T5 HO/ NO bulb change

Anyone know what happens when you put Normal Output T5 bulbs in a T5 High Output fixture? I suspect they will burn out. I have found that two T5 bulbs are too much light for the amount of CO2 generated in my tanks.
I use the Walstad method.
I am having some intense algae issues in some of my tanks.
I have removed one bulb from my fixtures, so they only have one bulb. The plants seem to be doing fine and the algae is decreased. The reflectors are individual for each bulb, so I would prefer to have two bulbs to have broader light coverage.
I intend to convert these to LED eventually, but it will be gradual and take some time.

What kind of algae?

Edit: I realized it might be hard to answer that question. Here is a photo ID guide, scroll down on this page: http://www.aquahobby...water_algae.php

Edited by EricaWieser, 08 November 2011 - 07:42 AM.

What kind of algae?

Edit: I realized it might be hard to answer that question. Here is a photo ID guide, scroll down on this page: http://www.aquahobby...water_algae.php

Well it could be hair, thread or cladophora algae. It seems to be an issue in tanks that I used clay in the substrate and that clay was dug up by burrowing fish. I believe excess iron combined with bright light is causing the issue. I cannot keep up with the removal of it.

How about NO lights in a HO fixture, know anything about that?
Thanks!

Ah, cladophora. I had the darnedest time with cladophora for a long, long time. Have you tried using an algaecide, like Tetra Pond Algae Clear®? I used that once and it dissolved the cladophora. But I guess I didn't use it strong enough, or maybe the dissolved bits weren't completely 100% removed, because it came back. And it came back more resistant to the algaecide.

I don't think it's your lights. I think it's because cladophora is just a very effective algae. It grows well in aquariums. I tried everything, and ended up just not taking my plants with me when I moved. I bought all new trimmings, and put them in fresh substrate when I set up the tank in the new location. That's what finally cured the tank of its cladophora infestation.

Edit:
I figured I should add a photo of the amount of cladophora that a low level of light can grow. http://img.photobuck.../018cropped.jpg
Video: youtube.com/watch?v=8y8b9lxctMc
That's with those cheesy stupid lights that come with the tank, and the fact that the tank was in front of a window. Normal plants died, but once they were gone the cladophora grew five inches thick.
If you can find any photos of Lake Akan underwater, you can see that cladophora can grow in conditions no plant can.

Edited by EricaWieser, 08 November 2011 - 06:57 PM.

I have researched this question myself, since I have a T5 HO fixture. Surprisingly, I haven't found a whole lot of conclusive info on the subject. But, based on what I have read, it would be safer to replace the ballasts with standard T5 ballasts if you want to run standard T5 bulbs, because the T5 HO ballasts will be overdriving the standard bulbs.

I have researched this question myself, since I have a T5 HO fixture. Surprisingly, I haven't found a whole lot of conclusive info on the subject. But, based on what I have read, it would be safer to replace the ballasts with standard T5 ballasts if you want to run standard T5 bulbs, because the T5 HO ballasts will be overdriving the standard bulbs.

That's what I thought. Have had no luck finding T5 ballasts locally. Guess I'll have to order if I decide to go that route.

Fulham Workhorse ballasts are excellent; there are different models for PC twin-tube, T5 High Output, T5 Normal, etc. The ballast specs on Fulham's website lists types & number of bulbs each ballast is good for. AH Suppy sells them if you cant get em in stores. Fulham only sells case loads I think.