Lights On Too Long?

recole · 04-28-2008, 11:01 AM

On my 75 gal, I have a set up of T-5 lighting. Many softies and montipora. My lights are on about 12 hrs. a day. I am still fighting some green algae. All chem. parameters are good. How's the lighting time seem to ya? Is 12 hrs. sound about right or maybe too long?

BigAl07 · 04-28-2008, 11:05 AM

Lighting time is not an exact science. Most of the time algae is due to excess nutrients in your water. This could come from over feeding..... slack on water changes... high phosphates (preservatives in prepackaged foods), low flow, high nutrient source water (city water etc) or a combination of the above. I wouldn't think that's too long but you can cut back some to see how the tank reacts. I would suspect other factors though.

How often do you feed?

How MUCH do you feed?

What do you feed?

How often do you do Water Changes and how much?

What is your source water ? Do you have an RO/DI unit?

What are you current water test results and do you DOSE anything?

BigAl07 · 04-28-2008, 11:06 AM

Also whats the AGE of your bulbs? As they get slightly older the light spectrum changes and they become more conducive to algae growth.

04-28-2008, 11:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
recole Fire Coral Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 70 View Gallery Karma Komment	Lights On Too Long? On my 75 gal, I have a set up of T-5 lighting. Many softies and montipora. My lights are on about 12 hrs. a day. I am still fighting some green algae. All chem. parameters are good. How's the lighting time seem to ya? Is 12 hrs. sound about right or maybe too long?

04-28-2008, 11:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 11,496 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Lights On Too Long? Lighting time is not an exact science. Most of the time algae is due to excess nutrients in your water. This could come from over feeding..... slack on water changes... high phosphates (preservatives in prepackaged foods), low flow, high nutrient source water (city water etc) or a combination of the above. I wouldn't think that's too long but you can cut back some to see how the tank reacts. I would suspect other factors though. How often do you feed? How MUCH do you feed? What do you feed? How often do you do Water Changes and how much? What is your source water ? Do you have an RO/DI unit? What are you current water test results and do you DOSE anything? __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. >((((º> Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

04-28-2008, 11:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 11,496 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Lights On Too Long? Also whats the AGE of your bulbs? As they get slightly older the light spectrum changes and they become more conducive to algae growth. __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. >((((º> Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

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