John P Coates
Member
I am beginning to see what I have identified as BBA growing mostly on the leaf edges of my slow-growing plants, rocks and driftwood. There is none on the substrate (JBL Manado). From doing some research on this site and elsewhere, it seems that growth of BBA (Audouinella) is caused by an imbalance of lighting and CO2.
The lighting in my tank varies from 30 - 100 PAR, measured at the topmost leaves of the plants. The CO2 level varies from 5 - 15 ppm from morning to night. My suspicion is that the CO2 level is too low. The CO2 is switched off at night by means of a solenoid valve. The light is on for 11 hours per day.
I don't particularly want to increase CO2 concentration so I'm wondering if the answer to the BBA problem would be to reduce the light intensity and/or the photoperiod. Or, do not switch the CO2 off at night and keep it at around 15 ppm.
Any advice would be appreciated.
JPC
The lighting in my tank varies from 30 - 100 PAR, measured at the topmost leaves of the plants. The CO2 level varies from 5 - 15 ppm from morning to night. My suspicion is that the CO2 level is too low. The CO2 is switched off at night by means of a solenoid valve. The light is on for 11 hours per day.
I don't particularly want to increase CO2 concentration so I'm wondering if the answer to the BBA problem would be to reduce the light intensity and/or the photoperiod. Or, do not switch the CO2 off at night and keep it at around 15 ppm.
Any advice would be appreciated.
JPC