algea bloom

[jimbooo]

hmm i think i remebered my number somewht worng on checking nitrate again is seems to be at aorund 5ppm, so what can it be thats causing teh bloom, and i so confused, thanx guys for all you help

in that case i'd test for phosphate although the test kits aren't cheap, up to you but it would be usefull to know the reading.

I've got 2.7 wpg - 2 x 6500K blubs, and 2 x 10000k bulbs.

Think adding a carbon filter cartrigde might help clear things up?

your not going to like this but 10,000K bulbs will promote algae. i had a big algae problem about 7/8 months ago when i had one 10,000K, 2 x 7500K, 1X 5500K

within a week of swaping the 10,000K for a 3,000K dennerle the algae had significantly reduced.

i'd guess you probably get really stubborn spot algae on the glass as well? am i right?

 

[Jen]

Yep. I've got that too. I get so many conflicting ideas here. Some people say that the Kelvin rating isn't imfortant, some people only use the 10,000k bulbs. Unfortunately, my bulbs are $50 each, but I think I am going to have to bit the bullet and get them today.

 

[jimbooo]

i know what you mean, thats why i originally bought the 10,000K bulb. i think in a deep tank (ie deeper than normal, hex or "tall") a 10,000K would be usefull to penetrate right to the bottom but in my experience they are too strong. whatever anyone says i'll never go above 7500K again and one of those is enough with more tubes in the 3-5000K range.

the other drawback is with the 10,000K tube i was pruning twice a week but the plants weren't as intricate and detailed (cant think how to describe it any better) as they are with lower K tubes. Growth is more steady as well. You can tell by the pearling, with 10,000K i had big bubbles on everything, looked like boiling water. With 3-5000K you get the same quantity but much finer bubbles. It has a more tranquil (sp?) look to the tank rather than the base of a waterfall so to speak.

rambling now sorry

 

[Jen]

Not rambling.... informative. I do have a taller tank... 24", so I know that I don't have the true WPG that I think I do, but I'm not having any luck with these 2 bulbs.