old bulbs and algae?

[youngtimothy]

I have heard old bulbs will promote bad algae, my T-5's are about a year old and I have been battling green algae on my rock and sand bed could it be the bulbs? all params are fine I have a 100 gallon SPS and LPS dominate tank every thing is growing well. all bulbs are overdriven and are going to be replaced when new ones come in. I do 15 gal water changes every 2 weeks with ro/di TDS 1 and no phosphates and I dont over feed my 7 fish. I'd like to hear if anyone has had algae outbreaks cause of their bulbs?

[ReeferRob]

The algae is probably consuming any nutrients in the tank therefor undetectable. Also if your bulbs are over driven they need to be replaced around the 8-10 month mark. But yes, if the bulbs move out of spectrum they can cause algae growth once they get down around 10k or lower.

Also be careful when you put the new bulbs in, may shock the corals for the intensity.

Hope this helps

[Sir Patrick]

Ive had multiple experiances w/ old bulbs (spectrum lost) helping algea growth.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

+1 for what Patrick and Rob said. Old bulbs will promote unwanted algae and overdriven bulbs need to be replaced more frequently than regularly driven bulbs.

Tom

[youngtimothy]

thanks I change them at 1 year so its time. when I change them I dont do them all at once I do 1 every 3-4 days. I also upped the flow today we'll see if that helps. I have 2 vortec's in my 100 gallon plus a 1000 gph return pump flow has never been a problem! thanks again!