new light!

[am3gross05]

ok i got a new 250 watt mh light. i already have a 175 mh on 1 side.is it normal when you add a new light that you get an algea breakout....water tested good. nitrites 0 ammonia is at 0 ph was at 8.2 and my trates was at 20.......it is a 75 gal tank with a 29 gal refugium..thanks in advance for your input.

 

[am3gross05]

bump......

 

[thegrog]

Normal....not sure. I would definately say it is not abnormal or unusual. Do a 10% water change twice a week for a few weeks and it should clear up soon. If not, look for another source (silicates, phosphorous, etc) but I suspect your outbreak was due to new lighting. Don't add anything live to the tank until this outbreak clears up in a few weeks.

 

[eaglefan]

from what I was told before on this site, when you add new lights slowly add them. Meaning don't have them on for long periods of time start with an hour and a day for a few days and increase the length every couple day until you are at your run time. I had the same problem as you I bought mh's and just turned them on for 8 hours a day and boom algae issue. Hope this helps

 

[wax32]

You can also buy non-corrosive screens from Home Depot and put them over the part of the tank with the new light. Use multiple layers and take one off each week or so.
Edit: spelling.