Questions about new light

[scholls22]

I just ordered my first relacement metal halide. Do I need to cut back the hours of running time when I first install it? I was just figuring that everything has been under the same light for three months and maybe it would be brighter...

Thanks!

 

[Jarret]

Not necessarily the hours that it runs but more along the lines of the distance of the light to the tank. Even if you were to reduce it to 2 hours per day (not recommended) it would still be pushing out just as much light onto the corals and possibly stressing them out.

Curious, you said the old light was three months old? Why are you replacing it right now, MH can usually go up to 6 months before replacement is needed.

 

[scholls22]

I bought it as a second hand tank and i think the light was about 3-4 months old when I got it.

I cant change the distance, its a nanocube with an HQI lid.

 

[scholls22]

Can anyone else throw in their two pennies?

 

[Jarret]

Not too familiar with the setup on a nanocube but I've read other threads where people use screen type material to help block some of the light as well as pieces of acrylic.

Essentially you just place the material in between the light itself and whatever corals you are trying to protect.