I have a Hamilton deluxe lighting hood that I recently did a light upgrade on. I have gone from 2x175 watt 10,000K to 2x400 watt 20,000K. I aclimated my tank and the corals looked much better and were going strong. I have recently, for the first time, experienced a rash of RTN. I am looking about at all items for possible cause. All the water checks out and I can see no cause. I have however noticed that the 1/8 inch plexy sheild that came with the hood is a bit burned and warped some from the increased heat. Also one bulb showes carbon charing at both ends of the inner capsule and appears less blue and intense. Would my 1/8 plexy offer enough UV protection and or might this one bulb be part of my RTN problem?
UV light problem?
- Thread starter mckeec
- Start date
graveyardworm
Premium Member
Curious why you would go from 175 to 400 on a 90 gal tank, when the 175 would be fine for most inverts except perhaps a light loving clam on the sand, and for that 250's would be plenty. The 400's seem like alot of extra energy expense.
The bulbs are single ended and I did do acclimation. Some of the corals that have secummed to RTN were introduced after the bulbs were changed. I went for the 400 watt because my tank is 24" tall and I wanted no limitations as a result of lighting. Also was concerned about the loss of par going from 10,000K to 20,000K. Could the problem be too much light? What about UV exposure. Will the 1/8 plexy sheild the UV?
The single-ended bulbs include a UV shield. The plexi shield might not be doing much, depending on the type of plastic. I'd go for a tempered glass shield just because of the charring issue.
The problem might be too much light, but I suspect that the change in lighting is coincidental to the problems, or perhaps one weakened coral has affected the others. The coral forum might be a good place to look for RTN information. I don't really know much about that topic.
The problem might be too much light, but I suspect that the change in lighting is coincidental to the problems, or perhaps one weakened coral has affected the others. The coral forum might be a good place to look for RTN information. I don't really know much about that topic.
