Lights = algae trouble

Brandon1023 · 10-27-2007, 04:48 PM

OK I'm pretty sure the solution to my problem is to just let it run its course, but I just want a little reassurance. And if not, then advise.

I have a MH fixture with 2 175w bulbs, and by mistake I ordered 1 20,000K bulb and 1 10,000K bulb on ebay. I meant to order 2 20,000K bulbs, but I wasn't paying attention to the 2nd auction.

Anyways you can imagine the tank looked completely lopsided and I realized the mistake immediately. One side was blue, one side was yellow. GROSS!!!! So I put in one of my old bulbs and left the new 20,000K bulb in. Again the difference was very noticeable, as one side looked way WAY brighter than the other side. I didn't like this one bit, either.

I tried that for a week or so and saw the brown algae making it's grand appearance on the side that had the new bulb. I decided that until I get another 20,000K bulb for the other side of the fixture, I'll just put my old PCs back on. All of the bulbs on those (3 96w bulbs) are only about a month old. So still relatively new.

Now, naturally (I think) I have a brown algae bloom. This is just due to the new lights, right? It will go away soon, right? My nitrates test out at 5-10 and my phosphates test out at 0. I just did a 12 gallon water change last week.

What say you?

ziggy222 · 10-27-2007, 04:57 PM

doubt its going to be much of a problem.

geekdafied · 10-27-2007, 05:59 PM

It wont be much of a problem, but algae will not bloom without food. It takes moe then light to feed algae.

omard · 10-27-2007, 11:26 PM

Brown algae does come and go...I just reduce feeding a bit when it shows up. --- always get the brown scummy kind on glass which I have to scrape off.

My hermits are voracious eaters of anything on sand.

Good Luck.!

reef_guru · 10-28-2007, 07:48 AM

if your system is set up correctly brown algae should never appear. PO4, NO3, SI feed algae. brown or diatom algae also feed off of detritis, produce enough water flow and a balanced cleaner crew will help. high TDS water used will feed algae on water changes or awto. depending on which sea salts used will feed algae.

10-27-2007, 04:48 PM	#1
Brandon1023 Fire Goby Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Denver, Colorado Age: 27 Posts: 1,307 Skin: Mint Karma: 7597	Lights = algae trouble OK I'm pretty sure the solution to my problem is to just let it run its course, but I just want a little reassurance. And if not, then advise. I have a MH fixture with 2 175w bulbs, and by mistake I ordered 1 20,000K bulb and 1 10,000K bulb on ebay. I meant to order 2 20,000K bulbs, but I wasn't paying attention to the 2nd auction. Anyways you can imagine the tank looked completely lopsided and I realized the mistake immediately. One side was blue, one side was yellow. GROSS!!!! So I put in one of my old bulbs and left the new 20,000K bulb in. Again the difference was very noticeable, as one side looked way WAY brighter than the other side. I didn't like this one bit, either. I tried that for a week or so and saw the brown algae making it's grand appearance on the side that had the new bulb. I decided that until I get another 20,000K bulb for the other side of the fixture, I'll just put my old PCs back on. All of the bulbs on those (3 96w bulbs) are only about a month old. So still relatively new. Now, naturally (I think) I have a brown algae bloom. This is just due to the new lights, right? It will go away soon, right? My nitrates test out at 5-10 and my phosphates test out at 0. I just did a 12 gallon water change last week. What say you?

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10-27-2007, 04:57 PM	#2
ziggy222 Fire Goby Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: valencia,pa. Age: 38 Posts: 1,343 Skin: Mint Karma: 1213	doubt its going to be much of a problem.

10-27-2007, 05:59 PM	#3
geekdafied 3reef Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: TX Age: 35 Posts: 3,941 Skin: Mint Karma: 22816	It wont be much of a problem, but algae will not bloom without food. It takes moe then light to feed algae.

10-27-2007, 11:26 PM	#4
omard Gnarly Old Codfish Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Silverdale, Washington Age: 62 Posts: 4,745 Skin: Mint Karma: 4558	Brown algae does come and go...I just reduce feeding a bit when it shows up. --- always get the brown scummy kind on glass which I have to scrape off. My hermits are voracious eaters of anything on sand. Good Luck.!

10-28-2007, 07:48 AM	#5
reef_guru Hammer Head Shark Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: joliet,il Age: 44 Posts: 2,628 Skin: Mint Karma: 6089	if your system is set up correctly brown algae should never appear. PO4, NO3, SI feed algae. brown or diatom algae also feed off of detritis, produce enough water flow and a balanced cleaner crew will help. high TDS water used will feed algae on water changes or awto. depending on which sea salts used will feed algae.