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Reply With QuoteIn my opinion, once they get old, they lose the spectrum that it was, and yes, it becomes more like a grow lite. I used to run 400w over my refugium and it grew caulerpa like a mother!!!!!!
Will old MH bulb increase algae growth?
Hey Charlie & Gang,
I figured this would be a simple question to answer for the pros. I was wondering if old (don't know how old) 175W screw in MH bulbs would dramatically increase hair algae growth? I know that excessive nutrients, nitrates and phosphates will ultimately cause hair algae growth but how much, if any, would these bulbs fuel the fire?
Thanks,
Devon
In my opinion, once they get old, they lose the spectrum that it was, and yes, it becomes more like a grow lite. I used to run 400w over my refugium and it grew caulerpa like a mother!!!!!!
400 Gallon Reef Log
Rome wasn't built in a day---neither is a reef
Willis--1998-2009---I will miss you.
A guy down here in Misosula I know got a good deal on some MH 175 Watt pendants and now his hair algae is going nuts. I helped him setup his PM Bullet 2 so hopefully that will help.
P.S. I just got another votec mp40w in the mail! I have them both set up now, yours next!
When are you coming up next???? What "K" rating are this guys lites? Also, what is his tank husbandry like. Usually when the hair starts, it is related to that.
400 Gallon Reef Log
Rome wasn't built in a day---neither is a reef
Willis--1998-2009---I will miss you.
Not sure what the K rating is. It's a 180 gallon tank with a 2 foot bamboo shark and a 8" blue dot ray. He's pretty good with the husbandry but he feeds a bit too much as shown by his high nitrates (80ppm). But I'm hoping with the new skimmer hooked up that should help but I know the hair algae is going to continue to grow like a weed at that nitrate level. I just don't think the old MH bulbs are helping.
Not exactly sure when I'll be up, probably for the metting.
Well, just give me a call, maybe you would like to head up on Saturday morning, early and stop on up.
This is one person that SHOULD have a refugium!!!!! Time to put on your best "you need a refugium" speech!!! How much live rock does he have?
400 Gallon Reef Log
Rome wasn't built in a day---neither is a reef
Willis--1998-2009---I will miss you.
Not enough rock. He also lacks the room for a nice sized refug. But we are going to be building a 300 gal. tank here pretty soon (waiting on the 3/4" glass) and I think I will talk him into integrating one at that point. The tank he has now is only temp.
Yeah, it will.
Change your bulb and it will make a big difference.
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