Changing light tubes question

Hair algae is worse you may want to limit the amount of light 10 hours is a long frame of lighting also when have you last changed your bulbs if it has been more than 9 month's then time to change them. Bubble algae is not so bad just make sure when you pop them off not to bust them open.
Use Kent Marine Phosphate sponge follow directions for usage and place in a sump or where ever you have high water flow. ohh and use a filter sock to hold it in!! Lol On the first batch use it for 48 hours and toss it and reload this will help to clear any silicates as well and phosphates, how many fish do you have in the tank?

Hi, I notice you mentioned changing your lights. I've had the lights in my tank for a year (I'm new to this) and would like to know why change them out if they are still working? Also, I like warm looking light. What would you suggest for a 20 g tropical tank?

 

Hi, I hope you're enjoying Fishlore
We were all new at some point, and we never stop learning.

Stang Man's comment is specifically about changing tubes in a Saltwater environment.

Over time, the tubes lose their 'punch', and no longer produce the optimum spectrum of light. Which can result in algae blooms as a result of it just being "light" as opposed to being in the correct spectrum. For corals this is particularly important to maintain the correct lighting for optimal growth.

In a Freshwater planted aquarium, it is also necessary to regularly change the tubes to keep the optimum spectrum to support photosynthesis for plants to grow. I change my Freshwater planted tubes every 12 months.

For your 20 gallon Tropical, being fish only, you can run the lights longer, as the lights aren't supporting growth as such.

 

Hi, I hope you're enjoying Fishlore
We were all new at some point, and we never stop learning.

Stang Man's comment is specifically about changing tubes in a Saltwater environment.

Over time, the tubes lose their 'punch', and no longer produce the optimum spectrum of light. Which can result in algae blooms as a result of it just being "light" as opposed to being in the correct spectrum. For corals this is particularly important to maintain the correct lighting for optimal growth.

In a Freshwater planted aquarium, it is also necessary to regularly change the tubes to keep the optimum spectrum to support photosynthesis for plants to grow. I change my Freshwater planted tubes every 12 months.

For your 20 gallon Tropical, being fish only, you can run the lights longer, as the lights aren't supporting growth as such.

Thanks for taking the time to help with my question! Yes, I don't have live plants to worry about (with lighting), but I don't like cold looking light.

 

Without the worry of live plants you can chose about any type of lighting you want for the tank. I will caution thou that the live plant bug does bite once you try it. When that happens the lighting will need to be adjusted accordingly.

The reason for the change is bulbs is exactly as stated they lose their "punch" if you have ever seen a car with one headlight really dI'm or have watched some lights in your house appear dimmer until you replace them that is the reason. When you use incandescent lights you are running electricity thru a coil of wire which produced the light, well that wears down and produces less light over time. With fluorescent lights its the gas inside that starts to wear down over time and doesn't get as excited from the electrical charge.

 

Without the worry of live plants you can chose about any type of lighting you want for the tank. I will caution thou that the live plant bug does bite once you try it. When that happens the lighting will need to be adjusted accordingly.

The reason for the change is bulbs is exactly as stated they lose their "punch" if you have ever seen a car with one headlight really dI'm or have watched some lights in your house appear dimmer until you replace them that is the reason. When you use incandescent lights you are running electricity thru a coil of wire which produced the light, well that wears down and produces less light over time. With fluorescent lights its the gas inside that starts to wear down over time and doesn't get as excited from the electrical charge.

Thanks, that makes sense!

 

Hello!
If you want a warmer looking light, then you can use incandescent bulbs. But a word of caution....they run hot and will increase the temperature of your tank. So you'll just need to be careful!

 

Hello!
If you want a warmer looking light, then you can use incandescent bulbs. But a word of caution....they run hot and will increase the temperature of your tank. So you'll just need to be careful!

I love the warm tones that come from incandescent lights, but I'm thinking it may raise the temp of the goldfish tank. How much of a raise in temp do you think would occur?

 

I use Hagen Aquaglo and Sylvania Grolux for that warm pinkish light that I prefer in two of my aquaria.

 

If, by warmer, you mean more of a yellow tinge, then you could look at lighting in the sub 5000k temperatures. These have a more yellow appearance.