A BGA Observation

Hi Bill,

Could you look at it as follows:

The higher light causes a higher c02 demand. This was not met and thus BGA develops.

At the artificial light levels you are able to supply the c02 demand to keep it at bay. The sunlight caused a tip in the scales and BGA

So, is it too much light or too little c02? Or both? I vote for both.....

 

there will be a imaginary solution: install a bulkhead into the tank, separating higt ilumination vs low, having same nutrients levels, plants, but co2 with differents levels...
im with Gerry. are both. no balance between co2 and light.

a factible solution: install a kind of net fabric, or something on high iluminated half, to absorbe some light before hits the water.

regards.

 

20 Longs Cause Algae

Hi Bill,

I have not found a problem with sunshine and BGA or algae in general.

I may be a bit more tolerant of algae than many around here.

I have also noted more of a tendency to get algae in corners and below the substrate line on the glass.

The 10-gallon tank below is typical of my small outdoor tanks; this one gets the most sun, this time of year that is about three hours. It has a small circulation pump that powers the “breath reactor,” no filter, heavy EI dosing. It has an two inch enriched worm poop and kitty litter substrate.

The 20 long is outdoors in a sheltered area and this time of year gets about two hours of direct sun on one end. Inert substrate, low EI dosing ambient light, sits between two well lit 55-gallon tanks, gets "overhang" of shop lights.

Given your situation and mine, I believe we must conclude 20 longs cause algae.

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Biollante