Adding metal halide lighting...

NoIdeaWhatToDo · #1 01/26/2006, 06:14 PM

I have a 29 gallon tank that's been running for a few weeks. Right now just 30 lbs of live rock and about 40 lbs of sand. I have some yellow polyps and some green button polyps. I got lucky when I bought the rock from the LFS. As I started to figure out what I had I realized I don't have enough light. So the other day I saw someone selling a 175 watt MH setup and jumped on it. My question is, what's the best way to acclimate my polyps so that I don't fry them? Should I just start out w/ a little bit of light (1 hour or so) and build from there?

WaterKeeper · #2 01/26/2006, 06:26 PM

Hi NoIdea

To Reef Central

There are a couple of ways-

Raise the light about 8" above the tank and lower them about 2" each week
Place several pieces of nylon screen under the lights and remove some each week till gone
Reduce the photo period at first and gradually increase it over time

The last method is not the best as the specimens are still subject to full light from the start. The first two methods are better. Just make sure you don't get the screen too close to the MH lights or in will melt.

THE_PROPAGATOR · #3 01/26/2006, 06:28 PM

naw just move them lower in the tank and slowly move them to where they look comfortable. keep your normal light cycle.
they will do fine.
sounds like your off to A good start.

Happy reefin,Dan

EDIT:waterkeeper has some good ideas too I must of been typing while he was. lol either way is ok

NoIdeaWhatToDo · #4 01/26/2006, 07:00 PM

Thanks guys. I'll let you know how things go.