Can old lights cause algae to grow?????

[rydogg420]

I've had my PC lights for a little over a year and now i have an hair algae outbreak my LFS guy said it could be my lights going bad. i did notice that my 10,000k PC's were kind of yellow and dim but not that bad though. would that cause hair algae to grow??????
also what should i do about hair algae. i've seen phosban and the reactors but i'd rather find out the problem and not just chemicaly remove phosphates and what ever else it will remove from my reef tank.
Thank you for your replys...

 

[alyssia]

Yes, old lights can cause algae.

 

[socal57che]

I understand that flourescent lamps lose 30% by the 8 month mark and should be replaced before they get 1 yr old. I also understand that operating them beyond this point does, in fact, promote growth of some kinds of algae. I am not an expert, so you might do some googling, but I believe this to be true. I also feel that overfeeding is a greater cause of unwanted algae than any other issue. :happyfish

 

[alyssia]

You should change your bulbs every six months, at least I think that is what most people recommend.

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by alyssia
You should change your bulbs every six months, at least I think that is what most people recommend.
yeah, what you said.

 

[socal57che]

Skimming will remove some of the proteins that the algae feeds on.

 

[acrylic51]

Yes old lights can contribute to algae growth

 

[moneyman]

Red spectrum promotes plant germination while blue promotes plant growth.

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by Rydogg420
Can old lights cause algae to grow?????
Nope.

 

[1911_guy]

I was thinking maybe too much light or your water quality. Are you using tap water?

 

[murray bmf]

Hey Bang,
I would never question your wisdom, but your answer goes against the majority of responses. I'm just curious (and I want to learn) as to why you say no.

 

[bang guy]

In my experience excess nutrients = excess algae.
Theoretically the more light the more fuel for algae. Since an old bulb puts out less light it makes no sense that it would fuel algae more than a new bulb would. Some think that older flourescent bulbs produce a lower kelvin color light. That's not true. Flourescent phosphors do not change spectrum. As the phosphors burn out they just produce less light, they do not change to a different spectrum.
Typically, in my opinion, a tank lit with dim bulbs is just not being maintained properly so the water quality suffers and there's more algae. It's just more convenient to blame the bulbs instead of husbandry diligence.
If I were to experiment with this and only changed out bulbs on a tank experiencing an algae bloom I would bet that the algae bloom would get worse, not better.

 

[murray bmf]

Good points, that makes sense. Thanks!