Too much light?

Strega · 08/28/2007, 04:59 PM

Would a 250w 14k halide be too much over a 20 long? I have some of the following corals. Fungia, Star Polyps, Clavularia, Musrooms, and Zoos. I'd probably hang it 8"-10" off the water. I also have a fan on a timer than runs with the 10k bulb iI have now(40watt pc)

hahnmeister · 08/28/2007, 05:01 PM

Oh yeah... a 150watter is plenty.

Strega · 08/28/2007, 05:05 PM

Is it beacause of heat of UV burn?

hahnmeister · 08/28/2007, 05:26 PM

No, just too much light in general. UV isnt the only thing that burns... light is a form of radiation just the same, and exposing a coral to too much light means its surface temp will rise... and if too much it will bleach. A 250 is just too much output for even SPS. The smallest tank I would consider putting a 250watter over is a 40B.

Strega · 08/28/2007, 05:46 PM

Thank, so with the 150w. Would 8-10 inches off the water give a good spread of the light at the bottom? The tank is 12 inches high.

FroggyFeet · 08/28/2007, 05:46 PM

I have 150 over a 20l and it looks great, but on my 20t I have two 150's a 10k and 14k. The acro's and Clam love it but low light coral had to get moved out.

Strega · 08/28/2007, 05:58 PM

Would my Zoos and Musrooms be burned if I leave the at about mid level?

hahnmeister · 08/28/2007, 06:01 PM

Depends on the shrooms/zoas... some are very low light, and some are light loving. Those cobalt blue shrooms for instance... they love light. Some zoas love light as well... and others prefer the shaded areas.

michaeljames · 08/28/2007, 06:05 PM

Just remember so acclimate your tank slowly to the new lighting, start out with a shorter photo period, and slowly increase it!

Strega · 08/28/2007, 06:15 PM

A friend told me to use window screens. I was going to start with two or three and remove one a week.

jc9394 · 08/28/2007, 06:37 PM

Try 4 layers, take one every few days.

Strega · 08/28/2007, 06:47 PM

Will do, thanks.

08/28/2007, 04:59 PM	#1
Strega Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 70	Too much light? Would a 250w 14k halide be too much over a 20 long? I have some of the following corals. Fungia, Star Polyps, Clavularia, Musrooms, and Zoos. I'd probably hang it 8"-10" off the water. I also have a fan on a timer than runs with the 10k bulb iI have now(40watt pc)

08/28/2007, 06:05 PM	#9
michaeljames Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 737	Just remember so acclimate your tank slowly to the new lighting, start out with a shorter photo period, and slowly increase it! __________________ "This tastes like crap!" "Well here, try it with some selcon and garlic..." Current Tank Info: 180g RR AGA 2 x 250w SE MH 1 x 175 SE MH 2 x 6' Super atinic VHO Iwaki 100 return Reef Octopus Skimmer

08/28/2007, 05:01 PM	#2
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Oh yeah... a 150watter is plenty.

08/28/2007, 05:05 PM	#3
Strega Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 70	Is it beacause of heat of UV burn?

08/28/2007, 05:26 PM	#4
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	No, just too much light in general. UV isnt the only thing that burns... light is a form of radiation just the same, and exposing a coral to too much light means its surface temp will rise... and if too much it will bleach. A 250 is just too much output for even SPS. The smallest tank I would consider putting a 250watter over is a 40B.

08/28/2007, 05:46 PM	#5
Strega Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 70	Thank, so with the 150w. Would 8-10 inches off the water give a good spread of the light at the bottom? The tank is 12 inches high.

08/28/2007, 05:46 PM	#6
FroggyFeet Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 216	I have 150 over a 20l and it looks great, but on my 20t I have two 150's a 10k and 14k. The acro's and Clam love it but low light coral had to get moved out.

08/28/2007, 05:58 PM	#7
Strega Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 70	Would my Zoos and Musrooms be burned if I leave the at about mid level?

08/28/2007, 06:01 PM	#8
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Depends on the shrooms/zoas... some are very low light, and some are light loving. Those cobalt blue shrooms for instance... they love light. Some zoas love light as well... and others prefer the shaded areas.

08/28/2007, 06:15 PM	#10
Strega Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 70	A friend told me to use window screens. I was going to start with two or three and remove one a week.

08/28/2007, 06:37 PM	#11
jc9394 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 422	Try 4 layers, take one every few days.

08/28/2007, 06:47 PM	#12
Strega Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 70	Will do, thanks.