ive noticed a few of my polyps lost color and only open half way. is this commom after replaceing bulbs? is the light to bright? my light is a 4 bulb t-5 tek light. i purchased it used and it replaced power compacts. no problems at all until i replaced the bulbs and it is only about 3 or 4 of my frags that sre doing this. what do you think?
zoas and new bulbs
- Thread starter nellahtes
- Start date
rjwilson37
New member
Let them get use to the bulbs. Also, they will slightly change color depending on the bulbs you get. I use to use the Blue Plus and the white 11k bulbs on my old 55g. The blue plus really bring out some nice color from the corals and the 11k helps them grow and get enough par to keep things healthy and a good clean look.
This of course is just my opinion, as everyone's eyes have a different opinion on what looks good to them. Here is the zoa's in my old 55g, with that type of lighting.
This of course is just my opinion, as everyone's eyes have a different opinion on what looks good to them. Here is the zoa's in my old 55g, with that type of lighting.
i raised it as high as i could this morning and ill see how they react. the colors were fine before and not all of them have been affected. its just about 4 different frags and i have a lot of different ones. i have noticed some colors that have faded so i am thinking the new bulbs were to much. i guess only time will tell.
rjwilson37
New member
How old were the bulbs that the used T5 setup had and how long did you have the corals under the lighting it came with before switching to new bulbs?
rjwilson37
New member
Oh.. and...
Did you replace with the exact same kind of bulbs from same manufacturer, or something different.
Depending on how old the old bulbs were and how long your corals were under them. The new bulbs could be just a bit bright for them if the old bulbs were worn out alot.
I always just ran my daylights for 3-4 hours, then off for about 2 hours in the middle of the day, then back on until the normal off time. I would do this for 2 days and then take a half hour away a day until on for the full day.
Did you replace with the exact same kind of bulbs from same manufacturer, or something different.
Depending on how old the old bulbs were and how long your corals were under them. The new bulbs could be just a bit bright for them if the old bulbs were worn out alot.
I always just ran my daylights for 3-4 hours, then off for about 2 hours in the middle of the day, then back on until the normal off time. I would do this for 2 days and then take a half hour away a day until on for the full day.
rjwilson37
New member
Hmm. A bulb change has been know to cause issues a lot of times, if you don't acclimate the corals to the new light. Usually though, hardy corals like zoa's don't get effected as much as LPS or SPS.
Good luck and I hope things work out.
Good luck and I hope things work out.
Did you replace them with the same bulb brand, type and K value?
Did you change anything else at all during this time.
I can maybe see the bulbs being an issue if you used them beyond their manufactured suggested use time. If their PAR and intensity dropped way off and your corals became use to this decrease, and you placed all new bulbs in overnight, then yes, I could easily see the retraction you are experiencing. The key, raise the lid/canopy as high as you can. Get some wooden dowel rods and cut 2 or 3 to support the lid/top of your canopy. Then slowly cut 2 inches off the rods each week or one inch off every 3 days and lower the top slowly. This will allow your polyps to slowly acclimate to the new bulbs without experiencing the possible light shock that happening now. I wouldn't raise it high and then back down to normal, that won't help, it might even cause more damage. Good luck nellahtes.
Did you change anything else at all during this time.
I can maybe see the bulbs being an issue if you used them beyond their manufactured suggested use time. If their PAR and intensity dropped way off and your corals became use to this decrease, and you placed all new bulbs in overnight, then yes, I could easily see the retraction you are experiencing. The key, raise the lid/canopy as high as you can. Get some wooden dowel rods and cut 2 or 3 to support the lid/top of your canopy. Then slowly cut 2 inches off the rods each week or one inch off every 3 days and lower the top slowly. This will allow your polyps to slowly acclimate to the new bulbs without experiencing the possible light shock that happening now. I wouldn't raise it high and then back down to normal, that won't help, it might even cause more damage. Good luck nellahtes.
yes i completely changed the bulbs. brand, type, and k value. plus there is no telling the real age of the old bulbs. no other changes except for a skimmer cleaning. i have the light raised as high as it will go and will leave it there for a week. then slowly lower it. the polyps in question have lost color, and are not fully open. however they do look a little better this morning. ive tried everything but the lights so now all i can do is sit and wait. thanks for all the help guys.
Dowel rods are cheaper,about $3.00 total LOL, LOL. And how much are those egg crates a piece delsol650, LOL. J/k
