From a 6pack to a 12pack
A massive reduction in light. Probably down to about 40PAR at the substrate. I also lowered Macro's by about 20%. This allowed the endless tank cleanings and spot dosing to get ahead of the algae returning. I would also move out plants to two other tanks that would clear this algae in a few weeks. I would then move large groups of healthy plants from those tanks back into the affected tanks to maintain plant mass. Oh, we were doing 80% water changes after each spot dosing session. The spot dosing was heavy and dangerous, so the 80% changes were required. But for sure, the immediate response was when the PAR was reduced.
Freaking right! In fact, I'm officially on the wagon. Drank way to much during all of this
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This is something that doesnt get talked about enough. The amount of time anything takes in tanks this size are a commitment.
I think you were probably like me. I had reduced my light 3 times and really thought I had a reasonable light level, but when I rented a PAR meter, I was still at like 160. I still have my light at the upper end of "normal light?" (who's to say what that is?) but I'm also trying to grow Blood Vomit and Erios. They often need it and more.
Yes, I'm questioning why we need such powerful lights. I'm going to see this lower light through and see how the plants respond.
I can think of some reasons. If you hang them, you need to have more light. Maybe the intention wasn't for us to be able to light a football stadium, but for us too have enough light in each channel to achieve the affect we want? But yeah, with a PAR meter and testing my light I got a PAR of 264. A bit crazy.
Limnophila hippuridoides
