too much light?

[jeremy K]

I am getting new lights tomorrow, and wonder if they might be too much for my tank. The tank is 90g, SPS dominant, though with some LPS and softies. I had previously run 4x54W Tek fixture with 2 48" reefbrite strips (1 blue, 1 white). My new lighting scheme will be 6x54W ATI sunpower plus the 2 reefbrite strips above.

I know the ATI fixture puts out significantly more light than the Tek, especially with the 2 added bulbs. Each reefbrite strip is equivalent in PAR to 2 T5 bulbs, so this will be the equivalent of a 10 bulb fixture. Is this too much? Should I phase the new lights in slowly, or will it be ok to go full steam ahead?

[JeF4y]

I'd personally start with the ATI either a few feet higher than you want it off the tank, lowering slowly over a couple of weeks, or using 3 layers of screen on top of the tank, removing 1 layer each week.

My ATI PM 8x24 on my 60 cube is INSANELY intense.

[DustinB]

Too much? No way. Big difference? Yes.

As stated, you will need to acclimate the tank to the brighter lighting.