Help lighting problem

JetStarheart · Jun 6, 2013

Bought a nice t5ho light has 4 bulbs 2 bright white 2 actinic blue and night time led.. I have terrible horrible algae problems now.. So bad that my sterilizer cannot even keep up.. How do I minimize this. But still keep corals and anemonies an other inverts happy? I am currently having to wipe glass 1x a day and bleach decor 1x a week.... What am I doing wrong? Currently I he backed off the amount o time light is on.. It comes on at 11 and goes off at 8.. I cycle the bulbs so bright light is on first then both white and blue. Then just blue and finally night time for about an hour..

Zoanut · Jun 6, 2013

Old article, but this info is relevant now. Worth the time to read.

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

What lights were you using before this?

Reefing Madness · Jun 6, 2013

If you've bumped up lighting from a Power Compact, this will cause a bloom. This is when you need all your parameters in line, to keep it to a minimum. If you've waited to long on replacing your lights, this will do the same thing.

JetStarheart · Jun 6, 2013

Was just a reg ballast with a coral life 50/50 before.. All parameters are excellent except phosphates.. I have been battling that parameter for 3 months now

Reefing Madness · Jun 6, 2013

That will hurt you some, but the new light will make it bloom for you.

JetStarheart · Jun 7, 2013

Yes, i know the new light is making it bloom.. My question is how to minimize this.. I knownits not healthy to stick my hands in the tank daily...

Reefing Madness · Jun 7, 2013

Gotta get those Phosphates down. Gonna need a reactor or filter to do that, running GFO or Chemipure Elite, or something of that sort. You could kill the lights for 3 days, but if you don't get rid of the phosphates it will come right back.

ReeferBob · Jun 7, 2013

What bulbs are in it? I'd replace them all with new ATI bulbs. ATI bulbs are the correct spectrum for corals. Algae thrives on out of spectrum light sources.

JetStarheart · Jun 7, 2013

I was told these bulbs are correct. I have phosphate pillows in the filters along with fine filter pads.. I have been struggling with phosphates for a longtime now..i have done water changes,used pillows, etc. I am at a stand still with the phosphates..I am not comfortable killing lights for that long. I am leery about the inverts and soft corals with no lights...

Reefing Madness · Jun 7, 2013

Many have done the lights out with SPS tanks, with absolutely no issues. The tank comes out crystal clear when completed. But if your not comfortable, no worries, better get more GFO.

ReeferBob · Jun 7, 2013

"told these are correct"... hmmm... Would you mind telling us the brand and type of bulb? Also how old are they?

JetStarheart · Jun 8, 2013

Aqualife T5HO i think? Has 2 bright white,2 actinic blue and 4 night LED. Brand might be wrong.. It has a timer. I cam find out for sure tomorrow..

jasonrodreef · Jun 8, 2013

Back up on the time lights are on or off 2-3days..New Bulbs= algae growth x10. Phosphates have to be coming in the foods you use and how often and how much you feed your tank..Step up the water changes to weekly or bi weekly vs trying to take it on once a month.

JetStarheart · Jun 15, 2013

I feed my fish mysis,krill,brine and seaweed.. Mysis every day and rotate everything else..turned off lighting for 3 days.. Now that lights are on.. Algae is growing again...