Has anyone had the experience of suffering losses due to improper lighting in the aquarium?

The-sunlit-shore · 2025-03-04T22:36:01-0500

My friend's aquarium suffered from excessive lighting, which led to a rapid growth of algae. As a result, the water quality became turbid and the fish started to become unhealthy.

I’ve come to appreciate the critical role that lighting plays in maintaining a healthy and vibrant aquatic ecosystem(Of course, I am someone who is constantly learning and growing.). Light is not just about making the tank look beautiful; it’s a fundamental factor that influences the growth, behavior, and overall well-being of the organisms living in it.
Light is essential for photosynthesis, the process by which plants and algae convert light energy into chemical energy to fuel their growth. Without adequate light, aquatic plants will struggle to thrive, and the balance of the ecosystem can be disrupted. However, too much light can lead to excessive algae growth, which can be just as problematic. One key concept to understand is Photosynthetic Photon Flux (PPF), which measures the amount of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) emitted by a light source. PAR refers to the spectrum of light (400-700 nm) that plants and algae can use for photosynthesis. PPF is typically measured in micromoles per second (µmol/s) and gives us an idea of how effective a light source is for supporting plant growth. When choosing lighting for your aquarium, it’s important to consider the PPF to ensure it meets the needs of your plants and corals. Measuring light in an aquarium can be done using a PAR meter, which quantifies the amount of PAR reaching different areas of the tank. This is especially useful for reef tanks or planted aquariums, where precise light levels are crucial. By taking measurements at various depths and locations, you can adjust the placement of your lights or the duration of the photoperiod to optimize conditions for your aquatic life.
When it comes to maintaining your aquarium, here are some key points regarding lighting:
1.Photoperiod: Aim for a consistent light cycle, typically 8-10 hours per day, to mimic natural daylight. Use a timer to automate this process.
2.Light Intensity: Match the light intensity to the needs of your tank’s inhabitants. Low-light plants like Java Fern require less intensity, while high-light plants like Dwarf Baby Tears need stronger lighting.
3.Spectrum: Choose a light source with a full spectrum to support both plant growth and the natural coloration of fish and corals.
4.Algae Control: Avoid excessive lighting, as it can promote algae blooms. If algae become a problem, reduce the photoperiod or adjust the light intensity.

Lighting is a powerful tool in aquarium care, and understanding its impact can make a significant difference in the health and beauty of aquatic environment.

Has anyone had the experience of suffering losses due to improper lighting in the aquarium?

Timfish · 2025-03-05T11:11:38-0500

Yes, there are "algae" that produce toxins that are potentially harmful to fish and corals but lighting and corals and algae is a very complex subject. Sorry! But your points strike me as uninformed. I would suggest you look up the research by Dana Riddle on lighting and corals. Here's some basic responses to your points:

1. Due to reflection and refraction reefs in the wild only get about 4 to 6 hours of maximum intensity with a long ramp up time and a long ramp down time. Some corals can adapt to different lighting schedules and intensities but trying to "mimic natural daylight" may work for some species but could be a potential source of stress for others.

2. Because coral species have very divergent requirements, spectrum, intensity and corals need to be matched for the best chances of success. Whatever light settings are selected, there will be corals that do not do well with those settings. This paper by Sanjey Joshi highlights this issue.

3. "Full Spectrum" is definitely not ideal. The spectrum of light is significantly altered as longer wavelengths are filtered out the deeper light penetrates water. Too much red light, for example has the potential to repress a corals photobiology.

4. Corals need the light as much as nuisance algae does. Corals can go a few days without appropriate light levels but beyond a few days coral photobiology will start trying to adapt to new light levels. The root cause of algae problems in reef ecosystems is a systemic issue primarily caused by a lack of appropriate herbivores and excess and/or imbalanced nutrients. Here's one example of how one reef's algae problem was fixed. This same technique is can be duplicated in reef aquaria with steel straws and adding urchins.

As you seem fairly new to reef aquaria, here's some links yo might find infromative:

"Coral Reefs in the Microbial Seas " This video compliments Rohwer's book of the same title. Used copies are available on line and it may be free to read on Internet Archive. both deal with the conflicting roles of the different types of DOC (carbon dosing) in reef ecosystems and how it can alter coral microbiomes. While there is overlap bewteen his book and the video both have information not covered by the other and together give a broader view of the complex relationships found in reef ecosystems and are an excellent starting point to understand the conflicting roles of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC, aka "carbon dosing") in reef ecosystems.