Upgrading lighting system

[Joe Reefer]

I would start with a 5 hour or less cycle and go up from there.

[b_james]

How long before increasing the duration? few days, week?

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Also, maybe have the lights up higher for the first few days & gradually lower it.

[Ruth]

Other things that you can do is to put the light higher and slowly lower over the course of 3-4 weeks. You can also buy several sheets of window screening and put 7 or 8 layers over the top of your tank and every week take off one layer. Simply shortening the lighting schedule may not be enough given the extra intensity of the light - it will definately help but may not be enough. You may have to move your corals lower in your tank and slowly bring them up again over a 3-4 week period and at the same time increase the time the lights are on.

[b_james]

How much higher should I raise the lights? a few inches more?

[seashells]

You could also put 1 or 2 sheets of egg crate on top to filter the light.

Doug

[albert_dao]

Have you already purchased the unit? The 250 version has a lot of ballast problems.

[b_james]

Yes its on it way to me... What kind of problems?

[Joe Reefer]

Originally Posted by b_james

How long before increasing the duration? few days, week?

I would add an hour every 2 or 3 days, just watch to make sure the corals are not unhappy. When I switched from 265 watts pc to 500 watts mh my LPS corals would let me know they had enough light by shrinking up.