Another question about chaeto

I've had the same batch of chaeto for 5 months. It's in my fuge lit 24 hours a day by a portable work light with a cfl 6500k bulb from lowes. For the first 2 months my nitrates were 20-30 and since then at 0. Phosphates are between 0 and .25.
Unfortunately I have film algae, hair algae, and Caulerpa Racemosa growing just fine in my DT
I just got a Jbj 25watt Macro glo refugium light for free!
I don't know how old the bulb is. Is it possible that the cfl bulb from lowes wasn't working because the portable work light I was using wasn't reflecting enough to the algae? Should I replace the bulb in the free light I got with a cfl lowes bulb or a new bulb made for the light?

 

I've heard folks reporting problems with running the fuge light 24/7; most do better using a reverse schedule (opposite the dt light). You might also try a 3 - 4 day blackout in the dt. That will allow the chaeto to take up all the nutrients and starve out the nuisance algae.

BTW, with most hobby-grade test kits, you usually can't get a reliable reading on nutrient levels where there is sufficient algae growth.

 

I agree with Mr. Bill's post

 

I'm getting a new fish tomorrow so it will be good timing to do a blackout for a while. I'll also try a 12 reverse light schedule.
What about the light bulb? Switch it to a new 6500k cfl from lowes or stick with the bulb I have that came with the light, or order a new JBJ light?

 

I am growing Chaeto in one tank using a 6500K CFL from Home Depot, and it does just fine. I also grow it in my nano using an Ebay 3W (3 -1W) 6,000K LED lamp. It also grows fine using this light, although I had to lessen the photo period as it was too much light at first.

 

Thanks, I think I'll switch to the new 6500k bulb and do a 12 hour light period instead of 24/7