Will This Work?

[VidVid]

I have a 30 gallon, 36 inch tank illuminated by a 20 watt, 24 inch flurescent light. My plants are currently low light plants such as anubias, java moss and crypts. I recently purchased an amazon sword buut have to wait a few weeks for a new 30 watt globe that would increase the light intensity to 50 watts (in correspondense with my 20 watt tube). In the mean time, will opening the blinds next to my light allowing indirect sunlight to further illuminate my tank in correspondense to the 20 watt light increase the lighting all together to further help my plants such as the sword which requires a lot more light than the others... If so, how much would opening the blinds have an effect on my overall lighting and plants???
Thanks in advanced....

 

[afishdude]

do not lets sunlight into your tank, it promotes alge.

 

[VidVid]

i am aware it promotes algae, but will the Indirect sunlight also promote a better growth in plants such as the amazon sword which requires extra light not given by the 20 watt fluroscent??? I also note that what im doing (opening the blinds) is temporary and that most probably in a week or so, i will be buying a 30 watt globe to add the total wattage to 50....
If opening the blinds (allowing indirect sunlight to enter), is not a good idea, do you think the amazon sword will hold off in a low light (o.6w/g) condition just one more week or until i purchase the new 30 watt fluorescent tube???
Thankyou again...

 

[Sammie7]

You'd be surprised at how resilient plants are. The amazon sword should be fine with the light from your tank, until you get your new lighting in a week. As long as it gets the components needed for healthy growth( eg. fertilizers and correct lighting) it should bounce right back. Though I don't think a little ambient lighting from the window is going to hurt anything. Algae can grow in almost any lighting condition. PITA if you ask me. Most people probably would be better at growing algae than other plants.

 

[ChrisC]

do not lets sunlight into your tank, it promotes alge.

What's the scientific reasoning behind that?

 

[PaulEbs]

The sword will be fine in low light for the time being, the newer leaves will probably be more sword-like and slow-growing but once more light is produced it will react, and hopefully grow a little faster.

Direct sunlight, indirect sunlight, fluorescent lighting, or no lighting at all will most likely produce algae growth - there's no stopping the buggar. But what I think thefishdude was implying was direct sunlight is one of the main algae producing sources of light.

indirect sunlight, meaning daylight entering the room through the window is almost a must in my opinion, as this is natural light.

Paul.

 

[ChrisC]

Direct sunlight, indirect sunlight, fluorescent lighting, or no lighting at all will most likely produce algae growth

I'm going to have to disagree there. Light induces photo-synthesis, not necessarily algae (and of course bga isn't even photosynthetic). There's too many factors imo to be able to say one thing causes algae. One thing is usually true though: healthy, growing plants is the best defense against algae.

Chris

 

[PaulEbs]

What I'm trying to say is anything can produce algae growth, not one specific light, nor one specific thing.

 

[VidVid]

kk...thanks, il take all your replies into consideration. For now, il just leave my 20 watt as well as letting in indirect sunlight for the time being until my new lighting arrives...

 

[Sammie7]

I think you'll be alright with 50 watts over a 30 gallon. That would be less than 2 watts per gallon (1.6 watts approximately), so it should be fine.

 

[VidVid]

Ok...
Btw...i dont have any CO2 systems, is getting a CO2 system NECESSARY if i increase the lighting??? or can i just stick with the root tabs and let the plants live off the natural CO2 obtained from fish waste after i get my new lights???
Thanks again...