Lighting, issue with too much??

[jcunningham0295]

I added a double LED light to each of my two 75 gallon tanks. Do you think this could be too much light for them? I have malawi's in both tanks at the moment.

Thanks,
Josh

[slimbolen99]

It would be impossible to tell without some sort of data on a) the quantity of bulbs, b) the color temperature (degrees kelvin) of the bulbs, c) the wattage of the bulbs, and d) the height above the water surface that the fixture is mounted.

That being said, unless it's an LED light setup for a saltwater tank, it's highly doubtful that it is too much light.

[Kyle May]

With Cichlids, the light is more for you than them. Unlike saltwater tanks, your tank doesn't need that much light.
Since you raise the question I'm figuring your intuition is correct, it might be too much light.
It won't hurt the fish so much as annoy them at times.

The real question is how much power these are consuming.
This summer (July?) I'll have an article in the Buckeye Bulletin comparing the
usage rates of different lights. You may find that what you are using is the
most cost-effective light. On the plus side you may begin to grow a rich carpet of algae
which your fish will enjoy.

Bottom line: If it's not harming the fish and it looks good to you, I wouldn't worry about it.

Kyle

[Bas Pels]

With Cichlids, the light is more for you than them. Unlike saltwater tanks, your tank doesn't need that much light.

Can´t say I agree completely. In case of a Mbuna or Tropheus tank - these fish live in very clear water, under the equator sun, not that far from the surface.

The light promotes algae growth, and the fish live from that.

Although I never kept them myself, friends have said that Mbuna and Tropheus in a tank with algae - thus much light - re more peacefull. Perhaps due to the possibility to spend time grazing

[Lotsapetsgarfhts]

My first thoughts were that if you are keeping mbuna, it is probably a good thing because it will cause aglae to grow and they will benifit from it. If you are keeping mostly peacocks it could be a problem. I am also not very up to date on LED lighting I have seen it, it looks like a good idea but I have not tried it yet.

[GarrettS]

Like Kyle said the light is more for u and it does freak the fish at first ive had mine for couple months and now when I turn the black light on the fish dont care anymore.