Acclimating lights

[eddi]

OK, I have decided to scrap my Coralvues as I truly believe they were the cause of my tank crash several weeks back.  It may very well be because I did not acclimate the lights, but I have never acclimated lights before.  I did read a post on RC that claimed someone measured the thickness of the bulb and found it was too thin and therefore emitted too many UV rays.  I have no idea if that is true, but I don't want to go through that experience again; I am not taking any chances.

 

I removed the Coralvues about two weeks ago and went back to my old Ushios, which are just now 10 months old.  I have bought XM bulbs (I have read lots of positive feedback and little negative) and will change over soon.  I have 2 10K and one 20K, 250W.

 

I am looking for suggestions on what would be the correct acclimation process.

 

 

Thanks.

[ErikS]

Hope the new bulbs work out, but it turns out that the CoralVue's don't put out any more radiation than any other bulb (in fact it's less). The discussion seems to center on whether or not they put out light in the needed spectrum.

 

Check this thread - RC CoralVue Thread

[ReefMon]

Regardless of the CV UV issue, I think you're going to be very happy with the XM's.

 

I just changed my 3x400 saki's out for the XM 10K's and not only is the color great, but they appear to be way brighter than the 6500's!

 

As for acclimation, I'd cut your Halide photo period in half and carefully watch your livestock as you bring them up to your regular intensity.

[pez]

You should always shield your corals from new MH lamps.  The intensity of all HID lamps drops off exponentially within the first few days.  I think Sanjay Joshi, Richard Harker, or Dana Riddle did an article about that a number of years ago.

 

-Tom