Lighting question

Well what are your water readings? Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH if you know them.

This is what we need to know.

If u think that if I change lights that green algae will take over I would almost prefer that. I know my pl*co would

It's a distinct possibility/ probability that you could grow a different type of algea with a different type of light. I am an expert at growing algea, but have never tried selecting a type and catering to it specifically. :laugh: :laugh: I know when I switched to good bulbs over my 55 Oscar tank, I went from irritating ( small) amounts of brown algea to a full scale pea green water problem. Of course the fish didn't much care, but I couldn't see them through the water. :laugh: :D
 
They do make compact flourescent bulbs in the "aquarium" spectrum. Wal-Mart sells them for $5 apiece.
 
There was no documentation with my lights. Now can I use different wattage bulbs or do I have to use the exact same wattage bulb that came in them?
 
PooCooper, Without knowing what kind of lights you have, and without knowing anything about your tank it's hard to say. All you have told us is that you have brown algea, your tank is 125 gallons, and you have 50 watts of some type of light (is it incandescent, flourescent, Metal halide,????), . In addition to that the fact still remains that unless we know something about your water parramiters, we cannot give any kind of accurate advice. Please work with us so we might be able to help you. on a tank that big, I don't think lighting should be a difficult issue. and I for one would be glad to help if I could.
Dave
 
With incandescent lamps you can use ANY lamp of equal or lesser wattage that fits into the socket. The only time you need to worry is with discharge (ballasted) lamps.
 
There should be some sort of sticker or stamp on the socket (If it is an incandescent socket). You MUST NOT exceade this max rating, unless you want a fire or a melt down, because a 100 watt light bulb gives off a lot more heat than a 25 watt does. If it is a floresent bulb there should be a balast some where and it to should have a rating on it on how many watts it can handle.

(By the way I solved my brown alge by adding more light):D
 
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