old lights and algea questions

outy · 06/27/2006, 12:51 AM

what happens to the lights [MH/PC] after 8 months that can bring on a hair algea outbreak with good water conditions?

is there a color spectrum that is prone to grow less HA like say

2 175w 10k MH with 4 55w atinic PC

or

2 175w 20k MH with 4 55w 10k PC

and if algea is not the issue wich of the 2 is best bang for the buck

Blown 346 · 06/27/2006, 02:09 AM

Different types of lighting will last longer than orthers depending on the time they are lit for each day.

PC's usually need to be replaced every 6 months, Halides every 8 or so. The reason for algae growth with old lighting is the intensity changes drastically and becomes less intense.
New lighting can also cause a algae bloom, it is wise to keep up on bulb changes so your corals dont get shocked and stressed from a increase in light.

For your second question, No algae doesnt grow just from light, the majority of the time, it is caused from Phosphates, Nitrates poor husbandry. If light were the culprit of algae the ocean would be one huga mass of it.

As far as lighting kelvin goes, what type of coloration do you want? The lower the Kelvin the yellower it will be, the higher the kelvin the bluer it will be.

06/27/2006, 12:51 AM	#1
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	old lights and algea questions what happens to the lights [MH/PC] after 8 months that can bring on a hair algea outbreak with good water conditions? is there a color spectrum that is prone to grow less HA like say 2 175w 10k MH with 4 55w atinic PC or 2 175w 20k MH with 4 55w 10k PC and if algea is not the issue wich of the 2 is best bang for the buck

06/27/2006, 02:09 AM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	Different types of lighting will last longer than orthers depending on the time they are lit for each day. PC's usually need to be replaced every 6 months, Halides every 8 or so. The reason for algae growth with old lighting is the intensity changes drastically and becomes less intense. New lighting can also cause a algae bloom, it is wise to keep up on bulb changes so your corals dont get shocked and stressed from a increase in light. For your second question, No algae doesnt grow just from light, the majority of the time, it is caused from Phosphates, Nitrates poor husbandry. If light were the culprit of algae the ocean would be one huga mass of it. As far as lighting kelvin goes, what type of coloration do you want? The lower the Kelvin the yellower it will be, the higher the kelvin the bluer it will be.