bulbs and kelvin numbers

Meaty24 · 04/27/2009, 02:38 PM

I have had my tank running for 1.5 years and I have very little coraline algae and my corals do not grow well (granted that my nitrates are too high... 40, and have some phosphate). I was wondering if my lighting is correct.

I have three 400W metal halides and 2 T5 itinics. What kelvin bulbs should I be using? Could that be the problem I have? (other than my water)

IslandCrow · 04/27/2009, 02:46 PM

Although many people will have opinions, I doubt anyone will truly be able to answer your question. The lighting you have is most likely just fine for growing coraline. Just about any kelvin bulb commonly available in the hobby (6500K - 20,000K) should be just fine. I think your more likely problem is the nitrates. Some people will say that actinic lighting helps with coraline growth, but I've never seen any actual evidence of that.

Do you have any coraline in your tank? If not, it's entirely possible you may have to introduce some to your system. I'd say get your hands on a nice piece of rock (doesn't have to be big) covered with coraline and place incorporate it in your rockwork. I've heard others suggest taking coraline scrapings from another tank and adding that to your system.

Meaty24 · 04/27/2009, 02:53 PM

I do have a little growing, but not a ton. Also, and really more importantly, my coral is growing very very slowly, and sometimes dies.

jenglish · 04/27/2009, 03:09 PM

many corals no not do well above 10 nitrates and phosphates can hinder the ability to encrust. It could be your mag/calcium/carbonate hardness as well (especially for stonies). THere are many many possibilites that would affect both corraline and corals. Most of them have to do with waterchanges or other husbandry.

If you have corraline growing it is generally a sign that conditions are good for corals as well

jayk198030 · 04/27/2009, 03:31 PM

use seachems reef builder for ur coraline algae. that stuff works. i use it for my man made rocks. works like a charm.

jayk198030 · 04/27/2009, 03:33 PM

also i think the bluer the bulb. like 20k help coraline to grow quicker or atinics

Toddrtrex · 04/27/2009, 03:39 PM

Would be helpful to know your Cal, Alk, and Mag numbers, if they are off that could effect coralline, and the corals that aren't doing well in your tank.

What are "some" phosphates? A number would be helpful.

jenglish · 04/27/2009, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jayk198030
also i think the bluer the bulb. like 20k help coraline to grow quicker or atinics

As a general rule, higher K = lower PAR

IslandCrow · 04/28/2009, 07:02 AM

Quote:

As a general rule, higher K = lower PAR

That's a fairly accurate rule, Jeremy, but PAR does not necessarily equate to what the coral (or algae) is actually using, so the real answer may not be quite that simple.

Meaty, as pointed out, calcium and alkalinity play a big role in coraline algae growth, as well as stony corals. So, you may want to check those and get back to us. Either way, those nitrates are really going to be a killer. My nano tank got up to around 50ppm while I was deployed, and I lost a few soft corals because of that. SPS and LPS are generally even more sensitive to high nitrates.

04/27/2009, 02:38 PM	#1
Meaty24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 235	bulbs and kelvin numbers I have had my tank running for 1.5 years and I have very little coraline algae and my corals do not grow well (granted that my nitrates are too high... 40, and have some phosphate). I was wondering if my lighting is correct. I have three 400W metal halides and 2 T5 itinics. What kelvin bulbs should I be using? Could that be the problem I have? (other than my water)

04/27/2009, 02:46 PM	#2
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	Although many people will have opinions, I doubt anyone will truly be able to answer your question. The lighting you have is most likely just fine for growing coraline. Just about any kelvin bulb commonly available in the hobby (6500K - 20,000K) should be just fine. I think your more likely problem is the nitrates. Some people will say that actinic lighting helps with coraline growth, but I've never seen any actual evidence of that. Do you have any coraline in your tank? If not, it's entirely possible you may have to introduce some to your system. I'd say get your hands on a nice piece of rock (doesn't have to be big) covered with coraline and place incorporate it in your rockwork. I've heard others suggest taking coraline scrapings from another tank and adding that to your system. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

04/27/2009, 03:09 PM	#4
jenglish Marquis de Carabas Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 2,523	many corals no not do well above 10 nitrates and phosphates can hinder the ability to encrust. It could be your mag/calcium/carbonate hardness as well (especially for stonies). THere are many many possibilites that would affect both corraline and corals. Most of them have to do with waterchanges or other husbandry. If you have corraline growing it is generally a sign that conditions are good for corals as well __________________ Jeremy Brown liquor never hurt anybody “Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse" Pierre-Simon Laplace I should want to cook him a simple meal, but I shouldn't want to cut into him, to tear the flesh, to wear the flesh, to be born unto new worlds where his flesh becomes my key. Current Tank Info: broken and dry

04/27/2009, 03:31 PM	#5
jayk198030 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tag, your it! Posts: 783	use seachems reef builder for ur coraline algae. that stuff works. i use it for my man made rocks. works like a charm. __________________ I feel like 1.025 and i look like skimmate. I eat crap and throw up! What am I? Current Tank Info: I need help!!

04/27/2009, 03:33 PM	#6
jayk198030 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tag, your it! Posts: 783	also i think the bluer the bulb. like 20k help coraline to grow quicker or atinics __________________ I feel like 1.025 and i look like skimmate. I eat crap and throw up! What am I? Current Tank Info: I need help!!

04/27/2009, 02:53 PM	#3
Meaty24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 235	I do have a little growing, but not a ton. Also, and really more importantly, my coral is growing very very slowly, and sometimes dies.

04/27/2009, 03:39 PM	#7
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Would be helpful to know your Cal, Alk, and Mag numbers, if they are off that could effect coralline, and the corals that aren't doing well in your tank. What are "some" phosphates? A number would be helpful. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef