What to do
- Thread starter kwalls
- Start date
commonstranger
New member
I am assuming you upgraded from PC to T5. How many bulbs ? How many day lights how many atinics ? How long are you running the lights a day ? Have you tested the water to see whats feeding the algae besides the light ? Is it cyno, hair algae etc ? I wouldnt put the PC's back on then fix the problem I would keep my system the way it is and go from there. Atleast once you have it fixed you know its fixed the way you want it.
CKreef
New member
Test your water to make sure light is the reason for algae growth. Also you can cut down the time the lights are on and gradually increase the time over a month or so. This way the corals adjust to the increase in light. I would say your water quality is the reason for the algae bloom though. The extra light just helped it along.
DMBillies
Active member
I'll assume the T5 fixture has good individual reflectors. If that is the case, not only have you increased your light output by four bulbs but you're also getting more out of each bulb. This means that you just jacked your light output through the roof...
A couple of thoughts:
1. Corals take a while to adapt to light increases of that magnitude. In the long run it will probably be a good thing for them, in the short-term you should probably try decreasing the amount of light getting into the tank and slowly increase it. A number of people in the club have used a few layers of screen over the top of the tank and then slowly taken them off. I'm not sure what your set-up looks like, but that would be the easiest solution for most people.
2. If you're suddenly having an algae problem, the light isn't the problem, the water is. What happened is, you're dumping a lot more light into a tank that has the nutrients in it to allow algae to thrive. Sure, the light is "causing" it, but it is possible to keep an algae-free tank with that much light over it. Also, once your corals adjust, I am positive the vast majority will grow much better (especially the more light-loving species that are next to impossible to keep under PC's). What filtration systems are you using? Are you getting a high nitrate reading? Are phosphates also a problem?
In the long run I think you'll have a lot more options using T5's and should really enjoy them (since moving on to better lighting, I personally wouldn't use PC's for anything but a quarantine tank or a fixture to use at swaps). Hang in there and we'll try to help you through it.
supertech99
New member
i upgraded from a 65x4 pc to a 4 light individual reflector t5 unit on a 55, my corals showed only good reactions, I agree that your light output has increased massivley. May be a result of shock from the increase in light and intensity. You may try to shut out the lights, go some water changes and remove much of the algee, this may help you get ahead of it.
sandalscout
New member
Is this on your 55gallon? Perhaps you could pull some of the bulbs for now to help cut back some light. I agree with everyone else above, but that's an ENORMOUS amount of light!
commonstranger
New member
I would test the water like Brian said. Once you know the results you can make a better choice on what to do. Keep us updated whether it gets better or worse.
Thanks for all the help I will take your suggestions and put them to work and I will keep you updated on how things are going. I will cut back on the light times and will do a better job of checking my water quality. Can anyone suggest the best test kit to pick up or should I get individual ones, currently I only have the basic that checks PH, Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia.
waynesworld
Premium Member
what daylight bulb are you using if it is a 6k that is your problem you do not need 4 daylight bulbs in a tank that size I would use one to two aquablue or similar 11k range bulb.
