Juwel Rio 180 LED - is an upgrade to HeliLux worth it?

My main tank is a Juwel Rio 180 LED (JUWEL Aquarium | Rio 180 LED | purchase online), which has the MultiLux LED system as standard.

Unlike my other tanks, this tank gets a serious algae issues if I have the lights on for longer than ~6 hours a day and the plants don't exactly thrive.

I discussed this with LFS and they suggested purchasing a HeliLux lighting system (HeliaLux Spectrum LED 1000), which would be roughly ~£250; meaning I could lower the intensity of the light, have it on longer and then try plants which thrive in a low-medium light.

Is a light upgrade really worth it? I'm perfectly happy to drop the money if it's worthwhile, I just have no idea about anything when it comes to Aquarium lights

 

Rather than spending money on a new light, is it worth exhausting all other avenues first (if you haven’t already)?

What plants do you have, how many etc. (picture of the tank may help). Are you dosing any ferts? What are your parameters? For algae to be an issue after only 6 hours of light suggests to me that there is an abundance of nutrients which is allowing algae to outcompete your plants. I’m not sure a new expensive light will necessarily solve the problem, but may be wrong.

 

Rather than spending money on a new light, is it worth exhausting all other avenues first (if you haven’t already)?

It certainly sounds like a good idea I only started thinking about new lights because of LFS.

What plants do you have, how many etc. (picture of the tank may help).

• Rotala Rotundifolia
• Floating Hornwort
• Floating Dwarf Water Lettuce
• Water Wisteria
• Amazon Swords
• Vallisneria
• Anubias
• Java Fern
• Limnophila Sessiliflora

Tank is in a couple of days of darkness at the moment, as I moved some fish out this morning and my algae eater looks a bit stressed. I'll send a picture another day, if that's ok?

Or.... this is a recent picture

Are you dosing any ferts?

Yeah - I dose Seachem Flourish twice a week

What are your parameters?

0ppm Ammonia, 0ppm Nitrite, 20ppm Nitrate, 7.0 pH

I've never tested GH or KH, to be honest.

For algae to be an issue after only 6 hours of light suggests to me that there is an abundance of nutrients which is allowing algae to outcompete your plants.

Could the abundance of nutrients be because I'm dosing Seachem Flourish? Should I stop doing that?

I’m not sure a new expensive light will necessarily solve the problem, but may be wrong.

Oki Doki, thank you

 

Anyone have any ideas as to whether the added ferts could be causing the algae issues? Should I stop adding them?

 

Anyone have any ideas as to whether the added ferts could be causing the algae issues? Should I stop adding them?

It's a good possibility.If the plants cant use the excess ferts the chances are it could trigger algae. Try reducing the ferts firstly, keep the light running as you have been. See if any changes come.

 

It's a good possibility.If the plants cant use the excess ferts the chances are it could trigger algae. Try reducing the ferts firstly, keep the light running as you have been. See if any changes come.

Will do! Thanks!