What are the effects of having old lighting?

CIMulation · 03/31/2010, 10:47 PM

What are the effects of having old lighting? My 2-250w MH lighting is about 1.5yrs old. Are there any ill effects that it can cause? ie. excessive algae growth, poor coral growth etc.

nova67 · 03/31/2010, 11:43 PM

it will cause poor color and growth.not sure how much effect it will have on algae growth

h2oimports · 04/01/2010, 12:59 AM

You will notice algae growth as the spectrum of color shifts to the red side ( I think it's the red side) I've gotten noticed algae growth on my 12 month old bulb and replaced it and noticed a huge difference . Plus your coral will get some funky color because the zooanthele ( spell check) within the coral will grow to exeed the coral. So you will notice more browning in my experience.

mx270 · 04/01/2010, 03:55 AM

I agree with h2oimports. The spectrum will favor algae. Change those bulbs- you'll be glad you did!

grigsy · 04/01/2010, 10:57 PM

+1 - you will definitely see more unwanted algae growth running old halide bulbs.

At 1.5 years, halide bulbs have shifted spectrum.

Best to change out once every 9-12 months.

03/31/2010, 10:47 PM	#1
CIMulation Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lorain, OH Posts: 589	What are the effects of having old lighting? What are the effects of having old lighting? My 2-250w MH lighting is about 1.5yrs old. Are there any ill effects that it can cause? ie. excessive algae growth, poor coral growth etc. __________________ Starting date: 12/07/03 2 - 250w MH RR 90g tank 20g sump 10g fuge 90lbs. LR 120lbs. LS 2 Clown~3 Chromis~1 Yellow Watchman~1 Purple Fire Fish~1 Scooter Blenny

03/31/2010, 11:43 PM	#2
nova67 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: redding ca Posts: 633	it will cause poor color and growth.not sure how much effect it will have on algae growth __________________ my current tank list 25 gal planted grow out tank 150gal peacock cichlid tank 90gal rr in the works

04/01/2010, 03:55 AM	#4
mx270 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: ohio Posts: 80	I agree with h2oimports. The spectrum will favor algae. Change those bulbs- you'll be glad you did! __________________ Today is the first day of the rest of your life! Current Tank Info: 125g reef

04/01/2010, 12:59 AM	#3
h2oimports Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: houston, tx Posts: 54	You will notice algae growth as the spectrum of color shifts to the red side ( I think it's the red side) I've gotten noticed algae growth on my 12 month old bulb and replaced it and noticed a huge difference . Plus your coral will get some funky color because the zooanthele ( spell check) within the coral will grow to exeed the coral. So you will notice more browning in my experience.

04/01/2010, 10:57 PM	#5
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	+1 - you will definitely see more unwanted algae growth running old halide bulbs. At 1.5 years, halide bulbs have shifted spectrum. Best to change out once every 9-12 months.