Regular fluorescent tubes and ALGEA

[MichaelAngelo]

Right now I'm lighting my 125 gallon with a 40 watt cool white fluorescent tube from home depot. Even on a 6 or 7 hour photoperiod I'm still getting algea growth after a week. Then I have to keep my tank dark again =(.

Is there a color filter I an use to stop algea growth? What do you guys do?

 

[skjl47]

Hello; fresh or salt water?

 

[MichaelAngelo]

Hello; fresh or salt water?

Oh sorry, yes fresh water. And the lighting is simply decorative (because I like being able to see my fish). Should I just go to lower wattage, or is there a specific bulb type I should use? Or a clear plastic color filter of sorts?

 

[skjl47]

Hello; I like the look that brite/natural/daylight white bulbs give more than cool white as a personal preference. As far as algae goes I do not know how to stop the growth entirely. I have live plants in nearly all of my tanks and have algae on the back and side pane of glass. I scrape it off the front panel. I also keep snails in my tanks, they will help keep the algae down but do not stop all of it. I have come to accept some algae as a part of the deal. Perhaps another member will have some pointers. Sorry for the absence of help.