Changing lighting

[Gools]

I was thinking about changing my halides from 175 to 400w. How would I go about doing this? Do I just start them up for a coule of hours a day for a while and gradually increase the time? And do I have to put my corals at the bottom of the tank, and then bring them back up over time? Thank

[DOO-E]

This si what i would do. It all depends on how many bulbs you have so put one 400 into a socket then gradually increase the time it is on. Once it is on as much as your current one then switch over the smaller bubl and do the same.

[Doug]

What 400,s are you thinking of using?

We had a couple of good threads on here regarding that. There are several ways of ramping up. One thats seems popular is 4hrs. on and 1 off. Seems thats some type of limit before bleaching. I assume its done for several weeks. I would have to go find the threads on RC for more info.

I know the current TOTM there was switched from vho to 400w Radiums. He ran the vho most of the day and the Radiums for a small period of time. I believe he ramped up the 400,s a but more each day for at least a month.

Another way is to have the hood on a cable system, starting high up and coming down lower a bit at a time. That one never worked for me, :rolleyes: but I know others have used it.

Which ever way its done, be very careful and yours corals should be fine. Get in a hurry and its bleach city.

[Gools]

I'm thinking of getting some XM's. But have not decided which yet, the 10000K or the 20000K. I have to do some research on different lighting schemes.

[StirCrazy]

Ok getting away from gradually increasing the on time and such, the way that I have used is to get a digital timer that you can set 8 or more on/off time on it. what you do is set it to go on for 1 hour then off for 1 hour, and repeat for the normal lighting period. so for me I would have it go one and off 5 times for a total of 10 hours.

then after 4 days you adjust it to on for 1:15, off for 0:45, ect for the lighting period, then after another 4 day on for 1:30, off for 0:30 and so on.. then another 4 days and on for 1:45, off for 0:15 and so on. then after 4 days just on :mrgreen:

I have done this 3 or 4 times now and others have as well and I have not heard of a bad result yet.

Steve