14k out 10k in 250 w any aclimation needed??

[TahoeMtn]

It is time to change the bulbs they are about 8 months old. I currently have 250 w 14k bulbs probably from China. I am replacing them with 250 w10ks. I have 4 of each on electronic ballasts. Do I need to reduce the photo period from my current 8 hrs per day.

And what may be a related question, Many of the corals I get "softies" turn to a light brown color after awhile in my tank. All my params seem to be very close. Even some of my zoas seem to take on a dull appearance after being in the tank for a few months. The most dramatic was a bright yellow leather that is now a sand color. It is located at the bottom of the tank good flow low light. 200 gallons 4 x 250 MH 14k Will the 10k's help??

[tims]

yes you need to slowly up the hours when you change the bulbs.
the older bulbs may be the cause of the softies not fully looking good

[ckusnierek]

How deep is the tank?
Going from 14 to 10K will provide a good bit more par. But with 1,000w of MH I find it very hard to beleive your softies are starved for light, Perhaps just the opposite. I had to move many of my softies into another tank after adding MH Mostly the tree corals and leathers. I only have them under 130w PC and they look better and are growing faster than when they were under the MH. And as for the softies still under MH I had to go from 10K up to 14K bc the 10K was just too bright for them. they never opened up under the 10K the day I put the 14K in they all started to look better.

Now as for the Noname chineese bulbs, stay away from them you can get good bulbs like XM and Hamilton 250w bulbs for about $55-$65

[Casey]

Keep the softies lower and they like the water a little messier than SPS,I find that gives my softies good color,I just changed to 14k's dont expect to see alot of difference in the corals.