Light spectrum for green algae growth

[Rift485]

Full disclosure I don’t have a planted tank but figured this would be the right audience for my question.

After years of fighting diatoms I was finally able to get some green algae growth (which I want) by increasing the number of hours the light was on per day to around 12-13. Then I had a company clean my tank and they dumped algae killer in which destroyed all my progress. Im now a few water changes beyond that and am still not getting any growth.

Hoping for input on the optimal # of hours to keep the light on per day and the best color balance to promote green algae growth on the decor using what I know is a somewhat underpowered light. FYI the intensity of all colors are fully adjustable (white, red, green and blue).

Tank: 40BSA cichlids, pH 6.5
Light: 36” Current Orbit Marine LED 36w
Dual Actinic blue 445nm/460nm
Dual Daylight white 6,700K/10,000K
RGB LEDs

Current setting:




Thanks fam!

 

[Rift485]

Bump!

I’m wondering how long whatever algae killer she put in lasts. have done 4 50% water changes since.

Any other input on light hours and spectrum would be great

 

[Fishman Dave]

Best algae growth should be under daylight conditions and generally it’s not the wavelength that is the most important thing, so much as the intensity of the lights and duration (12-14 hrs).
algae tend to grow best under white light however different algae do grow under different light, some preferring high blue lighting and indeed some under red.
personally I would stick to the daylight setting at max brightness and on for 14 hrs until algae starts to take hold and adjust time from there.

 

[Rift485]

Ok I’ll give that a try! Thank you