Lighting changes and algal growth

[bromion]

Hi all,

I'm looking for feedback on lighting changes relating to algal growth in my tank. I've got a 58gal. Originally I had just one 400W 20kK MH bulb running for 8 hours per day. This would transfer a lot of heat to the tank, and it cost quite a bit to run that long. I decided to cut that time back to 4 hours and supplement the rest with a 48W 50/50 PC system. Since then, I have noticed a lot more hair algae and cyano as compared to coralline.

Did the intensity and color change affect this? Does the lower color temperature favor hair and cyanobacteria over the coralline? If so, should I change out the 50/50s for lower-watt 20000K bulbs, or just ditch the supplemental lighting altogether?

Thanks for feedback!

Jason

[Blown 346]

By adding a stronger lighting spectrum you will have some added algae growth. I had this happen to me when I got my halides, after a month or so it diminished to nothing.
I would just keep up maintenance and get what ever algae you can out. The blooms will slow down and stop.