Lighting?

[Fishaholic]

My 50g has developed an algae bloom over the last few days. I recently took out all my live plants and of course, the bloom soon followed >:(. I have 80 watts of light for the tank right now. Is this lighting alright for the discus or should I tone it down a bit? I am also assuming less light would mean less algae growth...

[Steve_Warner]

Hi all,
Fishaholic, how come you took out all your plants? They were probably greatly aiding in keeping the nutrients in check, away from the dreaded algae.


Steve

[Fishaholic]

Hi all,
Fishaholic, how come you took out all your plants? They were probably greatly aiding in keeping the nutrients in check, away from the dreaded algae.


Steve


The tank went from a community to a BB discus tank.

[Steve_Warner]

Hi all,
Fishaholic, put the plants in pots so you can move them around and then you'll have the best of both worlds...........planted tank with a bare bottom! I have my tank setup this way and it works wonderful. I have actually been conducting a little informal experiment with my plants. I have a sword in a pot with soft sponge foam sheets as the substrate(no gravel at all). It has sent it's roots down into the foam and is now anchored to it. I'm going to put some fert pills(ala Al's method) of Calc & Iron in the foam to check the effects. This keeps the pot cleaner and the debris on top of the foam , not sinking in there, breaking down.


Steve