LPS's and MH Lights

[killagoby]

I have a 29 gallon tank with mostly LPS's, (blastos, acans, brains, cynaria, bubble, hammer coral) plus a few Zoos and Mushrooms. Currently I have Coralife's 130w PC fixture on the tank. I am switching over to a 150w 14,000K HQI MH which will rest about 2 inches over the water. The corals start at about 6 inches below the surface of the water, down to the bottom of the tank . Any suggestions for success? I know most LPS's dont like intense light, but I've heard I can acclimate them to it. Most of them came from stores w/ MH lighting.

 

[All Delight]

I used egg crate to acclimate when I changed to MH.

 

[sivert55]

I switched my nano over from PCs to 150w MH 14k about 1 1/2" off the water, and mine didn't even flinch.

 

[Justin74]

The particular switch your making is not too significant enough to warrant major concern of light acclimation. If you were switchen to 250's that'd be a different story, but 130 PC to 150DE MH is not too major at all. If anything there just patiently waiting for it


-Justin

 

[killagoby]

Great to know guys. Thanks for the input.

 

[DaBenzsta08]

nice to hear since im in the same situation for this week actually.

 

[killagoby]

I got my 150w SunPod today. So far, so good. The white and blue LEDs are key...

 

[Tyke]

Keep an eye on the blastos, they can be really fussy about light.

 

[killagoby]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9614782#post9614782 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tyke
Keep an eye on the blastos, they can be really fussy about light.

Thanks man, I will. They are at the bottom of the tank and so far they are doing good. I only switched from 130w PC's to 150w 14k MH's. Most people I spoke to said it would not make much of a difference running the MH's 6 hours a day. Here's a few shots of the blastos after day 2.

 

[killagoby]

The lights have been running for 8 hours a day for about a month now with no ill effects. In fact, most of my LPS's are coloring up and feeding more. Even the Blastos.

 

[Caleb Kruse]

Thanks for the update on how your coral are doing. I am thinking about making the switch from VHO to MH but didn't know how all my LPS would like it.

 

[lfduty]

nice pic's man i love your tank

 

[Justin74]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9815818#post9815818 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by killagoby
The lights have been running for 8 hours a day for about a month now with no ill effects. In fact, most of my LPS's are coloring up and feeding more. Even the Blastos.

:thumbsup:
Thanks for the update, great thread for those considering the leap to something a lil more serious.


-Justin

 

[killagoby]

Thanks guys! It was well worth the switch. This is the fixture I am using.

 

[elegance coral]

I would run the MH for a while then slowly add the PC lighting back to the tank. Thats just what I would do.

 

[killagoby]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9829165#post9829165 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elegance coral
I would run the MH for a while then slowly add the PC lighting back to the tank. Thats just what I would do.

I wouldn't be able to fit both fixtures on top of the tank. It's only a 29 gallon.

 

[killagoby]

I just added 4 SPS corals to the tank the other day and they are doing great. I have 5 more coming to me in the mail today.