new bulbs/ballasts

[Ruth]

You can see a bit of difference in the photos but like you said it's not all that noticable although I am sure it is in "real life".
I don't know if you have to acclimate the corals but I know when I put new bulbs in I usually cut down my light period by about 2 hours (1 hour on either end) just to be on the safe side and watch closely.
I would keep and eye on things and if it looks like they are stressing or starting to bleach maybe get some screening, cut back on the photo-period, or move the lights up or the corals down. Just MO
That's a drag getting laid off - hopefully just till the new fiscal and new budget.