Manhattan Aquarium low light display tank

[FlyTekk]

Any one seen that big tank close to the register in Mangattan Aquarium? Its pretty big yet lightly lit by a few dim leds raised high above the tank. Just enough light to get a little shimmer and pop a few colors, thats it. Very nice!

Question is, if i were to build a tank like this (fish only ofcourse) would i be algae free? Even if there are some nitrates (lets say 10ppm).... would that low amount of light make it harder for nusaince algea to grow?

Or is that low amount of light exactly what nusiance algea wants to grow.

Ive heard both arguements. What do you think?

 

[Jzhou]

TFH tackled this topic back in 2003 about the effect of low light an algae levels. The article was mainly about how low light did not eliminate algae growth but instead replaced it with brown algae.

 

[FlyTekk]

Im not talking about using weak powercompacts from homedepot. I mean the tank is black dark except for a slight shimmer and some actinic pop.