How often to replace bulbs

[sandstorm1221]

How often do I replace my bulbs. I have recently been battling cyano like crazy. I've tested my water many times and phosphates and nitrates all turn out 0 mg/L. That was AP test kits and I want to get salfert to see how close they were. If it turns out to be correct, im suspecting my bulbs but Ive only had them for about 5 months. Could they be going bad already?

 

[J4Life]

sandstorm1221,

Please post info on what type of lighting setup you have and then someone can assist you in answering your question. Also please let everyone know how long your lights are on.


Thanks,
Bill

 

[sandstorm1221]

shoot..i left that out. It is a Lunar Aqualight 36" 96W Actintics and 96W 10000K PC.

 

[mikeatjac]

Could be. When I was running PC's I would replace them at 6 months.

 

[Amphiprion]

6-8 months is reasonable for power compacts.

 

[J4Life]

Bulbs might be a possibility, but there are definitely other variables that could cause increased cyano. Water quality is always one of them.

Over feeding could be another problem. If using RO water and the TDS reading is higher than say a 2 that could attribute to the increased cyano. Water flow could also be.

How long has your tank been setup and running? Just 5 months? Basing that on your post about how old the lights bulbs are. Also how long do you have your lights per day? Decreasing them a little can help control cyano.

Cyano is something I think everyone deals with from time to time and I am not certain that there is an exact method for eliminating all of it. I deal with it from time to time and my tank is about 6 years old.

I do believe in having a good clean up crew will decrease this as well.

-Bill

 

[Asuran]

cut down on feeds helped me out greatly.