Any light experts out there? need to know WPG loss in Paludariums.

[Spar]

with 2 algae issues driving me nuts, I am reconsidering the possibility of high light being my nemesis.

I have a 110g Paludarium (50% full of water).

The tank is 30" high. So the water level is at 15", and then there is 15" of empty space above it.

On top, I have 4 65w PC bulbs, so 260w. Over 110g, that comes to 2.4wpg. over the 55g of water, it comes to 4.8wpg.

What would you think is the actual wpg hitting the footprint of the top of the water? keeping in mind it has to go through 15" of space first, which means that some light escapes out the sides too.

as far as dosing goes, I dose more than EI recommends of everything. so at least I have excess nutrients if my lighting is actually high.

 

[VaughnH]

Re: Any light experts out there? need to know WPG loss in Paludariums.

I'm not a light expert, but I did sleep at ........ anyway: When you say you are dosing more than the EI recommended levels of everything, do you include CO2 as part of everything? If not, that would be a good place to start experimenting.

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: Any light experts out there? need to know WPG loss in Paludariums.

CO2 is all that is left, 220w on a 110 gal is fine.
Not too much and not too little for the tank.

You can turn off a 110w bank of the lights for 6 of the 10 hours also to reduce the light if you wish.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Spar]

Re: Any light experts out there? need to know WPG loss in Paludariums.

yes, co2 is at 50-60ppm.

as for the wpg, is that really how to calculate the wpg for me though? I would think the 260w over 55g would be more accurate. why would calculating it over 110g be more accurate if no water is inbetween?

i may try the idea of turning off 2 ballasts earlier.