should i acclimate?

juniorjose · 04/01/2011, 06:50 PM

i got a new 4 bulb 36 inch T5 fixture for my 30 gallon tank. i used to have regular 130 watt pc lights on the tank. should i be light acclimating?

JacknJill · 04/01/2011, 06:53 PM

IMO I would

juniorjose · 04/01/2011, 07:00 PM

what should be the schedule?

JacknJill · 04/01/2011, 07:22 PM

I would say an hour the first day then ad an hour each day after that till you get your targeted light cycle

juniorjose · 04/01/2011, 07:29 PM

hmm i might have went overboard then with 5 hours the first day. hope nothing happens=(

JacknJill · 04/01/2011, 07:32 PM

How long have you had the new lights?

juniorjose · 04/01/2011, 07:35 PM

i just got it today. i have the deep blue solarmax 4 bulb 36inch

JacknJill · 04/01/2011, 07:38 PM

Then just keep adding an hour every day until you reach your targeted light cycle, so tomorrow will be 6 hours

Toddrtrex · 04/01/2011, 08:21 PM

Personally I would leave the lights at the height (( off the tank )) that you plan on, and using the photo-period that you plan.

Then, place a piece of egg crate b/t the lights and the tank, on top of that place 3 layers of window screening, remove a layer every 5-7 days. I have found this route to be a lot more effective then using a shorter photo-period.

saltjohnswharf · 04/01/2011, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toddrtrex

Personally I would leave the lights at the height (( off the tank )) that you plan on, and using the photo-period that you plan.

Then, place a piece of egg crate b/t the lights and the tank, on top of that place 3 layers of window screening, remove a layer every 5-7 days. I have found this route to be a lot more effective then using a shorter photo-period.

Great advice. Another option is to raise the light and lower it a little every week. But this first option is widely accepted as the proper way to light acclimate without moving corals to the sand and disrupting the display.

mfinn · 04/02/2011, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toddrtrex

Personally I would leave the lights at the height (( off the tank )) that you plan on, and using the photo-period that you plan.

Then, place a piece of egg crate b/t the lights and the tank, on top of that place 3 layers of window screening, remove a layer every 5-7 days. I have found this route to be a lot more effective then using a shorter photo-period.

This is the method I've used many times.
You don't have to alter lighting schedule or change the height of the lights.
Just set your timer for a full day and enjoy your tank as always.

04/01/2011, 06:50 PM	#1
juniorjose Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 596	should i acclimate? i got a new 4 bulb 36 inch T5 fixture for my 30 gallon tank. i used to have regular 130 watt pc lights on the tank. should i be light acclimating? __________________ JuJo

04/01/2011, 07:00 PM	#3
juniorjose Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 596	what should be the schedule? __________________ JuJo

04/01/2011, 07:29 PM	#5
juniorjose Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 596	hmm i might have went overboard then with 5 hours the first day. hope nothing happens=( __________________ JuJo

04/01/2011, 07:35 PM	#7
juniorjose Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 596	i just got it today. i have the deep blue solarmax 4 bulb 36inch __________________ JuJo

04/01/2011, 08:21 PM	#9
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Personally I would leave the lights at the height (( off the tank )) that you plan on, and using the photo-period that you plan. Then, place a piece of egg crate b/t the lights and the tank, on top of that place 3 layers of window screening, remove a layer every 5-7 days. I have found this route to be a lot more effective then using a shorter photo-period. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

04/01/2011, 06:53 PM	#2
JacknJill Moved On Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: El Segundo Posts: 51	IMO I would

04/01/2011, 07:22 PM	#4
JacknJill Moved On Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: El Segundo Posts: 51	I would say an hour the first day then ad an hour each day after that till you get your targeted light cycle

04/01/2011, 07:32 PM	#6
JacknJill Moved On Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: El Segundo Posts: 51	How long have you had the new lights?

04/01/2011, 07:38 PM	#8
JacknJill Moved On Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: El Segundo Posts: 51	Then just keep adding an hour every day until you reach your targeted light cycle, so tomorrow will be 6 hours

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