Does low lighting help against algae?
The influence of light intensity and lighting duration on algae growth is often discussed controversially. A large number of factors work together in the aquarium, all of which must be brought into a suitable balance in order to avoid excessive growth of algae. General statements according to which plants can adapt better to shadow light than algae are certainly not generally valid. There are a number of plants that do well in the shade and a number of algae that thrive in the shade.
The fact that the competition between plants and algae for nutrients can be shifted in favor of the plants if the light intensity is reduced and the lighting is longer, can certainly help in some cases. In other cases, this measure has no effect.
Per arguments
- Shade plants get by with less light than all the algae known in the aquarium.
- Shade plants, such as certain cryptocorynes, anubias, java moss and fern, don’t mind even in low light.
- Algae also grow on light-demanding plants that receive a lot of light.
- With strong lighting, green algae grow more.
- Pollutants (NO3 and PO4) promote algae growth, but are not the cause.
- To a limited extent, weaker light can be compensated for by CO2 fertilization.
Contra-arguments
- Algae are more flexible life forms than plants and can thrive in less light than the more complex plants.
- Algae are more flexible life forms than plants and can still live well even with a higher proportion of pollutants in the water. Some types of algae even grow better in polluted water than in unpolluted water.
- Plants take care of themselves when there is too little light.
- Plants use hardly any pollutants as food.
- With too many pollutants and a lot of light, the algae grow well and the plants poorly.
- The fewer pollutants and the more light, the better the plants grow and the worse the algae grow.
- The better the plant growth, the fewer chances the algae have.
- The aquarium should be kept as pollution-free as possible and illuminated with as much light as possible.