The following is the lighting acclimation procedure recommended for all corals.
After shipping it is not uncommon for the color of the coral to fade, as the specimen is still adjusting to your aquarium. Once you receive your coral, we recommend acclimating the new item to the lighting in your personal aquarium. We suggest keeping the lights off for the first 10 hours after being placed into the aquarium. On the second day we suggest turning you’re lighting on for only half the normal amount of your photoperiod. (You may realize even better results by using half-light for the entire first week.) Each day (or week, for the slowest method,) thereafter increase the time by an additional hour until you are back to your regular time. Light acclimation for corals is a slow process and can take up to a few months. Your patience will be rewarded when your corals are allowed to reach their full potential of beautiful, vibrant colors.
It is also a good idea to place new corals to the bottom of your aquarium. If you employ metal halide lights you may wish to place some sort of screening material above your coral during the first few weeks. The screen could be egg crate light paneling or fiberglass mesh. Once the coral displays full coloration and appears to be fully expanded, you may then slowly inch the coral to it's preferred location over the next month or so.
Following this guide will reduce the risk of light shock to your new corals and will help ensure your corals safe adjustment to their new home. Though proper light acclimation is a slow process, it can be the difference between a home reef that simply sustains and one that thrives for years to come.
We hope this answers any questions anyone may have in regards to light acclimation!
Jessica H.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith
