Interesting info on LEDS and Algae Growth Options

[pakirri]

I builded an LED light fixture a while ago, and to make the story short two of my buckpucks died, leaving me with only two. So 1 half is Royal Blues and the other Half are cool whites...

I have been noticing that on the Cool White half, there is ton of algae growth, and its kind of green. On the Royal Blue side, there is almost no algae. My guess is that algae grows better on that spectrum that the Cool Whites create.

So if there is any person with algae problems maybe lowering the intensity of the whites might help a bit.

This post has been edited by pakirri: Nov 3 2009, 07:58 PM

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[DoubleD]

I have been noticing that on the Cool White half, there is ton of algae growth, and its kind of green. On the Royal Blue side, there is almost no algae. My guess is that algae grows better on that spectrum that the Cool Whites create.

Turn the fixture around 180 degrees. See if the algae shows up on the blue side.

I dunno....

[juniormmm]

Algae favors a lower light spectrum. Anything 10k and under will really increase algae growth. This is why that side of the tank is growing more algae. And if you had a 5k spectrum running next to the 10k, the 5k side would have MUCH more algae growth than the 10k side. Algae tends to favor the reddish light spectrum and thrives in it.

[pakirri]

Algae favors a lower light spectrum. Anything 10k and under will really increase algae growth. This is why that side of the tank is growing more algae. And if you had a 5k spectrum running next to the 10k, the 5k side would have MUCH more algae growth than the 10k side. Algae tends to favor the reddish light spectrum and thrives in it.

That makes alot of sense thanks

[juniormmm]

That makes alot of sense thanks

That is also why most fuge lights are in the 5000k-6500k range. They want the "good" algae to grow as fast as possible to absorb the nutrients before the "bad" algae gets a chance to.