Can older VHO tubes cause excess algae?

hansmatt · 12/11/2006, 11:27 AM

Can older VHO tubes cause excess algae? I have an inherited 90g/40sump, running phosphan for 5weeks, chaeto in sump, deep sand bed. I'm not testing for PO, but judging from the hair algae and glass algae, I've got a lot built up in the dsb. All other parameters are good. I'm using RO water, not feeding to much, and have a decent skimmer. My vho's are unknown age, probably around a year, on two icecap ballasts. Could the spectrum shift of the lights be encouraging excess algae? I know I should replace them, but am holding out for a new fixture with t5's and mh in a few months. Should I fork out the $100 for new tubes, or will this make a difference? Corals are doing well so far, so no pressing reason to replace?

Ti · 12/11/2006, 11:37 AM

yes spectrum shift can cause algae growth.

dippin61 · 12/11/2006, 03:41 PM

any light that are old can. light bulbs shift their spectrum after time, to the red spectrum, which is supposed to grow algae better.

hng · 12/11/2006, 03:48 PM

From what I understand, certain spectrums of light can encourage more rapid algae growth but usually you don't get a lot of nuisance algae unless you also have a lot of phosphates. So in your case, you might want to test your phosphate levels, I bet it's higher than you think.

RichConley · 12/11/2006, 04:06 PM

I still disagree. I ran a pair of overdriven 3000K Normal Output fluorescents on my tank at one point for a year or so, and never had any algae issues. If those werent causing algae, nothing will.

you've got a phosphate problem.

dippin61 · 12/11/2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
I still disagree. I ran a pair of overdriven 3000K Normal Output fluorescents on my tank at one point for a year or so, and never had any algae issues. If those werent causing algae, nothing will.

you've got a phosphate problem.

yeh.. i have no experience involving it, so that why i said supposed to

.

but id agree with rich, its still an underlying phosphate problem. no algae food, no algae.

horkn · 12/11/2006, 08:08 PM

changing the bulbs will not allow the algae to grow as fast however, even if there is a PO4 issue.

Gary Majchrzak · 12/11/2006, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
you've got a phosphate problem.

Agreed. Remove/replace/cleanup the DSB and aquarium before improving the lighting or you'll really have some significant nuisance algae growth.

hansmatt · 12/11/2006, 09:12 PM

The dsb is 3-4 inches+, and has been in place for quite some time (before I owned the tank 4 months ago). I understand that it can harbor phosphate long after starting phosphan treatment. Any suggestions on "cleaning it up?" I can vac a few areas near the glass, but also don't want to disturb too much. Thoughts?

12/11/2006, 11:27 AM	#1
hansmatt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Western Wisconsin Posts: 681	Can older VHO tubes cause excess algae? Can older VHO tubes cause excess algae? I have an inherited 90g/40sump, running phosphan for 5weeks, chaeto in sump, deep sand bed. I'm not testing for PO, but judging from the hair algae and glass algae, I've got a lot built up in the dsb. All other parameters are good. I'm using RO water, not feeding to much, and have a decent skimmer. My vho's are unknown age, probably around a year, on two icecap ballasts. Could the spectrum shift of the lights be encouraging excess algae? I know I should replace them, but am holding out for a new fixture with t5's and mh in a few months. Should I fork out the $100 for new tubes, or will this make a difference? Corals are doing well so far, so no pressing reason to replace?

12/11/2006, 11:37 AM	#2
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	yes spectrum shift can cause algae growth. __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

12/11/2006, 03:41 PM	#3
dippin61 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,897	any light that are old can. light bulbs shift their spectrum after time, to the red spectrum, which is supposed to grow algae better. __________________ Reefers Law: It can take about 48 hours to brown, and 48 weeks to color back up! Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon BB Low Iron Glass, Dual 110w VHO Actinics, 250w PFO MH 20k XM

12/11/2006, 04:06 PM	#5
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	I still disagree. I ran a pair of overdriven 3000K Normal Output fluorescents on my tank at one point for a year or so, and never had any algae issues. If those werent causing algae, nothing will. you've got a phosphate problem. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

12/11/2006, 08:08 PM	#7
horkn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: milwaukee wisconsin Posts: 4,125	changing the bulbs will not allow the algae to grow as fast however, even if there is a PO4 issue. __________________ people write stupid things in this space Current Tank Info: 200g DIY wood reef, 2x 250w SE 10k MH 2x80 t5ho, 75g sump, Geo Ca RX, ASD 6" recirc skimmer

12/11/2006, 03:48 PM	#4
hng Registered Member. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 75	From what I understand, certain spectrums of light can encourage more rapid algae growth but usually you don't get a lot of nuisance algae unless you also have a lot of phosphates. So in your case, you might want to test your phosphate levels, I bet it's higher than you think.

12/11/2006, 09:12 PM	#9
hansmatt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Western Wisconsin Posts: 681	The dsb is 3-4 inches+, and has been in place for quite some time (before I owned the tank 4 months ago). I understand that it can harbor phosphate long after starting phosphan treatment. Any suggestions on "cleaning it up?" I can vac a few areas near the glass, but also don't want to disturb too much. Thoughts?