http://www.tropica.com/article.asp?type=aquaristic&id=142
Please take note, and treat light and CO2 like you would nutrients in context of Liebig's law.
CO2 and light can be limiting in aquariums, in terrestrial systems, this is NOT the case, CO2 is not limiting, and light...well you can control it by shading or adding more with MH's etc.
Still, most aquarist need to understand light and CO2 much more to resolve their management issues with growth and algae before pursuing nutrients. This article gives a good background for this.
It also implies light should be limited and thus maximum light use efficiency is obtained.
They conclude lower light + rich CO2 is the bets management for planted aquariums.
So do I, ADA's light data from the 7 ADA tanks, including a 20# in the contest also suggest the same approach is used.
We all came to this independently, as well as many other aquarist. Something to ponder before thinking/assuming EVERYTHING is about nutrient management. If CO2 and/or light is not tested and measured well, then this can confound everything.
Regards,
Tom Barr
Please take note, and treat light and CO2 like you would nutrients in context of Liebig's law.
CO2 and light can be limiting in aquariums, in terrestrial systems, this is NOT the case, CO2 is not limiting, and light...well you can control it by shading or adding more with MH's etc.
Still, most aquarist need to understand light and CO2 much more to resolve their management issues with growth and algae before pursuing nutrients. This article gives a good background for this.
It also implies light should be limited and thus maximum light use efficiency is obtained.
They conclude lower light + rich CO2 is the bets management for planted aquariums.
So do I, ADA's light data from the 7 ADA tanks, including a 20# in the contest also suggest the same approach is used.
We all came to this independently, as well as many other aquarist. Something to ponder before thinking/assuming EVERYTHING is about nutrient management. If CO2 and/or light is not tested and measured well, then this can confound everything.
Regards,
Tom Barr