acclimating the tank to new light

[sploke]

I am upgrading my lighting and have a few questions so I don't kill off all the coral I have. Up until recently I was running 4x65w CF lighting over a 55gal mixed reef. One of the end caps practically started a fire, so I tore half of it apart and am currently running 2x65w just to keep everything semi-happy until the new light gets here. I am upgrading to the 2x250w Current SunPod. Obviously I can't just throw this thing over my tank and let it go. Its going to be hung from the ceiling on an adjustable pulley system so I can raise it and lower it pretty easily. How far over the tank should I start these lights, and at what pace should I lower them down? Since everything is used to the lower light right now I'm thinking its going to have to be like 3' over the tank.

[fishkid6692]

keep them at about 12 inches above the tank. use a few sheets of window screen and remove a sheet every week until all the screens are removed.

[DLANDINO]

I definitely say slowly acclimate however offer this differing experience. When I had to replace my halides I didn't use any other precaution with the exception of cutting my light period by 2 hrs per day for 1 week. I then when right back to 7 hrs per day with no ill effects. I house mainly sps and have 2 x 150 bulbs. Original were 14k and the new 20k.

[fishieness]

with 250s, you will need more light acclimation that just cutting the photoperiod by two hours. Both what you and fishkid said would both work fine. But I think you will need to cut the photoperiod by quite a few hours if you go that route, IMO.

[sploke]

Right...right now I'm running a 12hr photoperiod due to the lower light levels. I was actually thinking about cutting that back to about 8 hours, both to help with acclimation, as well as for a permanent change.

[mermin]

I would say go to 4 for a week then keep it at 6 to 7 hours. 8 right off the bat is to long.

[MADtanks]

i would def shade the tank with screens or even egg crate(light diffuser from home depot) and then cut the photo down to 2-4hrs, for a week or 2..... i also did what Dlandino did when i switched over to Overdriven T5s but it was not enough so thats why i say use both shade and a shorter photo period....

good luck.