Do I Need Lighting?

[Clarousel]

I have a tank on my desk and currently is doesn't have lighting cause I wanted to keep it simple. I have elodea and java fern in it. Just wondering if I should get a light for the tank?

It's placed under a window so although there's no direct sunlight, it does get some light.

I worry that the elodea will die or something. Read on the web that if it doesn't receive enough light, the bottom leaves will turn yellow

 

[Noahs ark6]

you defineately need a light, and i suggest you move it away from the window as there will be alot of algae growth

 

[fluttermoth]

Actually, no you don't need a light, unless your growing plants, although Java fern and anubias will grow in ambient room light; the elodea might go yellow.

 

[Clarousel]

Actually, no you don't need a light, unless your growing plants, although Java fern and anubias will grow in ambient room light; the elodea might go yellow.

Yes I think my elodea is turning yellow I guess the bit of light that shines on it in the day is insufficient. Will consider picking up a light the next time I go to the lfs then.

Correct me if I'm wrong, the lighting doesn't increase chances of algae growth does it? Algae grows because of insufficient oxygen levels and a few other factors?

 

[Noahs ark6]

Actually, no you don't need a light, unless your growing plants, although Java fern and anubias will grow in ambient room light; the elodea might go yellow.

Yes I think my elodea is turning yellow I guess the bit of light that shines on it in the day is insufficient. Will consider picking up a light the next time I go to the lfs then.

Correct me if I'm wrong, the lighting doesn't increase chances of algae growth does it? Algae grows because of insufficient oxygen levels and a few other factors?

sunlight will create alot of algae, using a light system and having the tank away from a window will make a difference to the levels of algae and is better for your plants

 

[RadaR]

It's placed under a window so although there's no direct sunlight, it does get some light.

I'd give it a go mate.
There's nothing different or fancy about sunlight that promotes algae more than any other type of light. It's just too much can be a problem but isn't that the same for all light..

Algae is caused by excess light. End of. Strictly speaking algae spores need light and ammonia to bloom however the more light there is, the less ammonia needed.

The yellowing of the leaves might simply be lack of nutrient rather than lack of light. If you tap water contains good nutrient levels then a few water changes a week should help.

Take a look at "back to basics"

 

[Clarousel]

It's placed under a window so although there's no direct sunlight, it does get some light.

I'd give it a go mate.
There's nothing different or fancy about sunlight that promotes algae more than any other type of light. It's just too much can be a problem but isn't that the same for all light..

Algae is caused by excess light. End of. Strictly speaking algae spores need light and ammonia to bloom however the more light there is, the less ammonia needed.

The yellowing of the leaves might simply be lack of nutrient rather than lack of light. If you tap water contains good nutrient levels then a few water changes a week should help.

Take a look at "back to basics"

Yeah I was wondering what's the difference with sunlight and artificial light. So excess light = no good!

My tank is directly under the window and the window doesn't face the sunny areas of my house so lighting is really quite low. It does get some sunlight but it's really little that's why I worry about the elodea.

Not sure about the nutrients in my water. Currently cycling the tank so I've been doing daily water changes.

Been reading the information on algae and setting up a planted tank. I don't dose CO2 or nutrients, is that alright?

 

[RadaR]

Been reading the information on algae and setting up a planted tank. I don't dose CO2 or nutrients, is that alright?

Again, that's all down to how much light there is. And seeing as how you're getting light naturally it's hard for us to work out. Therefore this is going to be a bit of trial and error.

It would be more simple if you got a clip on light as suggested by Noahs ark6. This way we can determine what extra care the plants require.
Completely up to you. I think using the natural light would be a cool project.

 

[Clarousel]

Eeks

Well to be honest I really dislike artificial light. I don't like how it looks purplish/bluish haha.
I'll see how it goes. If the elodea starts to seriously turn yellow, I'll consider getting the light then.

I actually have another tank and it's on the patio. I have a light for it but I hardly use it, only at night when I'm outside. Is it strange that I don't use artificial light?

 

[hanny93]

my tank was on a windowsill. within a few weeks the entire tank was covered in hair algae so much so i couldnt see into the tank. it covered everything even the moss.

id move it

 

[RadaR]

Eeks

Well to be honest I really dislike artificial light. I don't like how it looks purplish/bluish haha.
I'll see how it goes. If the elodea starts to seriously turn yellow, I'll consider getting the light then.

I actually have another tank and it's on the patio. I have a light for it but I hardly use it, only at night when I'm outside. Is it strange that I don't use artificial light?

You can get different colours of artifical lights.
Not that it matters to plants what so ever but if you look at the kelvin rating on the bulb it can give you an idea as to the colour you'll get. Lower kelvin ratings are warmer colours whereas higher kelvin ratings are cooler.

Daylight is a good inbetween. You're looking at around 6500Kelvin.

This is for t5 bulbs but just to give you an idea.

 

[Clarousel]

You can get different colours of artifical lights.
Not that it matters to plants what so ever but if you look at the kelvin rating on the bulb it can give you an idea as to the colour you'll get. Lower kelvin ratings are warmer colours whereas higher kelvin ratings are cooler.

Daylight is a good inbetween. You're looking at around 6500Kelvin.

This is for t5 bulbs but just to give you an idea.

I see I see. Never knew that Will keep that in mind if I do get a light.

Thanks for the help and the link

 

[Clarousel]

Oh yeah one more question ><

If my elodea turns yellow, after getting a light would it slowly regain it's green colour?

 

[RadaR]

Well, we still dont know what attributed to the yellowing. It takes more energy to heal an old/infected leaf than it does to form a new one. Hence why we trim areas of a plant that arent doing well and bin them. Obviously if the whole stem goes yellow then its time to buy more

 

[Clarousel]

Well, we still dont know what attributed to the yellowing. It takes more energy to heal an old/infected leaf than it does to form a new one. Hence why we trim areas of a plant that arent doing well and bin them. Obviously if the whole stem goes yellow then its time to buy more

Alright. Currently it's the bottom leaves that are yellowing though I can't remember if they were yellow when I bought them.. Will see how it goes. Thanks RadaR