Lighting for growing algae

I have a 600w "cool" lighting fixture. It can be for growing plants or used in aquariums. My question is I have a ton a base rock that i would like to seed with some live rock from my LFS.

Question 1...
Is this too much light for growing the desired algae?

Question 2...
If no to question one, is it beneficial to have more light as I do?

Question 3...
Does it grow any faster under these lights @ 600w as opposed to the minimum of 2w to 1 gallon tank, so with my 35 gallon, that would be 72w?

Thanks guys!

 

You'll grow algae in there alright. But you'll burn corals in there. That in my opinion is way to much light for a 35g tank.

 

sweet, thanks for the reply so fast.

If i am just trying to colonize my base rock real good and real fast is the light good? no fish or corals in this tank. Just like a grow room for algae.

Thanks again!

 

You'll probably fry macro alga under that light unless you have it mount well above your tank. Nuisance alga will love it.

 

can i simply remove a few bulbs and still run the light fixture safely? It has 6 bulbs @100w a piece. what would be the perfect wattage for maximizing macro algae growth?

 

I would say no more than 2 would be needed. Base it off of the light spread of each bulb.

 

thanks for the reply too 2in10.

Maybe stupid question... but what is light spread and how can I find out? Does it say on the bulb?

 

Light spread is the area covered with bright light from the bulb. I don't think it will be on the bulb.

 

Here is a picture of my light fixture...

It is a Sun System Tek Light with 8 T5 F54W/865.

So what does all that mean? Now I'm showing pictures does the information you guys gave me change at all? Like is it still too much light? Can I remove bulbs?

Any information regarding how to best utilize this light would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

You should be able to remove a few bulbs. They will run in 2's, as the ballast will run 2 lamps. Judgement does not change, this baby will cook that tank. Leave phospahtes high and hair algae should grow like mad.