Algae & Lighting Question

[Bottom Dweller]

There is a lot of brown algae growing on the rocks and gravel in my tank.
I read that this is caused by low light levels.
Since I was only running the overhead lights for approx 5 hours a day, I
figured that was the problem and left the light on for about 10 hours.
Found a floater this morning - no deaths in past 6 months - coincidence or cuz of the increased light the past few days? The tank has been up and running for about a year.

Result:
more brown algae on the gravel and rocks and more green algae on the glass.

I currently have the standard two strip fluorescent that comes with most hoods.

ANY SUGGESTIONS?

 

[cichlidlovr]

Do you have a nitrate test kit? it will tell you if you have high nitrates in the water would could cause the algae blooms. You can lower that by doing 10% water changes, make sure you have a full spectrum flourescent bulb and it needs to be left on for about 10-12 hours a day depending on season. Do you have live plants in your tank? live plants absorb nitrates, that's also another option for you.
being you have posted this in the cichlid forum you would be limited to the live plants you can use being most cichlids will try and eat them, java fern is a very hardy plant that most fish will not try to eat.

 

[fufanu360]

i think you have that backwards, doesnt high lighting cause algae?

i have bad algae, nitrates arent always the prob

 

[freddyk]

brown (diatom) algae is much different then green algae. Usually more light will encourage the brown algae to grow as healthy green algae. Apparently excess of silica in the tank also encourages brown algae, but don't quote me on that.

How many watts are on your tank and how tall is your tank?

 

[Bottom Dweller]

No, I do not have a nitrate test kit.
The test kit I have only has a nitrite test which was 0
I'll check the lfs store for a nitrate test kit.

No live plants yet but thinking about it. Hard to grow/maintain?

The flourescent tube is a 32 watt, came with the hood made by all glass
The tank is 21" high and 48" wide.

Think switching to a different tube that also enhances fish color would be a good idea? I heard some combine two different types??

 

[freddyk]

The most important aspect of enhancing the fish color is the amount of light. For that tank a dual 35-40 watt strip light would be nice.

The color of the light is personal preference. I prefer white light to show the fishes real colors, but many people use bluer lights, like 50/50 to make the fish look more violette then they really are.