Advise On Lighting

Hi!

I have an 11watt Aquael lighting module economy sunny in my 21 litre tank. i also have a lot of algae and some of my plants have lost all their leaves.  could this be due to the lighting being to strong for the size of the tank??

here is my current light.

should I invest in a lower wattage lighting module??

FC76

Does your tank get sunlight - that seems to promote algae.

If the leaf-loss is the lower leaves of a plant then this is 'cos they're shaded by the upper leaves. This is very difficult to avoid and best disguised by planting things like crypts at the front/middle of the tank and the leaf-losers at the back so the bare stems are hidden.

Many aquatic plants are actually grown by suppliers out of water (emerse) because they grow more quickly than underwater (submerse). The leaves that grow emerse are often slightly different from the ones that grow submerse and in the aquarium they will die away to be replaced by new ones more adapted to underwater. I'd wait and see if they regrow before getting rid of them.

Actual evidence, as opposed to popular opinion, is that algae are encouraged by  excess nutrients rather than light. Although we worry about nitrites/nitrates because they may affect fish, water also contains phosphates and excess phosphate is the commonest cause of algae growth in ponds etc and there is no reason to suspect that it is any different in aquaria. Of course, if your plants begin to grow strongly they will also use the excess nutrients which should in turn reduce the algal growth. Adding plant fertiliser when the plants are not growing well can actually increase the algal problem ...................

Got another lighting question chaps!!!!

i am looking at getting an isolation tank, just a small one of about 24 litres. the one I am looking at doesn't come with a light  and I am thinking of getting this light.

Firstly, do you know if this is any good?  Secondly, would i be better to go for the 28 or the 48 LED lamp?

May decide against the tank and the light but would still appreciate your advice please.

Thanks,

FC76

dbaggie beat me to it!

You don't need a light. Sick fish are easily stressed and are better off in the dark. Well, room light which is a lot dimmer than a tank light. And if the fish needs treating, a lot of meds work better without the light on.
Since a hospital/quarantine tank is only used for a short time for any given fish, they don't need lights. Only if you want live plants in there. I always use plastic plants in a QT, and plastic decor too. They can be sterilised if necessary.

put the light on a timer and split your
lighting time up ie 9 till 12 then 2 till 10.30
you will find with to shorter photo periods
that it will cut down on your algae i would
also test for nitrates and phosphates it might
also be worth investing in some algae exit or some
easycarbo