algae and light spectrum?

[snip84]

what spectrum of light does algae grow on? some say blue, others say red...what is it!!???

[krackerjacksna]

All spectrums

[Criley7]

what spectrum of light does algae grow on? some say blue, others say red...what is it!!???

It grows best under a more red spectrum.

[snip84]

so selecting a bulb spectrum with low or without red is the best choice, right?

[pablom617]

so selecting a bulb spectrum with low or without red is the best choice, right?

 

No.. you need red in your light source so get correct color rendition. You should look for a full spectrum light source (nothing that is focused in one area) and keep your nutrient levels low to avoid algae. Even a 20K metal halide system (which is heavy in the blue spectrum) can grow algae with excess nutrients (phosphate and nitrates)

[snip84]

would a t5 life-glo in combination with a actinic do the job? i have now a actinic with power-glo. and it seems to work. you can find the spectrums here:

 

http://toptropicals.com/html/aqua/equip/ha...mps.htm#LifeGlo