Sometimes less is more

[seangee]

We often speak of the balance between light and nutrients when it comes to algae and plants. And as @Byron points out intensity is as important as duration.
Last week I mentioned that I had been opening the blinds and had a little bba. This week I left them closed and it has already started reducing in the 20G. However in the nano (Fluval Flex) I also reduced the intensity from 80% to 50%. The results are really pleasing. Not only has the bba all but gone, but the little bits of algae that were on the leaves have pretty much gone and the leaves are all lovely and green and look clean.

I never really bothered about the algae because it was never increasing and well under control. You could only ever see it if you looked closely or took a closeup pic. The plants are growing well. I replanted some cuttings last week and these are thriving. Overall the plants have never looked so good. The bba is dying in the other tank but it still has bits of algae on some of the plants - this one does not have an adjustable light. I never adjusted the time in either tank or changed anything else.

So in contrast to everyone else my next upgrade to the (maybe not so) budget thai tank will be adjustable lights so that I can make it dimmer.

 

[AquaBarb]

Im glad youve posted this....Ive recently started to get bba in my 15g on some of my plants (ive never had it before). Ill be moving it soon but it is in a room at the moment what gets more sunlight than other rooms in the house. Normally the blinds are drawn to a point where the direct light doesnt hit the tank but Im wondering now if the blinds have been up more lately letting more sunlight in.

That could be why im getting it