Red Algae

[ruddybop]

I've had this one unit running in my 55G for quite some time now... The majority of it is red algae... Is this from too much light.. I have a 65W flood cfl on it about 4 inches away...

[SantaMonica]

Dark growth is almost always too-little light per square inch. BTW a 65w CFL would be about 12 inches long.

[ruddybop]

Dark growth is almost always too-little light per square inch. BTW a 65w CFL would be about 12 inches long.

Well it's a 16W cfl/ = to 65W ....5000K I guess I should have explained a little better on a 9x9 scrubber

[Garf]

I take it this is a UAS type. Is it red hair algae or calcareous algae?

[ruddybop]

I take it this is a UAS type. Is it red hair algae or calcareous algae?

yes UAS

After removing my light and looking a little closer... It's more of a muddy brown with darker green areas around it.... I don't have enough light for this size screen... It's nice and green for the initial start up grown and then turns dark because I don't have enough light.....

I gave it a good cleaning..... I have to work on some lighting for this unit and the one on the other tank....

[SantaMonica]

9 X 9 = 81 = needs 81 watts of light instead of 16.

[ruddybop]

9 X 9 = 81 = needs 81 watts of light instead of 16.


Thanks SM ....

[Floyd R Turbo]

And you need to use actual wattage, ignore the 'equivalent to' - means nothing for us.