Old light bulbs??

[adonis311]

I was told today by my LFS that the reason I was seeing such a bloom in alge was that my halide and PC bulbs are aging and have lost their spectrum. Is there any logic behind this or is he trying to get me to drop $200 on some lights for his commission? They all still work! I don't understand what he was getting at. Maybe someone knows if this was a marketing ploy or an actual issue.

 

[geoj]

Well many people believe that about old bulbs. I have not been able to see the difference. Yet it does make some sense because the blue spectrum in some types of lights is said to fade faster then the green and red spectrum. The algae is believed to grow better under the green and red spectrums thus the belief...

 

[geoj]

How long has the tank been set up?
Do you test your water for nitrate and phosphate?

 

[adonis311]

phosphates and nitrates are at acceptable levels, and the tank is about 5 months old. i'm sure it just comes with the long term cycle but what can i do to keep the alge back?

 

[deejeff442]

add a two little fishes phosphate reactor.maybe $100 for everythibng.no food no algae ...simple
if your lights are only 5 months old they are not bad yet.i change mine once a year.and do not buy cheap bulbs.

 

[btldreef]

If your bulbs are only 5 months old, there is no need to replace them, unless they weren't good bulbs to start out with or you're running them 24 hours a day....
Algae blooms are common in young tanks. What type of algae are you seeing? Can you post some pictures?

 

[smallreef]

and what are you considering "acceptable rates"?

 

[bang guy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoJ http:///t/389797/old-light-bulbs#post_3447378
Well many people believe that about old bulbs. I have not been able to see the difference. Yet it does make some sense because the blue spectrum in some types of lights is said to fade faster then the green and red spectrum. The algae is believed to grow better under the green and red spectrums thus the belief...
I have never been convinced that old bulbs cause algae blooms.

 

[smallreef]

I believe if they are REALLY old they could be more of a problem than a help... but alone I dont think they CAUSE algae blooms....
but 5 months isnt old to begin with...