lighting acclimation

cyclops23 · 06/21/2006, 01:15 PM

hello
i have yet another in my string of dumb questions and screw-ups

i recently aquired a couple of softies and was wonding on acclimating them to my lights. here's what i got: 6 54watt T-5 on a 55g, giving me around 5.9 watts/gal. the T-5s dont have individual reflectors, just a single one behind them. i know the individual make it more intense, but i dont think i really need it. i have softies and a 2 LPS that are all doing well. my photoperiod is actinics (2 bulbs) run from 12 pm to 12 am. the rest (3 10000, 1 actinic) run from 2 pm to 10 pm. should i shorten the photoperiod for awhile and build it back up? i didn't do this with my other corals, and they are all doing great. btw, the new corals are a green nephthea and a blastomussa.

graveyardworm · 06/21/2006, 04:28 PM

What kind of lighting were they under at the LFS? If you're not sure then I think you should acclimate them in some fashion. If you have a spot in the tank on the bottom which doesnt get direct light you start them there and slowly move them into the light and then to where you them, or you could use some eggcrate and fiberglass screen. Place the eggcrate over the tank and then several layers of screen. Everyday remove a layer of screen until its gone.

cyclops23 · 06/21/2006, 04:34 PM

i like the eggcrate idea, there's really no shade in the part with high flow. what kind of screen? like a thin cloth?
Thanks!

cyclops23 · 06/21/2006, 04:36 PM

nevermind, i missed the fiberglass part. whoops

06/21/2006, 01:15 PM	#1
cyclops23 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milton, WI Posts: 616	lighting acclimation hello i have yet another in my string of dumb questions and screw-ups i recently aquired a couple of softies and was wonding on acclimating them to my lights. here's what i got: 6 54watt T-5 on a 55g, giving me around 5.9 watts/gal. the T-5s dont have individual reflectors, just a single one behind them. i know the individual make it more intense, but i dont think i really need it. i have softies and a 2 LPS that are all doing well. my photoperiod is actinics (2 bulbs) run from 12 pm to 12 am. the rest (3 10000, 1 actinic) run from 2 pm to 10 pm. should i shorten the photoperiod for awhile and build it back up? i didn't do this with my other corals, and they are all doing great. btw, the new corals are a green nephthea and a blastomussa. __________________ Do you know how hard it is to swing from a webb with no depth perception!?!? Current Tank Info: trying for a full 125g tank and empty wallet.

06/21/2006, 04:28 PM	#2
graveyardworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nottingham, NH Posts: 7,271	What kind of lighting were they under at the LFS? If you're not sure then I think you should acclimate them in some fashion. If you have a spot in the tank on the bottom which doesnt get direct light you start them there and slowly move them into the light and then to where you them, or you could use some eggcrate and fiberglass screen. Place the eggcrate over the tank and then several layers of screen. Everyday remove a layer of screen until its gone. __________________ -David- President - New Hampshire Reef Club There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave Current Tank Info: 100 gal lagoon/seagrass, 100 gal sump, Lifereef 72" skimmer, 180 inwall, 125 inwall seagrass/lagoon in progress

06/21/2006, 04:34 PM	#3
cyclops23 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milton, WI Posts: 616	i like the eggcrate idea, there's really no shade in the part with high flow. what kind of screen? like a thin cloth? Thanks! __________________ Do you know how hard it is to swing from a webb with no depth perception!?!? Current Tank Info: trying for a full 125g tank and empty wallet.

06/21/2006, 04:36 PM	#4
cyclops23 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milton, WI Posts: 616	nevermind, i missed the fiberglass part. whoops __________________ Do you know how hard it is to swing from a webb with no depth perception!?!? Current Tank Info: trying for a full 125g tank and empty wallet.