55 Gallon Reef MH Upgrade Question re: Coral Acclimation

[Rip Tide]

Hi,
I am currenly running 4x55 Watt PC retrofit kit in my hood with 2 10K and 2 50/50s. I have recently purchased a dual 175W 20K retrofit so I can support some of ths SPS I am interested in acquiring.

What is the best way to ensure that corals do not get bleached when I fire these bad boys up? How long will it take for corals to acclimate?

I am considering the use of filters, as I understand that bleaching can occur quickly, so minimizing the duration is not the answer. Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Chuck

 

[Snowboarda42]

I would try to acclimate the corals in one of 2 ways:

1. Take them off the live rock or move the some of the rock they are on to the bottom. Then put on the metal halides and move them up an inch or two each week or so.

2. Or, Use both your PC and Metal halides, but only have one on at a time, and start introducing the corals to the MH by turning it on for an hour, then back to PC. Do that for a few days/a week and then increase to 1.5-2 hours. do that for a few days/a week and increase again, and so on...

 

[Rip Tide]

Thanks Elliott.
I seem to recall reading somewhere that corals will bleach very quickly when not acclimated properly to a significant increase in light. Within the first hour in many cases due to a lack of chlorophyl producing symbiots.

I'd really like to hear from anyone who may have used filters or shields to cut back on light output.

 

[bleedingthought]

I agree with Elliott. One thing you might also want to consider is placing the MH pretty high up and slowly move it down over the course of weeks. But this only works if you've got the room for it to be moved up.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with Elliott. One thing you might also want to consider is placing the MH pretty high up and slowly move it down over the course of weeks. But this only works if you've got the room for it to be moved up.

Thats what I do even when I change bulbs, but I do have a pendant, and can simply move the light up a few links on the chain.

I raise it up, and slowly lower it down over the course of a couple of weeks.

 

[Rip Tide]

Thanks Guys.
I don't have all that much room to play with in my hood, so not sure how I would play with the distance.