acclimating lights?

ASaleem91 · 11/12/2006, 02:58 PM

I have just gotten new lights and remembered that you had to slowly acclimate them so your livestock can get used to it. How should i acclimate them?

BadRambo · 11/12/2006, 03:02 PM

If you have livestock that is sensitive to major light power changes, use some type of diffusing layers between your lights and the water.

I had a similar situation some time back and used a couple of layers of frosted lucite to diffuse the light source for a week or so.

Just a thought that may work for you ---

Amador · 11/12/2006, 04:19 PM

Another trick is to cut out several layers of window screen and place that between the lights and your tank. Then every week you remove one layer.

ACBlinky · 11/12/2006, 05:22 PM

You can also gradually increase the photoperiod over time if the change is very great. I've got a new MH fixture and plan to start off running the T5 actinics for the full 10h photoperiod, but only turn the MH on for a few hours each day at first. Over a week or two I'll slowly increase it by a half hour or so every other day until the MH are on for 6-8h per day. for the first while I'm also going to diffuse the light with some plastic light diffuser panel - the corals will be going from PCs to 2x400MH, so I plan to acclimate them slowly to avoid shocking and bleaching them.

11/12/2006, 02:58 PM	#1
ASaleem91 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Centreville, Va Posts: 248	acclimating lights? I have just gotten new lights and remembered that you had to slowly acclimate them so your livestock can get used to it. How should i acclimate them? __________________ ASaleem91 "I'll believe it when I see it" Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Reef Tank

11/12/2006, 04:19 PM	#3
Amador Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 320	Another trick is to cut out several layers of window screen and place that between the lights and your tank. Then every week you remove one layer. __________________ Chris Current Tank Info: 125g AGA, 55g sump, 2x 250W MH, Mag 12, MSX 160, BB since 5/14/07

11/12/2006, 05:22 PM	#4
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	You can also gradually increase the photoperiod over time if the change is very great. I've got a new MH fixture and plan to start off running the T5 actinics for the full 10h photoperiod, but only turn the MH on for a few hours each day at first. Over a week or two I'll slowly increase it by a half hour or so every other day until the MH are on for 6-8h per day. for the first while I'm also going to diffuse the light with some plastic light diffuser panel - the corals will be going from PCs to 2x400MH, so I plan to acclimate them slowly to avoid shocking and bleaching them. __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

11/12/2006, 03:02 PM	#2
BadRambo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: California, USA Posts: 58	If you have livestock that is sensitive to major light power changes, use some type of diffusing layers between your lights and the water. I had a similar situation some time back and used a couple of layers of frosted lucite to diffuse the light source for a week or so. Just a thought that may work for you ---