Hair Algae & Lights

[footbag]

I am currently fighting a Hair algae brakeout that I belive may be caused by either old (over 1yr) actinic bulbs or a MH that I am unsure of the age, but thought was under a year. There are 0 nitrates and phosphates, which is why I have come to the conclusion that it is my bulbs. I replaced the Actinics, but cannot get MH locally so I will have to order them. (PS SWF.com where are you?) Is it more likely that the hair algae was caused by the MH or the actinics?
How long should it take to clear up after I replace the bulbs?

 

[bdhough]

What kind of water are you using and what do you have for cleanup in the tank?

 

[eric4usa]

I had a bad hair alge mess, completely covering entire tank.
I also thought it was lights (newer MH setup)
did a 10% water change (30gal) and replaced a dirty filter pad in the sump and it was gone within 2 days with no change to lights.
More than likely water quality than lights.
It's feeding off something right??

 

[beaslbob]

With 0 phosphates and nitrAtes, I presume you are running a fuge or otherwise have plant life in the system somehow. With 0 lights there will be no hair algae. So you might try temporaily turning off the lights in the display to kill off the hair. That will allow the desirable plant life to get ahead of the hair.