Shorter photo-period?

[bigmayreefer]

Currently i have a 29 gallon with 250W 14k MH lighting. I run an AC500 fuge with LR/chaeto. Also has a remora C HOB skimmer, 46#'s of LR and an AC 50 powerhead. Up untill recently most alge has been taken care of by my snails, but im starting to notice a little more than before. I run my lighting 8hrs a day. Would shortening the light cycle be a help?? Any suggestions would be helpful. Also- ammonia, nitrite at 0. nitrate at 10. ph 8.3 salinity 1.025.
Thanks in advance,
Mason

 

[DrBDC]

How old are the bulbs?

 

[drgabe]

I'd also be suspicious of phospates. You have them, since you have algae growing. Now what to do about them is another story all together.

Like DrDBC is alluding to, if your lights are old it will promote algae growth.

If you shorten your photoperiod, all light loving animals will have restricted growth. Algae and corals alike.

 

[Shooter7]

Yeah, I would say leave the light period as is but try to reduce nitrates, find out what your phosphate level is....do you use RO/DI water?

 

[bigmayreefer]

The bulb is only 4 months old. I havent tested for phosphates and i just recently got an ro/di unit. All my coral is doing really really well, so i have just been cleaning up patches the snails miss rather than reduce light. I havent tested for phosphates, so that is probably the problem. What test kit do yall recommend?