Blue LED's & Algae?

[NanaReefer]

Can blue led's cause algae issues if ramped to high?

 

[Daniel@R2R]

I think algae is actually more linked to red spectrum (often from whiter lights) than blue spectrum...but someone who knows more about photosynthesis can confirm or deny.

 

[mberthiaume3205]

Algae's photosynthesis is driven by red-yellow spectrum while it can grow with blue its growth is severely reduced. Corals have evolved to use blue and uv light to grow due to the depths that they grow.

 

[NanaReefer]

So would my corals then be ok under my blues only? Until I get a handle on this funky algae that's invaded my SB.
As it is my whites are on for 5hrs at 20% max.
It is a newer tank. Used live sand. I've never dealt with this crap before. It looks like diatoms but there's little tufts of green HA throughout.

 

[preston469]

I'm dealing with the same issue

 

[mberthiaume3205]

if you are having algae issues do a 3 day black out, your corals will do fine and your algae issue will go away, make sure you check your skimmer 2-3 time a day, and you will have to do 2-3 water large changes (25-50%) just to make sure your nitrogen levels down go crazy.

 

[mberthiaume3205]

I'm not sure what your are running lighting wise but I run 2 Ati coral+ 6 Ati Blue+ 1 Purple+ 1 Aquablue special, that's a super blue spectrum, the purple+ and aquablue special are only on for 2 hrs a day, the coral+ are on for 4 hrs and the rest phase for 8 hrs but I have a total photo period of 12 hrs.

 

[jaron]

I had a green hair algae problem for awhile in my biocube 14, cut my blue led lights down 3 hours and over a few months the problem has receded. Don't know if that was the only factor, but i feel it was related.

 

[7hogwarts]

If you're having algae Issues, I would also suggest you look at the bioload and how much you feed the tank. Also check nitrate and phosphate levels.

 

[NanaReefer]

40B/20L sump. Filter sock/in sump skimmer 65g (rated) Sicce Syncra 2.0 return. MP10 & WP10. Fuge area is 13x12x8 Chaeto/LR. Reef Radiance LumenTek Pro 180 LED's 12 1/2" off waters surface.

2 Fish both at 2" assorted snails and 1 Scarlet Hermit.
Feed sparingly 2x a day.
No dosing of any kind.
10g bi-weekly WC RO/DI.

PO4=0.01
NO2/NO3=.0
Ammonia=.0
CA=440
ALK=8.6
Mag=1600

 

[jack89]

hey all how to deal with brown/diatom algae ?

my tank is a year old and still has diatoms showing up .... what could be the reason ?

 

[NanaReefer]

Start a new thread!!!

 

[FishDooD65]

Ive heard many other experienced reefers say that white lights and red spectrum contribute to algae growth. Make sure your bulbs are new if not running LEDs. Blue LEDs are supposedly not meant to cause algae growth. I worked at a LFS where the owner would run only blue LEDs for 8 hours everyday. All the corals survived even a display with softies and LPS lit with blue LED chinese boxes for a few years. I personally only run white/red/green LEDs for three hours and run my blue and violet LEDS for 11 hours.

 

[NanaReefer]

Ok. I'm only running my whites (LED's) for 5hrs at 20% max. Blues for 10hrs maxing out at 50% Both ramping up/down.
Ok so now I can look to other causes for the algae on my SB