MH today or tomorrow ?

[Saltysteve]

Need to know how to swap lighting system properly so I won't hurt my animals?

I am currently running 4x65 Watt PC lighting, 2 10k and 2 Act
I will be switching to a 250watt 14k Hamilton.

Any input would be helpful and appreciated!

Steve

[Aquattro]

I would put the MH on a timer and have it go on and off every hour for a day. Then slowly reduced the off period while increasing the on period. Do this over 7 to 10 days.

[Chin_Lee]

salty
put the lights on about 18" above the water surface and slowly bring it down 1-2 inches per day with the same photoperiod. if you have access to a lux meter, set the height of the mh to have the same light intensity as your previous setup and then bring it down slowly from there.

[StirCrazy]

Chin Lee's Idea will work but there is a lot of work involved and also depends on if you can move you lights. the way I will recomend is what Brad said, get an electronic timer for your lights that will allow multiple timings (about 20.00) and do on/off every hour for 2 or 3 days, then switch to on 1.25 hours off .75 hour for 2 or 3 days, then on for 1.5 hours off for .5 hour for another 2 or 3 days then finaly on all day.

Steve

[Saltysteve]

Thanks all,
so timer set to run on then off. It takes about (I have not timed it yet) 3 to 5 minutes before I see what could be full light. How long exactly should I set the timer for, for the begining stage? Should they be set for say 3 minutes of full light then off or ????

Many thanks1

[Aquattro]

no, I'd do probably 30 to 45 minutes on, then off for an hour. Next day do on for an hour, off for an hour. Next day, same. Day after ,increase on, decrease off. Do this for another 5-7 days, you should be fine.

[Saltysteve]

Perfect,thanks
The only timer I could find is on for 30 minutes or 45 minutes every hour.
Could not find one for less than the 30 minutes.

Hoping to start this cycle tonight :)


Thanks again

[StirCrazy]

Perfect,thanks
The only timer I could find is on for 30 minutes or 45 minutes every hour.
Could not find one for less than the 30 minutes.

Hoping to start this cycle tonight :)


Thanks again

you need to be able to be on for 1 hour min then more, and your off time gets decreased.

on at say 8am, off at 9:00am, on at 10am, off at 11:00am, on at 12pm, off at 1:00pm, on at 2pm, off at 3:00pm, on at 4pm, off at 5:00 pm, on at 6pm, off at 7:00pm then let that run for 3 days next

on at say 8am, off at 9:15am, on at 10am, off at 11:15am, on at 12pm, off at 1:15pm, on at 2pm, off at 3:15pm, on at 4pm, off at 5:15 pm, on at 6pm, off at 7:15 pm then let that run for 3 days next

on at say 8am, off at 9:30am, on at 10am, off at 11:30am, on at 12pm, off at 1:30pm, on at 2pm, off at 3:30pm, on at 4pm, off at 5:30 pm, on at 6pm, off at 7:30 pm then let that run for 3 days next

on at say 8am, off at 9:45am, on at 10am, off at 11:45am, on at 12pm, off at 1:45pm, on at 2pm, off at 3:45pm, on at 4pm, off at 5:45 pm, on at 6pm, off at 7:45 pm then let that run for 3 days next

then on as normal

[Aquattro]

A basic timer at Canadian Tire has the option to set it in minute or so increments with the little green and red tabs.

[Saltysteve]

I found a timer that is going to work for what I need. I have it set up right now for on 1/2 hour and off for 1 hour etc, multiple setting outdoor timer etc

I'll probably wait now till tomorrow before I set it all up. Give the clear coat time to dry. Still feels a bit tacky :cry:


Exciting !

[Saltysteve]

I have MH over my tank now and love it but, it's not enough. I wonder if I can lower the bulb any without heating the water. I am about 12 inches from the top of the water to the bottom of the bulb!

I can see having two bulbs though either way!
What a difference :eek:


http://rcpilot.users.sunwave.net/metalday1.jpg

[Aquattro]

You could probably go a few inches closer without too much increase in heat.

[Saltysteve]

Thanks Brad, will try it!

[pinner_28]

looks great Steve a few more inches shouldn't make any difference if you find any just put in a 6" fan to suck out the extra heat i have two on my 90gal with my 250 watts about 7" above the water with a piece of glass for splashing.
Terry