new bulb acclimation

[UFreefer]

Well i think my 250w hamilton 14k is already taking a crap on me after only 7 months. Since i'm not running any supplementation actinics, and i've heard so many good things about the reeflux bulbs, i think i'm gonna give the 12k coralvue reeflux a shot. I like the color of the hamilton but all of my corals seem real pale but all are healthy. I'm not sure whether its the bulb or just because its such a low nutrient tank.
My question is how much acclimation should i have to do when switching over.

This is on my prop tank (30g) and the bulb is 6 inches above the water. Most of my frags are on eggcrate racks so the coral's tips are only about 3 inches from the surface.
My current light period is 8 hrs.

 

[UFreefer]

anyone? Should i use the screen method? or just cut back the lighting period?

 

[chadfarmer]

to be honest with you i would do the screen method just to be shur that close to bulb

 

[fishdoc11]

I cut back the photoperiod when I change but IMO the screen or some combination would be safer. Allways better safe than sorry with a bulb change.

 

[DMK]

i cut back time and use eggcrate when using new bulbs or adding corals, etc., which come from a lower lit system.