Timer settings for VHOs

[KingMinnow]

I just installed 2 6' URI VHO lights over my 180 gal.
I am starting to get brown algae growing on my glass, sand, and powerheads in the tank.

I went to my LFS and purchased a Phosphate test kit, and phosphate reducer, my Phosphate measures around 0, and I put the reducer in the sump, but I'm still getting brown algae.

I had my VHOs set for 7:30am - 7:30pm, is that too long? (No Metal Halides in hood yet). I like the tank lit, but is it too much? What else reduces algae?

Nick

[Ninong]

I just installed 2 6' URI VHO lights over my 180 gal.
I am starting to get brown algae growing on my glass, sand, and powerheads in the tank.

Probably just diatoms. If your tank is new, this is just a phase you have to go through during the initial cycle.

I had my VHOs set for 7:30am - 7:30pm, is that too long?

No, it's not too long. It's fine!

(No Metal Halides in hood yet). I like the tank lit, but is it too much? What else reduces algae?

If you're talking about the diatoms, they will pass in a couple of weeks anyway.

[KingMinnow]

Its not a brand new tank, I've had it setup in my house since September 04, but before I had it, it was setup in my friends house for years. We left the live sand in when we moved it. However I just installed the lights a week ago. Do you think it is cycling again?

Nick

Probably just diatoms. If your tank is new, this is just a phase you have to go through during the initial cycle.



No, it's not too long. It's fine!



If you're talking about the diatoms, they will pass in a couple of weeks anyway.

[Ninong]

It's not actually cycling again, it's just that you made some changes in your lighting and this enabled an increase in algal growth. Things should balance out within two or three weeks.