2 questions - decent 175w MH and hair algea

thcreations · 02/18/2007, 08:09 PM

I'm looking to find the best brand/price on bulbs for my light, It's made by hamilton, It has 2x 110w True Actinic and 2x 175w MH w/ a pulse start ballast. I am tring to avoid cheap ebay bulbs, but I'm trying to be cheap. Catch 22, What?

I bought it used at a LFS, and although it looks good I think the bulbs need to be replaced I've had it 4 mos. & dont know how long the bulbs were in use prior to that.

I just set it up on a new 75gal 2.5 weeks ago and I am seeing the begginings of a hair algea problem. I think my parameters are good so I've moved on to blaming the bulbs. I currently have the light on for a 7 hour period.

Params I tested this Morning

PH: 8.0-8.2
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10 or less
Phosphate: 0
Calcium: 440

I am using RO.

Thanks,

Tom

BLockamon · 02/18/2007, 09:21 PM

The hair algae is probably not because of the bulbs but is probably due to phosphate. You don't detect it in the water because it is comsumed by the algae as quickly as it forms. I'd recommend using some iron-based phosphate media (Phosban, PHOSaR, etc.) to compete with the algae.

Probably the best 175W bulbs are the new Iwaki 15,000K. The work OK on magnetic ballasts but really shine on electronic ballasts. The cheaper option (but still a good bulb) is the XM 10,000K.

02/18/2007, 08:09 PM	#1
thcreations Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Auburn, Maine Posts: 30	2 questions - decent 175w MH and hair algea I'm looking to find the best brand/price on bulbs for my light, It's made by hamilton, It has 2x 110w True Actinic and 2x 175w MH w/ a pulse start ballast. I am tring to avoid cheap ebay bulbs, but I'm trying to be cheap. Catch 22, What? I bought it used at a LFS, and although it looks good I think the bulbs need to be replaced I've had it 4 mos. & dont know how long the bulbs were in use prior to that. I just set it up on a new 75gal 2.5 weeks ago and I am seeing the begginings of a hair algea problem. I think my parameters are good so I've moved on to blaming the bulbs. I currently have the light on for a 7 hour period. Params I tested this Morning PH: 8.0-8.2 Ammonia: 0 Nitrite: 0 Nitrate: 10 or less Phosphate: 0 Calcium: 440 I am using RO. Thanks, Tom

02/18/2007, 09:21 PM	#2
BLockamon Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,104	The hair algae is probably not because of the bulbs but is probably due to phosphate. You don't detect it in the water because it is comsumed by the algae as quickly as it forms. I'd recommend using some iron-based phosphate media (Phosban, PHOSaR, etc.) to compete with the algae. Probably the best 175W bulbs are the new Iwaki 15,000K. The work OK on magnetic ballasts but really shine on electronic ballasts. The cheaper option (but still a good bulb) is the XM 10,000K.