are old bulbs creating algae?
- Thread starter saltysteven
- Start date
xtm
Active member
Re: are old bulbs creating algae?
The short answer is no.
There are many tanks out there with new bulbs and tons of unwanted algae. The problem with older bulbs is not necessarily color shifting, but the fact that it loses intensity over time. I replace my bulbs every 24 months and I still think that was too short.
The short answer is no.
There are many tanks out there with new bulbs and tons of unwanted algae. The problem with older bulbs is not necessarily color shifting, but the fact that it loses intensity over time. I replace my bulbs every 24 months and I still think that was too short.
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djfrankie
In Memoriam
It's a known fact that color spectrum will shift as the bulb ages, but imo it will not solely contribute to algae growth.
Here's my reasoning, which could be absolutely wrong BTW, is that the spectrum needed for algae growth was already there to begin with. This is assuming you're using bulbs made for aquarium use and mostly lack the red spikes.
Of course, visual perception always plays a little trick on us. For example, hair algae is more visible when using lower K bulbs as in 6.5 K bulbs. Now try the same tank with maybe 20K and you'll see less of it.
Maybe this is the reasoning behind the title of this thread.
As the bulb ages and shifts spectrum (goes towards the yellow/red) different algaes become visually easier to identify and algaes grow a little better/faster.
The source for the algae has to be there to start with. Old bulbs won't make it happen alone.
Every piece of scientific literature that I've ever read has never pointed to algae growth due to old bulbs changing spectrum alone.
The only reason I change my bulbs is because they start shifting the spectrum and intensity at the same time. However, the intensity is easily adjusted for by lowering the lamp a bit. Color on the other hand is not too easy.
In this case, until proven wrong, I would have to side with celano.
djfrankie
Here's my reasoning, which could be absolutely wrong BTW, is that the spectrum needed for algae growth was already there to begin with. This is assuming you're using bulbs made for aquarium use and mostly lack the red spikes.
Of course, visual perception always plays a little trick on us. For example, hair algae is more visible when using lower K bulbs as in 6.5 K bulbs. Now try the same tank with maybe 20K and you'll see less of it.
Maybe this is the reasoning behind the title of this thread.
As the bulb ages and shifts spectrum (goes towards the yellow/red) different algaes become visually easier to identify and algaes grow a little better/faster.
The source for the algae has to be there to start with. Old bulbs won't make it happen alone.
Every piece of scientific literature that I've ever read has never pointed to algae growth due to old bulbs changing spectrum alone.
The only reason I change my bulbs is because they start shifting the spectrum and intensity at the same time. However, the intensity is easily adjusted for by lowering the lamp a bit. Color on the other hand is not too easy.
In this case, until proven wrong, I would have to side with celano.
djfrankie
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