Lighting step up

[paats]

I`m under powered on my 125 and want to build a new hood and bump up the lighting.I currently have four thirtysix inch VHO`s on a 125g(two blues and two whites all 95watts) but it`s an all softie tank so everything has done ok.I don`t like settling for ok and would really like to see this thing thrive.It has an Icecap 660 ballast so I know it will handle 4 fourtyeight inch VHO`s at 110 watts a piece.I know you don`t want to bump up the lighting too fast or harsh,so is an extra 80 watts that big of a deal in 125 gallons?I bought this tank and entire setup off a guy because it was a great deal but I`ll bet the farm that these bulbs are old as sin so I want to move and get the lights up to par.Any suggestion on a procedure to get the new lighting going without hurting any of my leetle friends?

 

[paats]

Excuse my math,it`s an extra 60 watts but also new bulbs versus what I`m sure are old worn out ones.

 

[bigtank2]

Why not go with MH?

 

[paats]

I will eventually go to MH.This tank is scratched and I`m going to get a new 125,or probably something bigger if I`m going to the trouble of switching tanks.But I`m not sure yet what I`ll end up with and wanted a quick and inexpensive fix for this lighting problem.I thought using my existing equiptment and getting new larger bulbs would be best 4 now

 

[Anonymous]

Go and add them. I would just lessen the photo period by two hours or so and add an hour over two weeks. I did it and have had no problems.

 

[jhaag]

I doubt you'll have to worry about doing anything with your photoperiod. That is a pretty mild increase in intensity that your corals will notice. Even worse case, they may lighten up and/or not expand fully for a few days then everything will go right back normal. Don't sweat it...