am positive that it raises the light content of the tank by the equivalent of about .5wpg due to reflection.

 

[Sicklid]

one of our tanks has a bright white substrate and i am positive that it raises the light content of the tank by the equivalent of about .5wpg due to reflection.

Thats the term I was missing.. Reflection. I think the same thing, but I am not positive... Wouldn't this same reflection be good for the plants as well? I know my algae issues are not due to the substrate choice by any stretch, but I have the sneaking suspicion that the algae likes the added rays...

 

[zenkatydid]

my opinion is that it does help the plants, yes. i also noticed that when i added a black background to my big tank (instead of the light reflecting off the white wall behind the tank) it got a little darker. environment definitely makes the difference.

 

[travis simonson]

On that note, I wonder what would happen if, instead of substrate, I put a mirror on the bottom of my tank. Other than scaring the crap out of the fish, I'll bet it would do wonders for increasing the lighting Just a thought.