Replacement MH Lamps

Chrsnwk · 04/25/2006, 09:09 AM

Greetings -

I'm long overdue on replacing the "Ushio" 175W 10K MH lamps on my reef, and the new lamps are scheduled to arrive today. I use ARO electronic ballasts for all the halide lighting. I know it's a bad idea to simply replace the old with the new as it will shock whatever is under them. My question is what's the preferred way to acclimate the reef to the more intense lighting? The tank is an AGA 125 and the lamps in question are each above the left/right "third" of the tank. A different lamp ("XM" 250W 15K) that's not being replaced is in the middle. Each halide is on a separate timer and are currently set for a photo period of ~8-9 hours. (the 3 lights power up/down in sequence from left to right so the total MH photo period is about 11 hours)

Should I reduce then increase gradually the photo period of the new lights, or partially block their output, then reduce the obstruction, or some combination of the two methods?

jimmer · 04/25/2006, 10:01 AM

either way should work fine.when i change mine out i ramp the time they are on.ive read that you can buy pieces of screen then remove them one at a time to let more light in but why waste the money and have more things laying around?either method works tho.good luck
jimmer

eugeneK · 04/27/2006, 12:04 AM

whats the average life on an hqi bulb? mine are nearing 7months i think and i seem to be loosing some collor on some bottom corals

04/25/2006, 09:09 AM	#1
Chrsnwk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 629	Replacement MH Lamps Greetings - I'm long overdue on replacing the "Ushio" 175W 10K MH lamps on my reef, and the new lamps are scheduled to arrive today. I use ARO electronic ballasts for all the halide lighting. I know it's a bad idea to simply replace the old with the new as it will shock whatever is under them. My question is what's the preferred way to acclimate the reef to the more intense lighting? The tank is an AGA 125 and the lamps in question are each above the left/right "third" of the tank. A different lamp ("XM" 250W 15K) that's not being replaced is in the middle. Each halide is on a separate timer and are currently set for a photo period of ~8-9 hours. (the 3 lights power up/down in sequence from left to right so the total MH photo period is about 11 hours) Should I reduce then increase gradually the photo period of the new lights, or partially block their output, then reduce the obstruction, or some combination of the two methods?

04/25/2006, 10:01 AM	#2
jimmer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: hilton ny Posts: 1,875	either way should work fine.when i change mine out i ramp the time they are on.ive read that you can buy pieces of screen then remove them one at a time to let more light in but why waste the money and have more things laying around?either method works tho.good luck jimmer __________________ stupid people shouldn't breed Current Tank Info: 75 gallon with stupid goldfish

04/27/2006, 12:04 AM	#3
eugeneK slacker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: W Irondequoit, NY Posts: 543	whats the average life on an hqi bulb? mine are nearing 7months i think and i seem to be loosing some collor on some bottom corals __________________ In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on. -Robert Frost Current Tank Info: 55G