Polyp question?

[scooter8416]

I have a small colony of zoo’s and a med size colony of yellow polyps. Over the past few months their tentacles have became longer and they are reaching upward. Also, their stocks have became pretty slim. Does this sound like the bulbs are getting bad?? Tank does test out ok. If not enough info to determine cause i'll post it.
Thanks

 

[neilinny]

What are your light specs and where in the tank are the polyps?
P.s. I think a friend of mine said he delivered beer to Middleport last week.

 

[scooter8416]

Lighting is 440 watts VHO 2- 03 atinic and 2-50/50. The bulbs are kinda old. Probably 2 years or more....
Its a 75 gal. Just have those 2 softies and a a dozen or so mushrooms. 1 yellow tang, 1 tomatoe clown, 1 green mandrain, 3 1/2 inches of LS, 70 lbs. of LR. Been running for about 2 years.
Tested the other day for;
Ph 8.2
Rate 0
Rite 0
Amm 0
Alk 3.0
Cal 360
Phos .13
The zoo's are right up top in a med/high flow, and they are reaching the most. The yellow polyps are about mid was up in the tank in a med flow.
Who does your friend deliver for? Its a tiny town...

 

[neilinny]

I don't have vho experience, but from what I've read 2 yrs would be past their prime(to say the least).
He delivers for Decresente Distributing (here) in Mechanicville.

 

[scooter8416]

never heard of Mechanicville sorry.
Thanks for the input though, I just wanna make sure the lights would cause for them to do what they are doing. Before I go buy new ones @ 30 bucks a peice.
anyone else have any idea??

 

[neilinny]

Mechanicville is in Saratoga co. Our most recent claim to infamy was an F5 tornado 6 years ago. Decresente covers a lot of area supplying most of the state and parts of others with beer. mmm beer
I just bought new lights and in my research I found that vho bulbs have about 6 good months in them.
100th post!

 

[verde_ad]

I think it is time to change your bulbs. Besides what is going on with you polyps you can have other side effects. As the bulb deminishes in quality so does the light spectram and you may/will start to see algae growth that wasn't there before. Do yourself a favor and spend the money now, before you have a real headache and your tank will look nicer and everything will be happy

AJ

 

[scooter8416]

AJ there is a TON of bubble algae now, over the past 2 months it been grown all over and now its starting to level off and go away, think this if from the bulbs? I run the lights for 8 1/2 a day.

 

[verde_ad]

I think there is a fairly good chance its your bulbs. It is hard to say for sure, but I would definitely start there. Your light cycle might also be affecting your polyps. I leave my lights on for 12hrs. 10 of which is all my lights and 1hr at each end with actinics only, for a sunrise sunset effect.