Bulb replacment time?? Carpet algae ugh.

[Abscam]

My MH bulbs just turned a year, and my 50/50 VHO are about 13 months old. Do they all need to be replaced?

Recently I've noticed an algae bloom over and above the normal growths I get if I don't scrape the sides at least weekly.

There is a brown/greenish carpet algae growing on the sand bed that grew up and onto one my my lower growing soft corals - a Sacropyton I believe. I scraped it off the coral and scooped it off the sand bed.

LFS guy told me it might be related to the output from the bulbs and could/should go away w/ the newer bulbs and updating my snail and crab population.

Its been about a year now and my original snail and crab population has dwindled from about 50 critters to probably 25 or so critters.

Is it safe to say you should replace any and all bulbs on a 12 month time period or shorter? Coral and purple tipped Sabae anenome look great, corraline algae is still looking strong.

TIA,
Abscam man

 

[danmhippo]

Bulb need replacement "MAY" have something to do with it. But, I suspect more on your water quality. When is the last time you do water change? What is your NO3 & PO4 reading?

 

[Abscam]

I'm due a water change.

Father, it has been at least two months since my last water change. During this time I have committed sins - i've not kept up on the cleaning of my protein skimmer and two corner jets. Nor have I blown my rocks recently.

I'm planning on a 10 gallon water change this weekend for a 55 gallon tank (empty). Also a cleaning of my equipment.

Last water parameter check
Tank Statistics [January 5, 2002]
Temperature 74 degrees
Salinity 32.5 ppt
Specific Gravity 1.024
PH ~8.0
Alkalinity 2.855
Calcium >500 ppt - off the scale
Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate readings all 0

Don't have a Phosphate test. I suspect my water RO water filter needs to be changed out as well.

Abscam's Saltwater Tank

 

[Jawbone]

Flourescent light bulbs do lose their lustre after awhile I have visibly noticed bulbs that are 6 months old look dim compared to a new one right next to it. ( Some mfgs. ) but its what you dont see that is also bad.
I am sure that I dont know the frequency of light that promotes the "Bad Algae" but we do know that 10,000k and 18,000k are the frequencies that "good algae" like.
Yes a flourescent bulb will glow for years but the metals and gases get consumed and no longer function as new. So after 6 months it still looks bright to you and I but maybe the frequency has been changing to around 8500k - We cant tell the diff but corals can.