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Ting · 02-12-2003, 06:06 PM

Short and sweet I have a 75 gallon reef with star polyps, mushrooms, pulsing xenia, long tenticle anen, 2-pepermint shrimps, 2 damsels, about a month ago I changed my lighting from 250 MH to 440w VHO. every since I have had mushrooms not acting right, star polyps not coming out fully any more but every thing else is doing fine. I need some adv. I change the water every Sunday (15 gal) Calc is at 500ppm, ph, ak, nitrite, nitrates all test perfict. What is going on. Temp is 72/73 in moring before lights and around 76 with lights. 20 gallon wet dry, in sump protien skimmer, 2-MJ1000 power heads above. HELP

Please excuse my spelling I am computer IT person with no spell checker. haha

Calvinc4s · 02-12-2003, 06:56 PM

Welcome!

If it was my tank I would try to get the temp up and keep it at about 80 with a good heater; then just see what that does to
help.

Calvinc4s · 02-12-2003, 06:58 PM

It may just be that with out the MH the tank gets cooler then befor.

hamburglar · 02-12-2003, 07:03 PM

Give everything a little while to adjust to the lighting change. Even replacing old bulbs with new ones will have a slight impact like this.

Jimbo · 02-12-2003, 07:06 PM

Welcome

You've come to the right place

You've changed your light spectrum / quanity considerbly. Your corals probally need to adjust there zooanthellae for lower light levels. You might want to move the affected animals closer to the light source.

There could be other factors here also, you ecosystem needs adjust to the change in light and this might take awhile.

How long ago did you switch over to VHO?

Junkzoo · 02-12-2003, 07:16 PM

WELCOME!!!!!
I agree with the previous posts on this,,,,mainly the change in lighting intensity,and causing the temp change,,,,,get the temp up and constant,maybe even double -check your water parameters with a LFS(Local Fish Shop/store) things like a stale/off test kit or even a hydrometer(been there -seen that) can give you readings not true to scale.
good luck and again, Welcome To TRT!
keep us posted

mikeMersot · 02-12-2003, 07:24 PM

I agree as well, even though you have more light now, the spectrum and intensity are different, and the inhabitants will need some time to adjust. what color temp MH did you have and what temp VHOs are you using?

Ting · 02-12-2003, 10:39 PM

Thanks every one for the info

The new lights are URI 2-Super Actinics, and 2-Aquasuns
Before I had 1-250watt 6500K MH

So the temp should be highter like in the low 80s

MyReef · 02-12-2003, 10:57 PM

What was your temp range before you changed lighting? I am from the old school and like temps in the 70's....I usually have my tanks run from 75 in the morning to 77 in the afternoon...I don't like to dip below 74.....though...

If your tank temps were higher with halides, it could be a combination of lighting and temp changes....salinity I am assuming stays constant as well? ....but if the temp changed, then the salinity could have changed also.....

Ting · 02-13-2003, 08:56 AM

The Salinity is constant except for the evaportation during the day. Its around .023 and Temp with MH was around 85-89 and I could not get it down. So thats why I got the VHO. I borrowed a Heater last night and I hopefully will have the temp around 80 today.

David Grigor · 02-13-2003, 09:33 AM

With VHOs, I keep the temp. controller at 78. Since the lighting isn't assisting to the temp as much with the heat, no real need to run more electricity on the heater to go any higher...... IMO........but then again I'm in MN where the room temp / tank temp differential is probably quite a bit more than TX.

Alice · 02-13-2003, 10:56 AM

Welcome to The Reef Tank!

Ting · 02-13-2003, 11:20 AM

Thanks everyone for the wonderful advice and a new place for future advice.

The temp in my house because of the stupid Texas weather flux. if the temp out side is cold my wife has the heater on 74 if during the day it get hot (Texas all the time) the house is 79 which raises the temp.

I have 2 really high power fans on the lights and when turned on they can drop the temp fairly quick but I need some kind of temp switch to let the fans know when to come on. Any ideas.

Reefer Addict · 02-13-2003, 08:57 PM

A Tempstat will probably work pretty well for what you want to do. You can find them at hydroponic stores for around $75 for the basic model, or up to $125 for the higher-end models.
They have a range from 40 degrees to 110 degrees with a 3 degree differential (it cools to 3 degrees below your setting before turning off).
Others here may have a better suggestion though.
Good luck.

75 gal with some problems

Welcome