Did I increase my intensity to fast?

I recently replaced my old 110watt PC unit with a 16" reefbreeders photon series on my 38 gallon. I have been taking my time ramping up the intensity, and have had it on 24% on both channels for about a month now. About two days ago I bumped it up to 27% on full intensity, and now none of my corals have the extension they did at 24%, did I jump it up too fast? They are all almost fully retracted. My levels are all good too, just tested them all. The only thing that was a little was was my alk, which was at 7

 

I don't think it's the light. It's possibly ALK or something else.

If indeed you were slowly ramping up with no adverse effect, bumping from 24 to 27% should not have done that.

On top of that, for SPS corals, too much light typically results in loss of coloration and bleaching at the tips/top (not base of the coral).

I'd check the rest of your params and fix ALK quickly but gradually over the course of few days.

What kind of corals do you have?

 

Mostly Lps, my Duncan's frogspawn and torch have all been very closed up since I changed the lights. I only have two sps at the moment, a Monti cap and a frag of an acro that I can't remember the name of, but they both seem to be enjoying the light. Duncan's and frogspawn are at mid-tank

 

I have very little experience with LPS, so ill have to sit back on this one. But I guess it could be the light.

I know that when I had too much light for my shrooms and zoas, they definitely shrunk and did not want to open, until I moved them into more shaded area.

 

Hmm. I'll take a look when I get home and see what they look like, but my shrooms and zoas didn't seem too affected. I'll have to start dosing the soda ash I got too for alk

 

no, there's no chance 24 to 27 should do that.... i've done over 10% jumps and everything took it fine.

 

That's what I thought, it's why I was so surprised by their reaction. I'll test everything again when I get home, and start boosting my alk