250w to 400w

[snowy85]

i am current on 250w pheonix, but am thinking of changing over to a 12k reeflux 400w.
my tank has a depth of 2ft.

will my corals start bleaching?
is there a proper way to acclimatise them to the new lightings?

thanks in advance. =)

 

[Fig]

Whats your issue with 250's? Growth,color?

 

[Nate R]

most just throw light diffuser (egg crate) over the tank for a week or so after the change over.

But IMO i think sps high in your tank WILL dull in color a bit because i think your old Phoenix bulbs will produce better coral color at that distance than the 400w reeflux

 

[t4zalews]

Im curious about the switch as well..I just downgraded from 400w to 250w and have seen no ill effects.

 

[surfjeepzx]

Whats your issue with 250's? Growth,color?

Both, I'm going back to 250's from 400's. I'm just not that impressed with the 400's and radiums.

 

[reefionary]

well there is a difference from 250 to 400 and from 400 to 250.

if you upgrade from 250 to 400, you might want to cut down your photo period (Reg lighting schedule) and then gradually increase back to your normal desire hours.
let say you have your lights on for 6 hours aday, I would cut it down to 3 or 3 1/2 hrs. and then increase to 4 after 2 days and so on until it back to your normal lighting hrs.


but if you downgrade from 400 to 250, then that is okay. but you may noticed some changes in color and the grow as well in some corals

 

[snowy85]

i love the 250's colour but i just cant get enough light to the bottom of the tank.

corals on the top 1/2 r doing fine. but below that they are kinda brown.

 

[Tater11]

i have a 220gal 30"deep always have used 250s plenty of light on the bottom.what reflectors are you using? that makes a huge difference.

 

[snowy85]

i have a 220gal 30"deep always have used 250s plenty of light on the bottom.what reflectors are you using? that makes a huge difference.

i am using this lightings.

http://www.delightings.com/index.cfm?GPID=16

 

[Tater11]

wow.nerver seen those before they look nice.how do you know you're not getting enough light on the bottom?

 

[snowy85]

2 pieces of the same coral. i place one on the sand bed and one in the top half of the tank.

the one at the bottom is not as "bright" as the one on top. its actually even brownish.

 

[Tater11]

ok here's what's going on.most everyone including myself has this happen.this is the corals way of telling you what it likes.(i know sounds corny)if it looks better up high then try and keep it up there in that area.i have to do this alot.slowly move them around till you find the sweet spot for that coral.this may take several week if not longer but imo it's worth it.(sometimes)

 

[snowy85]

the only problem now is that i kept this piece on the sandbed coz its a big table. too high it takes up too much real estate. prolly gotta frag it. if thats the only way >.<