Changing Bulbs - lighting acclimation

[neilanh]

So, it's time for new MH bulbs. I'm switching from the Reeflux 12000K bulbs to the Iwasaki 15000k bulbs (both 175W).

I know how much more PAR the iwasakis are gonna put out (hence why I wanted to try them), so I know that I'm going to need to reacclimate the tank to the lighting.

Currently, I run my MHs 8 hours per day. How low should I drop that down when I install the new bulbs, and how quickly/slowly should I increase the duration afterwards?

I was thinking of dropping down to 5 hours initially, then increasing it by an hour per week. Is that toooooo slow/overkill?

 

[thincat]

Sorry neilanh, idk..but taking longer to aclimate I guess would be better than to fast. imo

 

[ccCapt]

When I switched to Iwasaki's, I cut my MH lights down to 5 hrs. and increased that by about 1/2 hr every 3-4 days till I was back up to 8 hrs/day.
You are going to love those bulbs....unless you like a really blue looking tank, which you won't get from the Iwasaki's.

 

[neilanh]

Thanks Larry. The Reeflux 12Ks are too blue for me, but I know from my research that they do, for whatever reason, exhibit higher levels of visible blue light than other bulbs rated around the same K rating.

I can add "blue" with actinic supplementation. What I'm hoping to find is a crisp white color from these bulbs, and increased PAR - both of which I'm expecting to see based on my research.

Thanks for the advice on the acclimation, I don't want to cook my corals while I make this change.

 

[ccCapt]

Make sure to take before and after pics. The difference will be amazing.
Next thing you got to do is upgrade your reflectors.

 

[neilanh]

Definately before/after shots, and probably even a 1:1 shot with one of each bulb in there.

Reflectors - tell me about it. My reflectors are horrible. However, because of the way I built the canopy, there's nothing else really I can do.

Perhaps I need a winter project of building a better one.

 

[ccCapt]

That would be cool with 1 of each bulb running at the same time.
I was using the same reflector you have and made my own DIY Lumenarcs. They are 14.5 x 14.5 x 6...not really much bigger than the parallel reflectors.

 

[neilanh]

My problem is my canopy is only 10" tall, so I can't afford to lose much room, else I limit my ability to reach in the tank.