Getting new light... which one?

[NotFishyFishGuy]

hey guys, I’ve had an algae problem for a while now but didn’t have the money to buy a new light since the light I have was probably the cuase. I have checked everything else, bought snails, clean everyday, feed sparingly, keep the light on for only like 10 hours, and now I’m thinking of getting a new light. Today is February 28th and I want a new light soon so I probably will get a new one by MARCH 5TH. If you are viewing this after March 5th, feel free to leave a reply though, I probably already bought a light PROBABLY. (Not positive)
Anyways, I want to get a good light. I have a fluval evo 13.5 and I would like th light to be able to sustain coral life, almost all the corals, and don’t want it to be too expensive. I only have this one chance to invest in a new light and would like to get a good one the first try. Thanks

 

[acer]

budget - whats not "too expensive" . For a small aquariums like what you have I have heard Kessil is very good.

 

[Bob Weigant]

I’m also replacing lights and have decided to go back to kessil

 

[Hermie]

How does a light affect algae growth? I guess I mean, is there too much of a certain spectrum that increases algae growth? Red spectrum? If you just turn down the light (if possible), wouldn't that limit the growth? I guess I just am wondering why you think it's the "kind of light" you have that's leading to the algae growth.

 

[Crustaceon]

Kessil A80 Tuna Blue Nano. Great quality, slick installation, grows coral and runs for around $130 ($155 with the gooseneck).

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

How does a light affect algae growth? I guess I mean, is there too much of a certain spectrum that increases algae growth? Red spectrum? If you just turn down the light (if possible), wouldn't that limit the growth? I guess I just am wondering why you think it's the "kind of light" you have that's leading to the algae growth.

What do you think would help limit algae growth then? I’ve practically tried everything and a good light may also grow the corals better.

 

[acer]

Yes- I agree- it may not be the light- what is the TDS of the water you are using to mix your water and how often are you doing water changes. In a nano tank that is very important = reduce nitrate, Phosphates, etc.

 

[ecamden]

How long do you run the light? I have had this tank for a few years and never had an issue with the stock light (which puts out over 500par). I have an AI prime on it now but that was due to heat issues so I had to remove the top. I am very happy with the prime and its relatively inexpensive and easy to use.

 

[Hermie]

What do you think would help limit algae growth then? I’ve practically tried everything and a good light may also grow the corals better.

all things that limit algae IMO:

1. less light (further, of the spectrum algae likes)
2. less nutrients (feedings, detritus buildup, dying organisms)
3. more algae eaters (rotifers, copepods, snails, crabs, fish. all sizes of organisms)
4. organisms that compete for algae's food source (ex: macro algae)
5. overpowered UV sterilizer

That's most of what I can think of off the top of my head. Don't get me wrong, if you want to upgrade your light, that's a good idea, I just would not expect algae to stop growing because of it.

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

Yes- I agree- it may not be the light- what is the TDS of the water you are using to mix your water and how often are you doing water changes. In a nano tank that is very important = reduce nitrate, Phosphates, etc.

I always do water changes every week, sometimes almost 50%. I also take out some algae by hand. I don't know what the tds of my water is but I use a fairly new Aquatic life RO 3stage and Aquatic Life Di 2 stage system.

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

How long do you run the light? I have had this tank for a few years and never had an issue with the stock light (which puts out over 500par). I have an AI prime on it now but that was due to heat issues so I had to remove the top. I am very happy with the prime and its relatively inexpensive and easy to use.

About 10 hours a day.

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

all things that limit algae IMO:

1. less light (further, of the spectrum algae likes)
2. less nutrients (feedings, detritus buildup, dying organisms)
3. more algae eaters (rotifers, copepods, snails, crabs, fish. all sizes of organisms)
4. organisms that compete for algae's food source (ex: macro algae)
5. overpowered UV sterilizer

That's most of what I can think of off the top of my head. Don't get me wrong, if you want to upgrade your light, that's a good idea, I just would not expect algae to stop growing because of it.

I keep the light in the same place, have practicaly been starving the fish for two days (I will feed them tomorrow), I have 4 snails and a nassarius thatlooks like its dead, and don't know what macro algae is (my first saltwater tank and im new to the hobby), and I do not have a sterilizer.

 

[acer]

Welcome to the frustrations /joys of saltwater reef aquariums. First off - a nano or "small tank" is much, much harder to keep stable water parameters in than a larger tank. Get TDS meter to make sure your RODI system is indeed working properly. What light are you currently using - the stock? Whats the parameters of the tank water = po4, no3, ammonia, spe3cific gravity, ca+, mg+ - all are necessary if you want to keep coral. In a 12 gallon tank a 50% change of water is a huge change for any inhabitants to deal with = instability. Are you heating the water to the same temp as the tank before doing the water change? I assume your testing the new water and making sure it is the same specific gravity of the tank water and the same temp. Your much better off doing a 5% water change every other day than a 50% change once per week. A picture of your setup may also help everyone to give you pointers.

 

[Gareth elliott]

I vote ai prime, controllable outside the box perfect for a nano tank where you may need to decrease or increase intensity. And only $199 brand new. Biased of course as an ai prime user.

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

Welcome to the frustrations /joys of saltwater reef aquariums. First off - a nano or "small tank" is much, much harder to keep stable water parameters in than a larger tank. Get TDS meter to make sure your RODI system is indeed working properly. What light are you currently using - the stock? Whats the parameters of the tank water = po4, no3, ammonia, spe3cific gravity, ca+, mg+ - all are necessary if you want to keep coral. In a 12 gallon tank a 50% change of water is a huge change for any inhabitants to deal with = instability. Are you heating the water to the same temp as the tank before doing the water change? I assume your testing the new water and making sure it is the same specific gravity of the tank water and the same temp. Your much better off doing a 5% water change every other day than a 50% change once per week. A picture of your setup may also help everyone to give you pointers.

I will get a tds meter. I’m using the stock light. I understand a nano is harder but I didn’t have space for a larger tank. I will be testing the parameters later today I am heating the water to the same temp and salinity about the same specific gravity. I will do a 5% change everyday then. Pictures will come soon the lights are off right now.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

A single ai prime hd should work. And fully customizable without any additional costs.

 

[fishnchip]

My vote is for the AI Prime HD! Easy to use and my corals seem to love it. What else is there to ask for??

 

[MaiReef]

+1 on the prime

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

A single ai prime hd should work. And fully customizable without any additional costs.

+1 on the prime

My vote is for the AI Prime HD! Easy to use and my corals seem to love it. What else is there to ask for??

Looks like you all want me to get the ai prime. I’ll check it out.

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

Welcome to the frustrations /joys of saltwater reef aquariums. First off - a nano or "small tank" is much, much harder to keep stable water parameters in than a larger tank. Get TDS meter to make sure your RODI system is indeed working properly. What light are you currently using - the stock? Whats the parameters of the tank water = po4, no3, ammonia, spe3cific gravity, ca+, mg+ - all are necessary if you want to keep coral. In a 12 gallon tank a 50% change of water is a huge change for any inhabitants to deal with = instability. Are you heating the water to the same temp as the tank before doing the water change? I assume your testing the new water and making sure it is the same specific gravity of the tank water and the same temp. Your much better off doing a 5% water change every other day than a 50% change once per week. A picture of your setup may also help everyone to give you pointers.

Ok so here are some pictures.

These are som pictures before I cleaned up the tank this morning. The bottle is my DIY bristle worm trap that failed. I took it out after cleaning.

And here are the pictures after.

I took out some algae on the sand by hand, same with the rocks. The water is still a little bit murky because the sand came up. I will test the water later.