Switching Lights . . . Best way to do it?

jorjef · #1 10-10-2012, 05:15 PM

I started with 2x48" T5's on a tank that is if I remember right 20-22" deep (77 gallon) and went to 2x AI Super blue's 8" off the water at 50-65 percent 50 being white and 65 the blue... My tank is 99 percent LPS and no problems. I haven't increased intensity a whole lot since then (close to a year now) I did once and things weren't happy. They might have adjusted and been fine but i went with the ' if its not broke don't fix it' and set back to around the original setting... Too much at stake and too chicken...

I think two lights with your tank depth at 100 percent would nuke your LPS

Enigma · #2 10-10-2012, 05:23 PM

That would have been 108W of T5s? How high was your T5 fixture mounted above your tank? Did you leave the length of your light cycle the same?

Based on what you've indicated so far, I'm pretty sure I could start at 50 percent with the lights in the position I wanted them.

jorjef · #3 10-10-2012, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enigma

That would have been 108W of T5s? How high was your T5 fixture mounted above your tank? Did you leave the length of your light cycle the same?

Sounds right on the 108, about 4 inches and if I remember correct I left the cycle the same, about 10 hours with a 30 minute ramp at beginning and end. Didn't get fancy with multiply ramps.

Enigma · #4 10-10-2012, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorjef

Sounds right on the 108, about 4 inches and if I remember correct I left the cycle the same, about 10 hours with a 30 minute ramp at beginning and end. Didn't get fancy with multiply ramps.

Thanks! This gives me a good idea what direction to go with it.

I'll get them hung before the weekend, but won't actually operate them until the weekend. That way I can watch for negative reactions from the livestock.

jorjef · #5 10-10-2012, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enigma

Thanks! This gives me a good idea what direction to go with it.

I'll get them hung before the weekend, but won't actually operate them until the weekend. That way I can watch for negative reactions from the livestock.

Don't get freaked out if at 50% it looks way too dark.. It's a different type of light. It took me a day or two to adjust to the difference.

Enigma · #6 10-10-2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorjef

Don't get freaked out if at 50% it looks way too dark.. It's a different type of light. It took me a day or two to adjust to the difference.

Good to know . . . thank you.

I probably would freak and crank it up.

jorjef · #7 10-10-2012, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enigma

Good to know . . . thank you.

I probably would freak and crank it up.

Ya I was cursing when I first set them up. I couldn't believe how two piddly T'5s could look brighter. Somehow a persons eyes get tricked, at least for me. I just ignored it at let the corals tell me if they wanted more or less light.