Time for Bulb change...HELP

[kokxy]

In the past with VHO's I would just change them all at once and keep the lighting time the same. However, now with MH I am not sure I want to do this. Any suggestions, I have an SPS dominated tank with most SPS in top 1/3 of the tank. Don't want to rearrange rock work. I have 2-400W 20K radium's that I will be replacing this weekend with the same lights. My current lighting schedule is 10 hours. what should I do so that corals don't get bleached??? Thanks in advance, this is the first time I have had to change MH lights.

 

[Kip]

dont cut photoperiod... i have made that mistake before... use window screen material from lowes/home depot. use a coupla layers and week by week remove a layer. this way your photoperiod stays the same, but the intensity is gradually increased.

 

[nebraskareef]

I agree w/ kip 100% The screen is the way to go.

 

[cward]

That's a pretty good idea, I'll have to try that.

 

[Lunchbucket]

eggcrate and screening is the way to go. i started w/ 4 layers removed one about every 5-7days. i like taking it slow

works WAY better then the on/off method...believe me i've used it

Lunchbucket

 

[shelburn61]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6865623#post6865623 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kip
dont cut photoperiod... i have made that mistake before

What negative effects did you see?

 

[kokxy]

Thanks guys, I have egg crate...off to Home Depot for some pieces of screen. I knew I would find the answer here from the experts. I will leave lighting period the same but remove layer of screen every few days or so. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Kip]

negative effects.... darkening

 

[merlock116]

if you have pendants u can just raise them higher instead of the screen