Screen method for new lighting...

jamal-188 · 11/28/2006, 03:29 PM

Upgrading my tank from a crappy reflectors using 150 20K HQI's to lumen max 250w 10K HQI's. I don't want to kill my corals in the first two days so I'm going to do the screen method. So I'll stop at walmart and get a couple rolls of screen. How many layers should I do and how often do I remove one?

Fish'InMN · 11/28/2006, 04:40 PM

When I upgraded from PC to metal halide on my nano, I used four pieces of fiberglass screen. I removed one layer every four days; no loss of corals and the fish adjusted perfectly to the new light source.

You wouldn't happen be upgrading from a 150W HQI retrofit from Illuming, would you? I have one of these and although it is running well, the reflector does not cover nearly as much as I had hoped, even on a 15g tall tank!

Good luck with the upgrade.

jamal-188 · 11/28/2006, 04:44 PM

I shouldn't say crappy reflectors

It is an ESU fixture that has worked very well and I've been happy with it. My tank is just shaped funny becasue the front panel is wave shaped so one side is about 16 front to back and the other is 24" so the reflector didn't cover the larger side all that well... plut my tank is 24" deep.

jamal-188 · 12/06/2006, 10:18 AM

Anyone else? Started with 4 layers as suggested and will be taking the second one off tonight...

11/28/2006, 03:29 PM	#1
jamal-188 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,480	Screen method for new lighting... Upgrading my tank from a crappy reflectors using 150 20K HQI's to lumen max 250w 10K HQI's. I don't want to kill my corals in the first two days so I'm going to do the screen method. So I'll stop at walmart and get a couple rolls of screen. How many layers should I do and how often do I remove one?

11/28/2006, 04:40 PM	#2
Fish'InMN Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: MN Posts: 398	When I upgraded from PC to metal halide on my nano, I used four pieces of fiberglass screen. I removed one layer every four days; no loss of corals and the fish adjusted perfectly to the new light source. You wouldn't happen be upgrading from a 150W HQI retrofit from Illuming, would you? I have one of these and although it is running well, the reflector does not cover nearly as much as I had hoped, even on a 15g tall tank! Good luck with the upgrade.

11/28/2006, 04:44 PM	#3
jamal-188 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,480	I shouldn't say crappy reflectors It is an ESU fixture that has worked very well and I've been happy with it. My tank is just shaped funny becasue the front panel is wave shaped so one side is about 16 front to back and the other is 24" so the reflector didn't cover the larger side all that well... plut my tank is 24" deep.

12/06/2006, 10:18 AM	#4
jamal-188 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,480	Anyone else? Started with 4 layers as suggested and will be taking the second one off tonight...