Improving your light and lid options

[gripit]

Hey everyone,
My tank's almost done cycling and the plants are thriving. I've also got a nice batch of algae going on. I've been feeding my 4 fish every 56 hours, so I'm pretty sure it's not excess ammonia - plus I've got 8 swords to help with that. I'm thinking it's the light that's the issue. The lid that came with my kit is ridiculously strong, it's blasting my tank, but I couldn't find any specific wattage info. Can anyone recommend some good lights and lids for a standard 29 gallon tank? I'm also planning to "borrow" a nerite from a friend, so that might help with the algae.

[dungeon]

What's the algae like, is it green or brown?

[gripit]

Apologies for the poor pic quality, I'm using an iPhone 7.

[angelica]

If you're running LEDs, you might want to try something like this. I've got these on four different tanks with various light brands and they work a treat. Just make sure the plug is compatible, but they've been a game-changer for me.

[gripit]

I'm thinking of reducing the lighting time, I have them on for 10 hours daily, sometimes a bit less.

[sSjey]

That dimmer I linked earlier will help reduce the light's intensity, so it's not as harsh on your tank.

In terms of lighting schedule, it's essential to maintain consistency. Set your lights to turn on and off at the same time daily. Also, ensure the room is lit with either natural daylight or electric lighting for at least 30 minutes before and after the tank lights are on. This simulates a natural day-night cycle, which fish expect. Their eyes need about half an hour to adjust to the changes in lighting, so having a gentle transition with the room lights helps. Think of it as creating a dawn and dusk effect around your tank's lighting schedule.