Cheap lighting HQI... to good to be true?

[ScubaSteve]

Originally Posted by arash53

Quick question :

I want to order 24" 346W Metal Halide System Advance Plus for my RedSea MAX 34Gallon is it over kill ?

1x Odyssea 250W DE HQI Bulb 15000K

4x Odyssea 24W T5 High Output Bulb Actinic Blue

4x Dual Bluemoon LED


Thanks

Nah dude, I think you're fine. I have 380W (250W HQI + actinics) over my 40G and everything is happy as... well... a clam (or whatever you could consider the general level of happiness of SPS). And my light is only 4" or so from the water... whatever the stock legs give you. Take 'er easy when upgrading and be very sure to light acclimate slowly. Do it over the course of several weeks until you find that sweet spot.

[arash53]

Thanks I will order it today , could you tell me how should I acclimate the new lighting system ?
and you dont have chiller do you?

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by arash53

Thanks I will order it today , could you tell me how should I acclimate the new lighting system ?
and you dont have chiller do you?

I just went through new light acclimatisation on my 36" long 65 Gal. I have SPS dominated tank. The fixture is 2x250W HQI+4x39W t5+night led's.
Some one recommended and i followed this and it worked.
However it took more then few weeks to get top sitting corals get used to the new light.
At any rate the schedule was as follows:

15 min ON 45 Min OFF for week 1
30 min ON 30 Min OFF for week 2
same for week 3
45 ON 15 OFF week 4
same for week 5
Full time on after that.

Right now i have it 4hrs on 2hrs off and another 4hrs on just to keep water temp down. I used to have 6xT5 TEK light and now with 2x250W water temp is 2-3 degrees C higher. When Temp is up it is important to keep an eye on the ORP. Its OK to have elevated water temp as long as ORP is up. This could be a challenge if you don't have a sump with a bubble tower and/or a second skimmer.

[arash53]

Thank you , what about the blue T5s could I have them ON from 9am to 10pm from start?

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by arash53

Thank you , what about the blue T5s could I have them ON from 9am to 10pm from start?

Yes you are safe to have actinics ON 8-9 hrs a day.

[The Grizz]

Had a brain fart on this one, I have a DUAL 250w MH with PC's over a temp 30 gal, it is a couple feet above the tank but all the frags in the tank are looking great. I would say go for it.

[arash53]

Ordered , I would appreciate if someone could refer me to an article or thread about new lighting system acclimation .

Thanks