Coral acclimation with new LED?

eric1115 · 09/22/2014, 11:55 AM

Hi
I currently have a Green Element 192Watt 3W 48inch LED over my 55 gallon reef for the past 6 months or so. I have mostly LPS and Softies. They are growing and doing fine but I don't like the color from the LED. Too much white comparing to the blue.

I am upgrading my LED to two 165Watt full spectrum LEDs. I was wondering, is it necessary to acclimate my Corals to this LED since I am upgrading from LED to LED?

thanks for your advice.

Wazzel · 09/22/2014, 12:00 PM

I would. Anytime you make a lighting change that increases the power you should do it slowly.

eric1115 · 09/22/2014, 12:04 PM

Thanks for the reply. How much should I start with? Should I dim my white 50% and leave the blue 100% to start with? How much to increase each week?

Wazzel · 09/22/2014, 12:12 PM

If it were me, since the total wattage is almost doubling, I would start at 60% of full power in increase 5% per week, until you get it where you want it. Probably over kill, but from my experience corals can handle a drastic reduction in light better than a drastic increase.

mcgyvr · 09/22/2014, 12:12 PM

one could assume that you are coming close to doubling power..
So one might suggest starting out at 50%.. However.. If your current lighting has enough output to fulfill the needs of your corals then you might not need to even come close to 100% on the 2 new fixtures as that might be "too much light"..

Personally I would throw the 2 new ones on and just set them for 50% and leave it..
But only you will know the answer as only you can watch your coral and adapt..

eric1115 · 09/22/2014, 12:18 PM

Again thanks for the response. I will start with 50% and see how the coral reacts to the new light. What will happen to the Corals if I slowly acclimates them to 100% even if it's too much light? Will it bleach them even if I acclimated them? Reason I am asking is because I want to start trying SPS in the tank and I know SPS needs higher light, which I imagine will requires me to get the lights to 100%?

mcgyvr · 09/22/2014, 06:13 PM

You won't need 100% for SPS when you have 2 x 165W on only a 55G tank..
And yes too much light will just bleach them but you can "usually" just back down the light and they will come right back..

I'd just leave them at 50% and just see how it goes..

Mikesmith34 · 09/22/2014, 08:53 PM

Yes the best answers. Have been given. You can overpower SPS in a big way. Go with the 50% answer and increase 5-10% a week. Watch yours corals they will tell you if you are advancing to fast.

09/22/2014, 11:55 AM	#1
eric1115 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 26	Coral acclimation with new LED? Hi I currently have a Green Element 192Watt 3W 48inch LED over my 55 gallon reef for the past 6 months or so. I have mostly LPS and Softies. They are growing and doing fine but I don't like the color from the LED. Too much white comparing to the blue. I am upgrading my LED to two 165Watt full spectrum LEDs. I was wondering, is it necessary to acclimate my Corals to this LED since I am upgrading from LED to LED? thanks for your advice.

09/22/2014, 12:00 PM	#2
Wazzel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 4,743	I would. Anytime you make a lighting change that increases the power you should do it slowly. __________________ Mark Beware the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes it's a train. Current Tank Info: 120, LED, Bare Bottom, SPS/LPS

09/22/2014, 12:12 PM	#4
Wazzel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 4,743	If it were me, since the total wattage is almost doubling, I would start at 60% of full power in increase 5% per week, until you get it where you want it. Probably over kill, but from my experience corals can handle a drastic reduction in light better than a drastic increase. __________________ Mark Beware the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes it's a train. Current Tank Info: 120, LED, Bare Bottom, SPS/LPS

09/22/2014, 12:04 PM	#3
eric1115 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 26	Thanks for the reply. How much should I start with? Should I dim my white 50% and leave the blue 100% to start with? How much to increase each week?

09/22/2014, 12:12 PM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	one could assume that you are coming close to doubling power.. So one might suggest starting out at 50%.. However.. If your current lighting has enough output to fulfill the needs of your corals then you might not need to even come close to 100% on the 2 new fixtures as that might be "too much light".. Personally I would throw the 2 new ones on and just set them for 50% and leave it.. But only you will know the answer as only you can watch your coral and adapt..

09/22/2014, 12:18 PM	#6
eric1115 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 26	Again thanks for the response. I will start with 50% and see how the coral reacts to the new light. What will happen to the Corals if I slowly acclimates them to 100% even if it's too much light? Will it bleach them even if I acclimated them? Reason I am asking is because I want to start trying SPS in the tank and I know SPS needs higher light, which I imagine will requires me to get the lights to 100%?

09/22/2014, 06:13 PM	#7
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	You won't need 100% for SPS when you have 2 x 165W on only a 55G tank.. And yes too much light will just bleach them but you can "usually" just back down the light and they will come right back.. I'd just leave them at 50% and just see how it goes..

09/22/2014, 08:53 PM	#8
Mikesmith34 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 33	Yes the best answers. Have been given. You can overpower SPS in a big way. Go with the 50% answer and increase 5-10% a week. Watch yours corals they will tell you if you are advancing to fast.