SPS becoming pale (bleaching) and hair algae

[landon]

A couple weeks ago I noticed some hair algae on my power heads. While it does not seem to be growing on the LR, it continues to go very fast on my power heads. A few days after this began, I noticed that my SPS began getting paler (is that a word?) from day to day BUT growing great and polyp extension. The only thing that I have done was change my reflectors. I went from two 400W bulbs on simple half pip aluminum reflects to two LumenMax Elite reflectors. It seems to have began after this change but the bulbs are not new and I doubt this could be the issue.

My parameters are as follows:

PH - 8.00-8.23 (right now)
KH - 7
Mag - 1450
Calcium - 425
Phosphate - <.25 (have to use API since I ran out of the good stuff)

Can I please get some feedback as to what may be causing this? excess nutrients?

 

[dawgface]

changing DYI to LumenMax reflectors has often been comparable to changing from a 250w to a 400w bulb. You may want to reduce the photo period for a bit.

 

[landon]

Wow. didn't realize that. Could that also explain the hair algae by chance.

 

[dawgface]

Absolutely.

 

[landon]

Great. I appreciate you're help. I'll reduce the lights to 4 hrs from 6 hrs.