From Radion's to Radiums

I wonder if the radions with the red and green in them contribute to algae, I have tons of film algae, clean my glass every other day. It has gotten worse since I have stopped using my uv sterilizer though. Interesting FOD think we need some tank pics

 

I will get some shots in the coming weeks. Still building my 75. Two weeks out I think.

For those that have thoughts on it being a nutrient issue, I have 0ppm PO4 (via Hanna Checker), and untraceable NO3 (Salifert). No hair or cyano to speak of. Maintenance had stayed consistent throughout the transition.

 

One big thing about the grow of film algae on glass is how much light shines on the glass. With the optics commonly used on LED diodes, they often end up putting more light on the glass than MH reflectors do.

 

I just don't see the point in LED's, yes they are more efficient and you do not have to replace bulbs. Whats the point in all the above if your corals are not happy. Metal Halides have been used over and over for years with excellent results. I have a 1000 watt over my 240 and there is no way any LED light on the market can produce the same amount of PAR. The corals tell it all, yes the blue LED's make the colors pop. My metal halide makes the corals fluoresce without blue LED's. When there is a LED fixture on the market that can make my acros glow when I take them out of water to frag... then I will ditch my "ancient" Metal Halide.

Just my 2 cents Cheers!

A perfect example is the attached picture. This Acro came out of a tank and had been under leds for over a year. When it was in the other tank it was a mint green, now three months later this coral is eye hurting green in or out of the water, with or without any light.

 

This thread is in no way trying to discount the effectiveness of LED lighting. I ran LEDs for years with great success. I just posted a comparison of my observations between the two.

 

I will not say anything to the above comment on LEDs. I will say that I am very happy to hear that your tank is doing well, and hope your tank will continue to thrive, no matter what lights it

 

ditto!

 

" Findings:

I have found in the month after my switch from EcoTech Radions to 250W Mogul Radiums that I have seemingly ZERO algae forming. My film algae has decreased to the level that I only have to clean the glass once a week (and that's if I want to...still clear!). The polyp extension on my SPS has increased immensely on some species, and remained very nice on others. I just got my power bill, and it went up 9 cents...I know there was no control in my "experiment" but...WOW! How will I send my kids ot college with the 9 cent increase these inefficient MH's are costing me! Arrghhhh! Jokes of course. I have no heat issues due to my canopy design with fans and height above the water. "

Now I am confused, you clearly stated in the above that your end result after years of running LEDS your back to metal halides?. So again I just ask... Whats the point in running LEDS?

Was the algae the only reason for switching back? Why not change the spectrum? I am just trying to figure out If there is any point in switching to LEDs. I have not seen enough hard evidence, and would like to know more on the subject.