Upgrading to MH

Well, I finally bought some MH lights. I picked up two Coralife 150W 14,000K double ended, clamp mount lights.

I'm waiting for my new canopy before I install them, my current one isn't high enough. I should have the new one tomorrow and then I can install.

I just want to double check and make sure that my light acclimation procedure is correct.

I am changing out my current bulbs on my PC lighting with Actinics.

The bulbs I am replacing are:

(2) 65 Watt 10,000 K with (2) 65 Watt 420 Actinic
(1) 96 Watt 50/50 with (1) 96 Watt 420 Actinic

The PC lights that will remain are (2) 65 Watt 420/460


Here is the plan:

Day 1 - MH 10 minutes
Day 2 - MH 12 M - Swap out 96 Watt PC
Day 3 - MH 14 M
Day 4 - MH 16 M
Day 5 - MH 18 M
Day 6 - MH 20 M
Day 7 - MH 25 M
Day 8 - MH 30 M
Day 9 - MH 35 M
Day 10 - MH 40 M
Day 11 - MH 45 M
Day 12 - MH 50 M
Day 13 - MH 1 H
Day 14 - MH 1 H 20 M
Day 15 - MH 1 H 40 M
Day 16 - MH 2 H
Day 17 - MH 2 H 20 M
Day 18 - MH 2 H 40 M
Day 19 - MH 3 H
Day 20 - MH 3 H 20 M
Day 21 - MH 3 H 40 M
Day 22 - MH 4 H - Swap out both 65 Watt 10,000K PC
Day 23 - MH 4 H 20 M
Day 24 - MH 4 H 40 M
Day 25 - MH 5 H
Day 26 - MH 5 H 20 M
Day 27 - MH 5 H 40 M
Day 28 - MH 6 H
Day 29 - MH 6 H 20 M
Day 30 - MH 6 H 40 M
Day 31 - MH 7 H
Day 32 - MH 7 H 20 M
Day 33 - MH 7 H 40 M
Day 34 - MH 8 H

I will also be adjusting the light times on the PCs because of the swaps

Day 7 - Start running the 96 Watt for 9 hours from 8
Day 11 - 96 Watt to 9 H 30 M
Day 14 - 96 Watt to 10 H
Day 18 - 96 Watt to 10 H 30 M
Day 21 - 96 Watt to 11 H
Day 26 - 96 Watt to 11 H 30 M
Day 30 - 96 Watt to 12 H

Day 24 - Increase Light time of new 65W PC from 8 H to 9 H
Day 27 - 9 H 30 M
Day 30 - 10 H
Day 34 - 10 H 30 M
Day 37 - 11 H
Day 40 - 11 H 30 M
Day 43 - 12 H


Please let me know if you have any suggestions or concerns.

My tank has been up for about a year now. We have had the current lighting system for about 10 months.

Should I take longer to acclimate to the new lights?
Is this way too many changes in the lighting within the 43 days?
Should I swap out the 2 10,000K bulbs a week from each other?

 

Any suggestions? I didn't get the canopy yet, should be another day or so.

 

I wouldn't be too concerned about the acclimation process as your corals aren't too delicate as far as the lighting goes. You may want to lower you Hammer in your tank depending on where you have it situated now!
As for the lighting intensity changes, you don't have to be that extreme. I am talking hours as oppossed to minutes! Try leaving your halides on for half the time you leave them on for at the present time. Then each week or so, increase that time by an hour or so!! You are talking about 150watt bulbs, not 400w or 1000w bulbs so don't stress it too much!
Congrats on the new lights by the way...Enjoy them as I know your coral will. Any ideas or notions of buying more coral in the near future, possibly SPS'?
Best of luck with the new lights!
TOM

 

Hello, I do not personally have any experience in this matter unfortunately. However I remember reading and article which described switching your lights, and adding about 12 layers of screen over the top of your tank, and every couple of days removing one of the layers. I'm not really sure if this method is any better than what you described or not. I just wanted to share this approach, which I have read that others have used. In case you have not already read such an article. May be if nothing else, this will spark some one else to interject. Good luck.

 

Hey lookie there coral reefer just cleared it all up for us. Hot dog! Thanks coral reefer. And I was so slow, that you replied 20 min before me and I didn't even know it LOL

 

Good suggestion pshootr!!! That would also work as things such as glass, salt creep and DOM will alter the amount of light reaching your corals below.
A little tidbit of info on the subject of light intensity and the amount of light reaching your corals is adding crbon to your tank will absorb TURBIDITY, which is suspended matter that is suspended in pelagic area of your tank, obstructing the amount of light filtering down below! Air bubble, plankton, particulate organic and inorganic matter/substances will also hinder the amount of light!
Another good thing to have incorporated into your filtration system is a surface skimmer!!!!!!!This helps to eliminate the film that is commonly associated with gas exchange and suspended matter. This surface skimmer will help to clear up your waters surface along with a strong water movement at the top of your water column!

 

Well if that wasn't an explosion of information, then I do not know what is. hehe.. Thank you coral reefer. BTW you type fast as he**.

 

I have to type fast as you guys are on a roll tonight, typing up a storm! I have to get some sleep at some point tonight but you guys are awesome and have great question, making it more important than getting sleep. If I can help you guys out and make you successful and keep your livestock alive so that you get as much enjoyment out of this asI am, it is worth going to bed latter!!!hahha

 

Thanks!

I plan on using the screen method for certain corals, I think layers of wax paper will work, if it's not too hot. I will be using suspension strings for the screens.

I don't think I need a surface skimmer, my overflow takes care of all of it. If you look up at the water in my tank there is no matter.

As for my first SPS, I have no idea. I've seen about 50 or 60 that I want, so many to choose from. I've been re-aquascaping, and making more overhangs for lower light corals. I think I need about 30 more pounds of rock, before I can finish the aquascape though. I'm looking at lalo live rock.

I'm thinking of getting a Rose Bubble tip once the new lights are up too.

So many possibilities with MH. I just made some room for clams too, clams are one of the main reasons for the light upgrade, but not the only one.

 

Yeah you don't need the surface skimmer with the overflows, likewise I don't use them either. More for people who don't have a sump incorporated into their closed system!