PC to MH...how will it affect my Zoa's?

[Kaos]

I"ve got a 96w quad (50/50) on my 10gal. now. I found a great deal on a couple of IC 175w MH setups so I bought them. I'm going to take one of the 175w MH's and put it on my 10gal. Allot of the Zoa. tanks I've seen have MH lighting and the Zoa's seem much more colorful then mine do (their not bad but just don't have that pop).

So, has anyone else switched from PC's to MH on a tank w/ Zoa's before? Did you notice much of a color difference? I know flow also affects them but I'm just curious to hear what changing the lights alone has done. TIA.

 

[nUgZ]

The change in lighting will definitely make them morph. Some may morph for the better and some for the worse.

 

[edwing206]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1112865
Sorry don't have a pic of how they used to look, they were brown with no pattern.
Just be sure acclimate them to the light. Let's see some pics when it's all changed.
Good luck.

 

[ReefFiend]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9879188#post9879188 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edwing206
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1112865
Sorry don't have a pic of how they used to look, they were brown with no pattern.
Just be sure acclimate them to the light. Let's see some pics when it's all changed.
Good luck.

Also try to get some good before pics from similar angles as the after that would be cool to see after a couple months of them acclimating. Good luck on the upgrade.

 

[DJChesnutRabbit]

Don't forget to aclimate your tank to the new lights. When I went from T5 to MH, I did it over a couple months keeping them high off the water and gradualy lowering them an inch at a time.

 

[Kaos]

Thanks for the feedback. Hopefully the new lights will intensify their colors. The MH's will be in a pendant so I will start them high and then gradually lower them to where I want them.

 

[mfinn]

You should see a big difference in color.
I would suggest using a 14k to a 20k bulb for best color results.
Also you do have to acclimate them to the new light.
Try using 4-5 layers of window screen material, removing a layer ever 4-5 days. You can use eggcrate to support the screen.

A 175w mh on a 10 gallon tank is going to heat the water up pretty fast. Be prepared to add a fan for cooling.