Will a Higher watt MH bulb lead to more algae

[110galreef]

Basically I have a 110 gallon tank 24" deep with 2-175w MH and 2- 110w VHO's. All has been well and all seem happy. Bulbs are about due for a replacement though. Do I step up to 250w bulbs and ballast?? I however don't want to be dealing with cleaning issues as this tank is in my office. I have never had an algae problem and the only maintenece is removing the film that grow on the acrylic that the snails miss and small brown/red dots that appear after about two weeks as well.

So will the Higher Wattt MH lead to more cleaning and maintenece?

Basically since everything is fine i figure if it's not broke don't fix it. However, I would assume that 250w MH will look better and be better for the corals (mostly softies and LPS...want to get a few SPS and clam.) Or just keep the 175w.

[VWD]

I am one that think that will only be a problem if You water Quality is not up to par. I Do get a small outbreak when I upgrade lighting for a short time then it all goes back to normal. If You have a stable tank now, no algae the lights won't give you algae.
I'm sure allot of people may think different, Thats just me.

[110galreef]

Thanks

Anyone else?

[motorslave]

Dont think it should be an issue as long as the phosphates arent there!

Robert

[reef_noob]

You may se a bit more, but unless your condition are right on the edge of a bloom, lighting shouldn't be thetriggering factor in a bloom. I suspect a bigger problem may be shocking your corals with too much light too soon. Be sure to slowly acclimate your corals to the new intensity.

[110galreef]

Well everytime I check phosphates it's 0, nitrates ~5, ammonia 0. Been like this for three years straight. If I ever have a water issue it is with Nitrates creeping above 10. But I am going to be loosing Bio Balls so that should solve any issue there. Temp is always between 77-79 chiller/heater and my current light cycle is VHO's 8:30-7:30 (11 hrs) and MH 9:00-6:00 (9hrs) and no issues other than film on acrylic weekly that is cleaned with mag float. Never had an algae problem in three years.

[wharyat]

I agree with the others, algae will only be there if it has something else, as in nutrients, to feed on.

[yardboy]

Algae will grow under a normal output fluorescent. Light isn't the limiting factor, phosphate is.

[Loverotties]

If you have problems with water quality in will magnify it.

[110galreef]

OK...Got it,but if I never have or had algae problems I should be fine.

How about the film that forms on the acrylic or the red/brown dots that form every week or two. Film weekly removal with mag-float and spots every week-two weeks withg algae scrubber pad in hand. Is this normal and will it increase because of more light? This is my concern, not algae per say in the tank or on the rock.

Thanks, Just want maintenece as simple as possible. Tank not at home!

[yardboy]

The red//brown dots are corraline algae, which do not like as much light as some things, and not only tend to grow in low-light areas but may decline on the glass because of the increased intensity.

[110galreef]

SWEET....400's i mean....er ah 250's heer I come!