halide upgrade-need help!

[michika]

For starters hang your new 400w bulb higher, say 10". You can slowly over time adjust it lower. You can also try multiple layers of mesh and remove one layer at a time over the course of a few weeks.

[bv_reefer]

so you think that by hanging it about 10''-12'' from the surface, my corals won't bleach? is hanging it high enough or will i have to put layers of eggcrate or mesh too?

[michika]

You may want to do both, and you can also consider reducing your photoperiod.

[bv_reefer]

my photoperiod is currently 12 hours, from noon to mid-night, so i think i'll start by hanging it 12'' abover water surface, couple layers of eggcrate, and reducing photoperiod to 8 hours to start, thanks again

[Reefer Rob]

8 hours of 400W is a lot of light (especially for a 33 gal). I think that should be your max! You might get away with more with a 14K or 20K bulb. I would start with 4 hours or less and work up slowly. Keep a close eye on your corals, and be ready to dial it back if you see any distress. Do you have a chiller?

[bv_reefer]

no i don't have a chiller but i'll keep the bulb at 12'' above the surface to reduce the heat, and i guess turn the heater down a bit if that helps

[Drock169]

400 seems overkill to me, I wouldnt have gone with more than a 250. But I agree with everyone else, increase height from surface, reduce photoperiod, and use a higher K bulb.