too much green algae...?

Question

ive had an aquarium (freshwater) for a couple years now with no problems but in the past couple months ive had alot of green algae growing on the glass and substrate pebbles, i dont know why i have so much all of a sudden, i did change ythe lighting from regular flourescent to t5 lights with blue spectrum (not sure if ive expressed that properly but hopefully you know what im trying to describe) but my other two tanks are also having algae problems as well. could it be temperature? too much natural light?

Answer 1

While light does add to the algae problem, other factors need to be considered as well.

Extra food for algae in the tank. Test your tap water. there could be a higher source of nitrate and phosphates in the tap water feeding the algae. Also leading to the higher growth.

Your new light is also adding to it. However try adding Phosporus pads to your filter. These inexpensive pads will absorbe the excess and not give the algae as much food to eat cutting down on growth.

Since we are all going thru a warmer than usual May, check your temps on the tank. The change in lighting can also add excess heat to the tank.

Answer 2

you answered your own question nul punt to the rest of us, t5's have far better penetration than the old t8's did, also you bought one with a blue spectrum you really want yellow/red spectrum for your freshwater, especially plants basically you've got a hard light it needs to be softer.

AJ

Answer 3

Algae is a plant, if you expose plants to more light, they will grow, they are "Autotrophic" (they make their own food through "Photosythesis").