How long does a XM 20K Last?

dough · 11-15-2003, 07:06 PM

I changed out my 175 10K Ushio for a 20K XM, and was very pleased with it. That was 3 months ago as of today. Cleaning my tank out I have noticed that my SPS's are loosing color and I am getting brown algea growing on the glass, some red algea and more and more hair algea. I am even getting some coral bleaching. I do water changes every 2-3 weeks.

I also switched replaced my PC 03 about 2 months ago.

Anyway I am wondering if the XM is starting to fade. I have never had this kind of problems in the past.

Does anybody have long erm experience with XM's? Or what do you think is going on.

Thanks,

Doug

mikeMersot · 11-15-2003, 08:14 PM

the bulbs should not be going out after 3 months, I have had mine for about that long and they are fine, I have seen bulbs set up for a lot longer that are still going strong.

Considering all the algae blooms perhaps there is a problem with the water, what are you paramaters currently? Personally I would not attribute this to lights.

dough · 11-15-2003, 08:22 PM

I forgot to buy a phoshate and nitrate test kit.

Ph 8.2
Alk 5.3 or 3 depending which test kit
Ca a little low at 300

Okay maybe the lights are not contributing to the alge but what about color change in my colors?

Geoff · 11-15-2003, 10:17 PM

your low Ca levels. the bright colours are only on the new growth of the corals. if the growth is slowed or stopped than the colour will go away.

G~

Toadfish · 11-16-2003, 12:18 AM

Color is also highly dependent upon Alkalinity...The minnimum should be 7 DKH with 10-12 being optimal. Also the fact that you have gone from 10K to 20K is a decrease in intensity. This coupled with the low alk is your problem.