lighting

[greg_pickens]

I am new to this forum so I hope this is in the right place.

I might need to get a new bulb due to algea growth. Does anyone have any sugguestions?

It is a 150W HQI in a giesemann fixture.

should I go with 10000k or 14000k?

I do have a little actinic in the giesemann but I don't know if it is putting out enough light for the tank. (58 Oceanic)

[NaCl_H2O]

Greg, welcome to MAAST! This stuff is probably best in the Equipment forum, but no sweat! A mod might move it, just in case you can;t find it.

A little more info is needed. What are you keeping in the tank - fish, fish & Live Rock, soft corals, hard corals?

One 150W fixture on a 58 sounds like too little, but need to know what you have in the tank. Oh, and what are the tank demensions? esp. depth!

[GaryP]

Light is never the cause of algae growth. Excessive nutrients is, especially phosphates.

[JeremyGlen]

Too little or too much light can cause algae blooms. High nutrients and not enough water movement are usually the main culprits.

The 58g tank is 36.5x18.5x21. Your not going to have near enough light if your trying to grow difficult LPS or any SPS. Softies should do ok in your tank though.

I prefer the 14.5/15K lights, but also like the 20K as well.

[GaryP]

Allow me to clarify something. Old bulbs provide low light levels and this may allow pest algaes such as hair algae to out compete beneficial algaes such as corraline algae.