Too Much Light: How to Prevent Algae Overgrowth in Your Tank

It started with a bright idea at Aquaplix—let’s max out the light on our 60cm tank to see what happens. Big mistake! Within a week, green algae coated everything, turning our pristine setup into a slimy mess. Sound familiar? Too much light is a common pitfall for Canadian hobbyists, especially in winter when natural light dips. Here’s how we turned it around.

The Problem: Over 10 hours of intense light (e.g., 70+ lumens per liter) feeds algae more than plants. Our tank hit 12 hours—disaster struck.

Solution 1: Cut Light Time: Drop to 6-8 hours daily. We adjusted to 7, and the algae slowed—plants still thrived.

Solution 2: Dim the Intensity: Lower wattage or use a dimmer if possible. We dialed back, and clarity returned.

Solution 3: Boost CO2 and Nutrients: Algae loves imbalance—add CO2 (5-15 ppm) and NPK. Our tank balanced out with a tweak.

Solution 4: Clean Regularly: Scrub decor weekly—our algae peeled off with ease after that.

Living in Canada, we’ve learned light control is key with our long winters. Test your setup, adjust, and keep algae at bay—your tank deserves it!