What is the best way to acclimate corals from PC to MH

[rfc]

I finally placed an order to upgrade my 195W PC lights to MH on my 29g. I am getting a 250W PFO mini pendant, 14K phoenix, and an icecap electronic ballast. I will be installing this in my canopy and it will sit around 6 inches from the top of the water. I will also be adding a 65wPC actinic light from my current setup.

What is the best way to acclimate my tank to MH ? I have done a search and some say window screen material and others say use a shorter photo period and increase it over time.


Is there going to be a big photo shock to my corals going from 195PC to 250MH?


Any recommendations are highly appreciated.



Thanks in advance


RFC


Here is a recent pic of my tank under PC

 

[fritz]

Welcome to the world of MH!! You'll love it.

That being said expect your tank to "freak out" a bit no matter how much you acclimate, you'll most likely at the very least get many an algae bloom till everything settles in.

I prefer many a window screen and a shorter photo period. The key is to pick a length of time then figure out what adjustments you need to make in order to take up that much time. 3 weeks should be a good safe amount since you're stepping up to 250watts on a 29 gallon tank. (Watch your tank temp!!!)

Start with maybe a 3 or 4 hour photo period and remove one window screen every other day. Once you've gone through all the window screens start increasing your photo period. With 250W on a 29 gallon tank you won't need a very long photo period at all. At max I'd do maybe only 6 hours of MH once you're done acclimating. You can always go to 7 or 8 hours down the road.

Also expect your mushrooms to not be too happy about the new lights.

 

[House of Laughter]

I would echo some of Fritz's comments, but in short -

1) Lower everything as far down as you can possible get and work it back up over time
2) Lift your hood up off the tank to increase the distance to the bottom of the tank
3) use a light diffuser (AKA eggcrate)
4) decrease photoperiod and increase over time as you remove the eggcrate, and lower the lights.

Hope that helps,

House

 

[scarf_ace1981]

i think house summed it up in #2, try placing the light maybe a foot high and then lower it over a week or two. btw you may not want the light so close to the water surface aim for like 8-10" from the water surface.

watch your temp and try installing some fans in the hood. i like the idea of having fans suck the air out of the hood instead of blowing into the hood.

i don't see any corals that you will have a problem w/.

 

[rfc]

Thank You Scarf, House, and Fritz for the advice. Its so great to be able to receive help from people as knowledgeable as you three. Happy Holidays


Regards

RFC

 

[rfc]

Just a quick thank you once again. The 3 week acclimation is complete and all of my corals are doing great. I did the egg crate screen technique and no signs of stress or bleaching can be seen .

Thanks again !

RFC

Pic taken today full power 250w 14k phoenix 8 hr photoperiod

 

[scumonkey]

Sweeet...Colours seem to really pop now !