"Raising your tank LIGHT" to reduce algae?

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BassetsForBrown

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Dec 2, 2012
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**Meant to title the thread "raising your tank LIGHT"***
I was recently looking at something online about algae and light. Obviously having the light on too long could cause algae, but this suggested that raising the light so that it is farther away from the water can also help inhibit algae.
This smells a bit like bull to me, but not so much so that it's totally improbable, so I was wondering what other people's experiences or thoughts on this are?

Thanks
 
I don't think that would work. The best way to reduce algae is good water changes. Not to many not to few. waste is what feeds algae.
 
It does work but not a ton. Its more for fine tuning when you have almost the right lighting but are a bit over on lighting. Topping off a tank will have a similar effect. I notice having my water down an extra inch (rimless tank) builds up algae growth quickly. Par data is out there to support this, mostly on planted forums
 
If you have the right tank for one and don't have that bad of a problem, why don't you just get a fish to do the cleaning for you? Plecos usually work for freshwater communities.


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Raising the tank light away from the surface would reduce PAR rating but you would have to raise it a significant distance to get a large drop in PAR which isn't really worth it or feasible. Less light duration is your best bet.

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zandernater said:
If you have the right tank for one and don't have that bad of a problem, why don't you just get a fish to do the cleaning for you? Plecos usually work for freshwater communities.


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Click to expand...

I haven't had any luck w/ plecos plus they all create a lot of waste which feeds algae.

IME what works:

1. Reducing light time
2. Increase water changes
3. Feed fish less
4. Clean filter often
5. Scrub glass



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Raising the light really is more of a planted tank thing, where the decrease in par would decrease the light algae can use, but also make for better plant growth (assuming your tank isn't capable of handling the level of lighting before raising the light fixture) which would more significantly decrease algae
 
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