Changing Lights/Acclimation Process

[texhorns98]

I've searched around, but couldn't find anything that gave advice on how to switch over from T5 to MH.

My T5 fixture had a problem and it blew a few of my bulbs. I've been wanting to go halide for a while now, so I'm finally doing it. I'll be going from 6x54 to 2x150HQI and 4x54. I've thought about splitting the T5s into pure actinic and also actinic+ or something else that could sustain some growth. That way, I could maintain a nice color and keep corals stable even if I need to kill the halides for some reason. I'll play around with it!

So how do you acclimate everything to the power of MH? Tank is 25 inches deep and mainly has LPS and a few softies.

 

[cr500_af]

When I went from 6x54 to 2x250, I just shortened my photoperiod from 8 to 5.5 hours, and added a half hour every other day until back to 8.

There was no science involved in it, I just kind of winged it... but I had no issues.

 

[texhorns98]

I might even go a little more conservative than that. Any thoughts on the T5 combination? Or should I leave them at true actinic?

 

[cr500_af]

I think you have plenty of power with the MHs, I'd let color choose for me.