Too much light??

[ricardo48]

Im still having algae issues when EI dosing and i think I might have found the problem?


I have a 15 gallon tank with 2x24 watt T5 HO 6700K tubes.

I read that T5 give 135% lumen output compared with t12 which is what the "WPG" rules were based on


With this im getting 2x24 x 1.35 = 64.8W divide by 15 gallons is 4.32 wpg.


This is considered high light and my lights are on for 9 hours a day. I am over dosing seachem ferts daily but my co2 is diy and fluctuates from 25-40ppm.

Is my co2 the thing causing the inbalance and not providing enough for my high light levels. In turn leading to my GSA and hair algae growth? My nutrients ( kno3, p04 etc) are all overdosed so im ruling those out?

Is it worth taking a tube out and running just 1 24 watt T5? or will this be too low light?

 

[Bige]

How is CO2 delivered? In something that catches in a bubble? Make sure CO2 does not go into filter. This will kill your good bacteria causing algae blooms.

 

[ricardo48]

Internal reactor running of independant powerhead.

 

[Bige]

Does CO2 turn off at night? Plants only use during day light. Lights are very strong but I had HQI 150w on a 30 gallon planted tank and had no algae. It might be the spectrum. Maybe you could change to a grow light for indoor house plants.

 

[ricardo48]

DIY co2 so no it maintains PH at 7.2 24 hours a day give or take co2 respiration at night by plants.

6700K is the ideal spectrum for plants so no need to change that.