New Bulb Selection

Well it's about time to buy a new bulb for my little reef. I am currently running a 14k 250W HQI MH. I was wondering if there is a better temperature bulb for my tank. I currently have Zoanthids, an Orange Cap Scrolling Montipora and a Green Galaxia. All are doing fine but I do have a slight algae problem. I never had any type of algae problem in my small tank with a 11k T-6 bulb. The Bio load is light and I feed the fish every other day. No phosphates in new water. Ammonia is 0.0ppm same for the Nitrates and Nitrites. All those could be because they are being consumed. I believe the algae are associated with the lighting. I am considering a 10k bulb but not sure of the temps or brands. The bulb I am using came with my lighting setup. Thanks for any help.

 

If you have an algae problem, a 10,000K bulb will not help, it may make it worse. Algae grows best with red light and a 10,000K bulb will have more red light than a higher temperature bulb.

 

kewl thanks. So maybe a 20k bulb. Or maybe a higher quality 15k bulb?

 

Bulb temp really shouldn't affect your algae issue.... Are you sure that the levels are as low as your tests say?

What type of algae are you dealing with?
How long is your photoperiod and how old is the lamp itself?

 

The algae is green hair and green film on the glass. As stated above

So the levels could be higher but theres no way to tell. The bulb is about a year old. It was a cheap Odysea bulb that came installed in the hood when I got it.

 

As bulbs age the spectrum will shift and often you will see algae outbreaks....

 

Ok thanks. Any recommendations on brands. The ballast is electronic and the bulb type is HQI/DE

 

How big is your tank?

 

Manhattan Reefs - Sanjay's Lighting Guide

This might help...

 

Its a 35 gallon.