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BBA, Light intensity & photo period

sbishop1488

New Member
Joined
22 Jan 2021
Messages
13
Location
Hartlepool
Hi,
I have an ADA 60-P with a Twinstar 600E light which outputs a maximum of 2400 lumins. I have had this light running on a 6 1/2 hr photoperiod with a maximum intensity of 40%, the light ramps up over 15 mins and then ramps down for last 15 mins so the tank is subjected to 40% for 6 hrs only.

I developed some BBA when I added pressurised CO2, I had some issues at the start since I discovered the in-line diffuser was leaking. I believe this fluctuating CO2 caused my current BBA issues.

I have recently performed a major clean of the filter, pipes etc and trimmed all plants with visible signs (although I know I’ll have missed some). One other problem that may have lead to this problem is I wasn’t fertilising the tank enough, probably not by a long way. I have now switched to EI ferts and I can’t see the plants responding. I want to get the plants healthy and growing well to help keep the BBA on the back burner and thought in this instance I should be increasing my light intensity, I’m looking at 50% (which will give me 25 lumins per litre which should be ideal since I have some Medium category plants which need between 20/30 lumins per litre). Will increasing my photo period by 5% per week cause the BBA to get worse or as I’ve read elsewhere the light intensity shouldn’t influence it. I also think I need to increase my photo period to 8 hrs to give the plants a longer period to grow. What’s best should I increase intensity first and keep photo period the same or increase photo period to 8 hrs then ramp up the intensity?

All input seriously appreciated.

Many thanks
 
Hi Tim, thank you for your input. Below is the requested details:
1) ADA 60-P (60x36x30, 60 litres) - set-up since 18/07/2020
2) Oase Biomaster 250 Thermo, with SeaChem Matrix (250ml) and original media supplied
3) Twinstar 600E running at 40% for 6 hr's with additional 15 mins each side ramp up/down, lights on 15:45, tank is shielded from light during day
4) Tropica Aquarium Soil, with root tabs
5) CO2 Art Pro Series SE regulator, in-line diffuser, 3.5kg bottle, around 3 bps (on 12pm off 9pm)
6) Tropica Specialised and Premium, this is the area I didn't understand, at first was dosing 4 pumps of Premium once a week with water change, was getting Green Spot Algae so changed to Specialised on same schedule, then changed to 1 pump Premium and 1 pump Specialised on a rotating daily basis
7) I change around 60% per week without fail, for a month I was change twice a week but noticed no difference
8) Plants (see below for full list)
9) 9 Purple Harlequins, 6 Ember Tetras, 8 Blue Neon Rasbora's, a lot (around 100-150) Orange Sakura Shrimp, around 8 Amano Shrimp, 4/5 Netrite snails, 2 Siamese Algae Eaters (these are temporary additions)

tank.JPG
Plant list:

Bucephalandra 'Kedagang'

Bucephalandra pygmaea 'Wavy Green'

Limnophila hippuridoides

Limnophila sessiliflora (recent addition)

Microsorum pteropus 'Narrow'

Rotala rotundifolia

Anubias barteri 'Petite'

Cryptocoryne x willisii

Cyperus helferi

Hydrocotyle tripartita

Hygrophila polysperma (recent addition)

Blyxa japonica

Helanthium tenellum 'Green'

Limnobium laevigatum

Marsilea hirsuta

Rotala rotundifolia 'Green' (recent addition)

Fissidens fontanus

 
I can't see am awful lot wrong with that. It's a nice looking tank. Except perhaps the internodes of your stems seem a bit elongated, which might be a result of lowish light.

I'd increase both intensity and duration. But not at he same time. Increase intensity gradually first, 50% might be enough but I'd be inclined to go for 60%. Once you're happy with that then slowly increase the photoperiod to around 8hrs.

Keep an eye on your CO2 and ensure that you have a lime green drop checker at lights on all the way till lights off. Light drives photosynthesis and as your plants grow their CO2 demand will increase. And try to ensure it remains stable.

Tropica Specialised, is an all-in-one fert with NPK and traces.
Tropica Premium, is just traces.

Take a look at the algae guides here

Keep up with the tank maintenance and water changes, keep your filter clean.
 
Thanks for your input. I will start with the intensity first, I was wondering which to start with so again thanks. Should I increase the intensity say 2% per day or just jump up in 5% increments?
 
I'd increase a bit more gradually than that, around 5% every 3 days.
To increase photoperiod, I'd use a similar time frame, 15 mins every 3 days or so.
Either way, it's important to pay attention to any changes and feel your way. And ultimately it's up to you.
 
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