Help with acclimation

[KDC]

Hi all!

I finally got my new light for my 90g, and I need help figuring out how to acclimate my tank to the MH. This is my first time using MH and I don't want to accidentally hurt anything in the tank. How long should I leave it on to start with and how fast should I up the time it is on?
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Lytehouse]

Did you have a light over the tank previous?

If so, corals are used to light, just not brand new bulbs.

Therefore to acclimate cut the photoperiod by 2 to 4 hours,
watch how corals respond and adjust more or less accordingly.

Increase by 30 min to an hour per week

 

[KDC]

Thanks Lynn! I had 4 T-5's over the tank and they are still there, but I got the 150w MH fixed now and wanted to start it up. I'd been running it just a couple of hours for the last few days and everyone seems to be loving it, so I'll step it up now that I've gotten your response. I hope to see you at the next meeting, now that my ankle has healed up some, I'm allowed to drive. I did see your response to my post, I just didn't have a chance to respond. No, I didn't break it chasing another snake! LOL
I broke it when we took the kids camping. To be honest, it was the very first day and I just sat around with it propped up for the next two days so I wouldn't ruin my kids first camping trip. :-D

 

[Lytehouse]

ouch...

see you 13 August

It only takes a day or soo to see coral reactions if they don't like lite

chalices receed
acans deflate
zoas/palys sit down or don't open
or begin to bleach

 

[cody6766]

You can also use window screen over the new light. Cut a few sheets and secure it between the tank and light. Remove one sheet a week until they're all gone. Sometimes that method works better than just reducing photoperiod if you're greatly increasing the light output over the tank. I use the photoperiod method if it's just a small bump or bulb change.

The screen can be bought at a hardware store in a roll for around $10.