Acclimating Corals to New Lighting

[Cristi]

My QT, which I keep some corals in, has 80 watts of PC lighting and I want to put a T5HO fixture over it instead that has 6 24 W (144 watts). Will this be too much change in light intensity for the corals and if so, how do I acclimate them to the new lighting? Thanks.

[demonsp]

Whenever adding high lighting or even new bulbs its best to lower amount of main light time and bring up slowly. Prevents coral stress and algea blooms.

[bigfruits]

a good way to acclimate is to add a few sheets of window screen over your tank or under your new light fixture. remove a sheet every 5 days or so.

[xtm]

80 to 144 is not too much of a jump in light intensity. I think you should be fine.

I've jumped from a 150w to 500w halide with no casualties. Of course I had to raise up the halides 20 inches UP and gradually pull them down 1" per day... but everything turned out ok.

[bigfruits]

be careful, we are not talking about 80 watts of pc to 144 watts of pc. these are t5 and probably with individual reflectors. this would be a substantial increase in light intensity.

[Blown 346]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11394196#post11394196 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by demonsp
Whenever adding high lighting or even new bulbs its best to lower amount of main light time and bring up slowly. Prevents coral stress and algea blooms.

I agree, no need to spend money on screen. I would lower the amount of time the lights are on for as well. I did this when I went from PC's to halides and it couldnt have worked better.

I would start with 2 hours the first day, add 30 minutes each day until you reach your lighting time.