Light acclimation?

redwinger · 07-18-2005, 10:30 PM

I just added a 250 watt 20k coralview bulb to the 2x 250 watt xm 10k's that I am running and I am wondering if I should have acclimated the corals to the 20k or not. Reason for the questions as I have a couple of corals that bleached on one side and it just happens to be on the side that is exposed to the 20k bulb.

tico mike · 07-18-2005, 10:42 PM

That will be interesting to find out. Hope it's temporary.

redwinger · 07-18-2005, 10:45 PM

I am assuming they will be fine. I hope so cause one is an oregon tort. I added the light a couple of days ago and noticed it today. The 20k has been running at 5 hours a day along with the 10k's. I am going to switch the 20k to 1 hour a week and increase by one hour every week untill it gets to the five hour mark.

Twins Guy · 07-18-2005, 11:36 PM

hey john-
compared to the 10Ks sure the intensity doesn't stack up but on top of the 10Ks the jump with the 20K might be sig...its prolly more than just a coincidence unfortunately. i think cutting back on the photoperiod (as you're doing) or using layers of window screen to gradually increase the 20K would be the way to go (i always preferred this way because it doesn't expose the critter to a rapid change in intensity/PAR/radiation whatever you want to call it-even if it is just for an hour). physically raising the light works similarly but might not be practical depending on your canopy...especially since you're not changing the other bulbs. GL!
tg

redwinger · 07-19-2005, 12:05 AM

I can't move them up because I only have about 3-4 inchs between the canopy and the ceiling otherwise I would. That is why I have to reduce the photoperiod. Just got me a little worried as it is my PM and my oregon tort. Will they recover in time?

smeese · 07-19-2005, 09:24 AM

My Purple Monster survived a ph spike that killed most of my sps back in the day. I think you drag that sucker behind a car and put it back and it would still come back.