MH vs. t5's

[iluv2laff2]

Grim,
I am fighting green algae bad! I have mostly just a fish tank with a few softies. I just have this tank for the kids really but I would love to get rid of the algae. I did a thirty gallon water change sunday and treated with Algaefix hoping to see some improvement. I have 2-250 watt MH and am considering trying to trade those for some t5's and am wondering if that would be a good idea or not. The halides heat my water up too much and am having trouble keeping invertebrates. Please give me some advice.

 

[evsalty]

What is your source water? If it is tap this can be a problem.

What are your water params?

For the halides just put a small fan or two to blow across the bulb. I use two 4" massey fans from walmart ($7 ea) and run them only when the halides are on.

 

[HighlandReef]

you can also get a computer case fan and use an old cell phone charger to run it... thats what i did

 

[iluv2laff2]

My water is from an RODI machine. All tests on water show parameters are perfect.

 

[evsalty]

Can you list them? RODI machine? The water kioskes are usually only RO if that is what you are refering to.

FWIW Any and all info will help us to help you.

Nitrates, phosphates and silicates can all lead to algae growth. Wrong spectrum bulbs especially those that have shifted or anything in the 6500K range will promote green algae growth.

When you say green algae do you mean green hair algae or slime algae or green algae on the glass?

 

[iluv2laff2]

my bulbs are 14,000 hqi. I am fighting hair algae, some red not much and some algae on glass thats is hard to even scrape off. i misspoke on the parameters. will test and get them in a bit.

 

[evsalty]

If your could answer all questions it will really help to be able to help you.

More questions and repeats of previous questions.
How old are your bulbs?

What do you mean by RODI machine? Is it a rodi unit hooked up in your house or a water Kioske at the store?

What kind of filtration are you using? i.e. wet/dry, sump, refugium, canister, hob, skimmer...etc etc...

Do you have a deep sand or shallow or bare bottom?

How much and what foods are you feeding to both fish and corals?

Are you adding any 2 parts, calcium, purple up, buffers etc etc?