MH acclimitization

[jlazo]

I am going to add a 174 10,000k MH to my 20l. I currently have 4 28watt PC's. I have some mushrooms, a few leathers, poylps, trumpet,etc. How should I add the MH, a few hours a day, slowly increasing to 8-10hours? I have 2 28watt actinics. Should I move all of the coral to the sandbed and slowly move them up? Thanks!

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Jeffrey
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[Ninong]

Originally posted by jlazo:

How should I add the MH, a few hours a day, slowly increasing to 8-10hours?

It would be better if you could spread the photoadaptation process over a period of at least a few weeks, perhaps 5 or 6 at a minimum. The best way to introduce metal halide to octocorals that are presently adapted to much lower light levels, would be to have the metal halide lamp positioned higher above the tank than normal.

Your goal is to have as little difference as possible in the overall intensity when you make the change and then gradually increase over a period of weeks, not days.

Good luck,

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]



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Irrational Exuberance!

[David Grigor]

I agree with Ninong. If you using suspended canopy simply raise the chain. Using a canopy sit a couple of 2X4s between the canopy and the tank and gradually lower.

Leaving lights on only a few hours is not advisable. When I upgraded from 175 to 400s I took that advise and cause more problems because light cycle wasn't long enough.