Sanj
23-12-08, 12:23
Hello all,
I have come from a background in keeping planted freshwater systems. While lighting is a key parameter in the success of such aquariums, it does have its limits and simply throwing more watts at it alone will not improve plant growth. The other key factors obviously include CO2 concentration in the water and nutrients. The reef system is a different environment and I am not sure as to how the science changes.
Sump area dedicated to macro-algae growth is obviously another factor in deciding the lamp wattage to use. I am looking at a mud substrate system where the mud area will be 20”x 14” and water probably 8” deep (total sump probably will be 27”x20”x 18”h). This amounts to 35 litres and I am thinking of using a single interpet 55W compact flourecent which I already having lying around. However that would be 1.6 w/litre or 7 watts per gallon!! In freshwater planted aquaria the range is 0.5-1 w/litre (2-4w/gallon). 4 wpg is the upper end for growing the really high light demanding plants in freshwater. So in this situation I probably have overkill with the lighting. Not least in a reef system it is more likely to my mind that CO2 is the limiting factor, with the amount of turbulence and naturally lower co2 concentrations with higher kH and Ph. Albeit compared to freshwater plants marine macro algae must be well adapted to lower co2 conditions in the sea.
In the ecosystem aquarium I understand that the idea is to have optimum growth of macroalgae in the sump in order for the system to work properly as a nutrient exporter (Nitrates and phosphate in particular). I will probably use my 55w compact fluorescent Daylight tube ~6,500k (ideal for photosynthesis) because I happen to already have it, but I am sure some people are going hugely above this with their lighting when they could be saving the pennies.
Unless I have got something very wrong my thinking is that if you are looking to buy a light for your macro-algae sump, around 4WPG over the growing area would be optimum.
Any thoughts?
I have come from a background in keeping planted freshwater systems. While lighting is a key parameter in the success of such aquariums, it does have its limits and simply throwing more watts at it alone will not improve plant growth. The other key factors obviously include CO2 concentration in the water and nutrients. The reef system is a different environment and I am not sure as to how the science changes.
Sump area dedicated to macro-algae growth is obviously another factor in deciding the lamp wattage to use. I am looking at a mud substrate system where the mud area will be 20”x 14” and water probably 8” deep (total sump probably will be 27”x20”x 18”h). This amounts to 35 litres and I am thinking of using a single interpet 55W compact flourecent which I already having lying around. However that would be 1.6 w/litre or 7 watts per gallon!! In freshwater planted aquaria the range is 0.5-1 w/litre (2-4w/gallon). 4 wpg is the upper end for growing the really high light demanding plants in freshwater. So in this situation I probably have overkill with the lighting. Not least in a reef system it is more likely to my mind that CO2 is the limiting factor, with the amount of turbulence and naturally lower co2 concentrations with higher kH and Ph. Albeit compared to freshwater plants marine macro algae must be well adapted to lower co2 conditions in the sea.
In the ecosystem aquarium I understand that the idea is to have optimum growth of macroalgae in the sump in order for the system to work properly as a nutrient exporter (Nitrates and phosphate in particular). I will probably use my 55w compact fluorescent Daylight tube ~6,500k (ideal for photosynthesis) because I happen to already have it, but I am sure some people are going hugely above this with their lighting when they could be saving the pennies.
Unless I have got something very wrong my thinking is that if you are looking to buy a light for your macro-algae sump, around 4WPG over the growing area would be optimum.
Any thoughts?