More halide upgrade questions =)

[Paradox]

So I will be adding dual 175 watt MH to my current dual 55 watt PC reef and I am wondering what to expect and the best way to introduce the light. There been many times in which Ive added something new to the tank thinking it would make things "better" to find that I hurt things in the process. I really dont want that to happen this time, so Ill ask for your valuable experiences..

-Will my current corrallinge growth die or change? I notice i have a lot of nice colors (red,dark purple) in slightly shadier areas. Will the added light cause these to die off?

-I have mostly soft corals, but a couple small sps frags that a firend gave me which are all growing, but slowly. (This is what prompted me to add the MHs. Will they be ok with the drastic change in light? They are currently within 6-8 inches from the top of my tank.

-Should I add the light in small time intervals starting at ..uh 4 hours a day and slowly increasing?

-What should I expect in terms of algae with this light increase? If I am to recieve an algae bloom, how is this best dealt with?

Thanks again,
D.

[bamann345]

First, Congrats. on getting MH, you will never look back!

If it is possibly, I think the best way to introduce halides is my the height off the water, but keeping the photo time the same. But in many cases, this isnt possibly( I have never been able to do this!). Then I do the lowering the time the lights are on. Also, watch the corals carefuly and if the softies start to close up you know they have had enough light for the day. The SPSs should be ok where they are right now.

[wildernet]

I would definitely dial back the time your lights are on. If possible lower or shade the softies. I have used white eggcrate that is used for lighting. It does not help things directly under the light but it will block some of the light to the side of the bulb. Also watch out for bleaching on the sps.

[Paradox]

Thanks for the comments...How long should i have the MHs on at first and how gradual should I increase it?

anyone know how light upgrades affect corralline?

[StellaMN]

I upgraded to MH a little over a year ago. Dual 175 watters over my 40 BR (along with 110 W PC actinic).

Since I was unable to do the height adjustments, I sent a note to Eric Bonemann over at RC. His advice was to get a timer that can be set for 15 minute intervals. I started out with 30 minutes on - one hour off during my anticipated photo period. I increased in 15 minute intervals weekly...always with one hour of down time. It took a couple of months to get up to the full photoperiod, but I had no problems with bleaching/sun burn on any corals.

The reasoning behind this is that it takes the zooxanthelle algae an hour to shut down...that's why the lights are off for an hour inbetween the lights being on.

Let me know if this isn't clear enough.

Jodi

[Paradox]

Jodi, what type of timers can you use to do this? Im assuming not the 10 dollar types you get at the hardware store...

Thanks

[StellaMN]

Actually, I got mine at Wal-Mart for around $10. It has a dial, with little switches that go all the way around. You just push up one switch for every 15 minutes (I think they're 15 minute increments)....

Jodi

[Paradox]

wow i need to find those..Im using ones you plcae pins in at the time you wnat the item to turn on and off. However, this only allows it to go on and off once a day.

D.

[adrianleewelch]

I got digital timers from graingers, they can be on for 1 minute up to 23 hrs 59 minutes and any combo in between, with as many on-off times as the math will allow. every day of the week can be different, they are rated for 20 amps too, I just upgraded to MH and have mine set to add 15 minutes a day to the photo period, they are pricey though at 32 bucks each !!

[wanareef]

If you look in HD, they have those same digitals for about $19 -20 ea. With a battery backup, too.

hth