Monti Cap losing color?

[siskiou]

My 20H has been doing really well, but lately I've notice that the orange monti cap is getting lighter.
It's still growing just as much as ever and nothing new has been added in ages.
Parameters seem fine 0/0/5, temp 79, SG 1.025, Ca 450, alk 9.
Lighting is and always has been 130w pc, half 10000k/half actinic.
Bulbs are about 10 months old.
Could it be time to change the bulbs?

[Lowman]

what's the ph?

[siskiou]

Sorry! Forgot the pH!
It's 8.2-8.4.

[Chief]

I could be wrong but I think PC's only last about 6 months before they start losing their spectrum. I would change your lights and see if you get some color back.

Jay

[reefboy]

yea need to switch every six to eight months stuff will start to brown out and certain micro algaes will take off due to the fact your bulbs are going more to the red spectrum which they like:D

[siskiou]

Yep, thanks!

I've changed the bulbs.

BTW, where do you all get your replacement bulbs (pc) and what brand do you use?
I need to change out the 96w :: in my other fixture soon.

[reefboy]

i get mine from local shops or online usally corallife brand i presonaly dont use but clients use on smaller systems i maintain but its much less hassel if u buy from local shop because somtimes bulbs are bad so worth the little extra $ plus your supporting a local shop and if bulb is bad they replace on the spot ware as you have to ship and wait for online company to reship back i only buy online if buying large quanitys at a time.

[reefgeek84]

hellolights.com. Awesome prices and the best customer service one could dream of.

[Reefin']

if money is an issue and cant go to LFS, then check this out....ive bought retro kits and many bulbs years ago from this guy..good customer service and low cost

http://www.ahsupply.com/bulbs.htm

also has good retro kits if you were needing to replace that 2x65w that went bad.....ballast are fulham ballast same as workhorse....thats good....

[siskiou]

Thanks for all the advice!