How to know when lights need replaced?

[PattyMac]

In the last month, my corals aren't as happy as they were. THe bubble coral is peeling off it's base and my hammer coral has shrunk. Also, there is more green hair algea than ever. I made no significant changes to the tank - except rearranging the live rock. I don't know how hold the lights are.

Nitrates are at 10.

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[hahnmeister]

I would be looking at other things beyond the lighting if I were you... sounds like your nutrient levels are spiking.

 

[McCrary]

Check your phosphate levels, also start running some carbon and do a water change. Its amazing how much of a difference a 20% water change and some carbon will make.

 

[luke33]

What kind of lights are you working with here and whats going on with your flow and skimming?

 

[PattyMac]

I have 2 actinic and 2 middays on a 150gal tank w/ 55gal sump. I adopted the tank and don't know how old the lights are.

Started skimming one week ago with a seaclone 100 in the sump. It gets a small amount of medium dark fluid every day or two, but the nitrates havent' gone down noticeably.

Was not using carbon, but can - and will by using the "passive" technique where you just drop the bag into the sump.

Not sure how to describe my flow, but it hasn't changed since things were healthy.

Perform weekly 5gal water changes and go through 5 gal of top off weekly. (using ocean and RO water)

I will check the phosphates.

 

[McCrary]

The seaclone isn't a very effective skimmer, but should be better than nothing. In a tank that size you should probably be doing more water changes as well. Pick up a Two Little Fishes carbon reactor from marinedepot.com, it will allow you to better utilize your carbon (you might also want to pick one up for phosban). Continue to monitor your nitrates and phosphates and try to get them as close to 0 as possible.

 

[luke33]

Patty, when you say your doing weekly top off are you adding salt each time you top off. If so check your sg imediately, your sg may be way high. Its a beginners mistake if so. Your skimmer is one of the worst one's out there but many fall for the seaclown, so no worries, but you definately need an upgrade. Carbon isn't going to do anything imo. Sounds like you have t5's for lighting, which is good, you will need more if you plan on keeping sps and clam's.