Need to change MH bulbs....what to do??

[9supratt4]

My bulbs are about to be a year old, so it's time to change them. They are 150W, 14K bulbs. Should I upgrade to 15K or 20K bulbs?? If so why??
Also, do I have to worry about acclimating the corals to the new bulbs??
I house a little of everything....SPS, LPS, Leathers, Zoas, etc.

 

[salt210]

you should acclimate them to the new bulbs as the old ones have lost power over the past year.
as for the temp go with what you like. do you want faster growth or more color in the corals?

 

[spanko]

Here is a little information.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/323790/radium-hqi-bulbs

 

[9supratt4]

I'd like more color.
All of my corals are mounted to rock, so how would I go about acclimating them?? I can raise my light fixture higher above the tank, if that would work??

 

[spanko]

IMO next time don't wait a year to replace your bulb. I normally replace mine at the 6-8 month mark. Why you ask?
The bulbs shift spectrum over time and this starts have adverse affects on the tank. Coral may start to change color, algae may start to grow. Also the acclimation issues arise the longer you let a HQI MH bulb burn. Then you put in a nice new fresh one and the coral can get "shocked" by the light and actually start to bleach. Better to change them sooner and not worry about the acclimation issues.
To acclimate the tank in this case you can get some normal window screen and put a few layers of it between the tank and the light. Then every few days take a layer off.
You could raise the light up and bring it back down over the course os several days.
You could reduce the photo period and then increase over several days.
Just my opinion let's see what others say.

 

[9supratt4]

spanko....those are some good points....and that probably can be why I have been getting more algae growth on my glass than normal with the same water conditions I've always had. And an outbreak of cyano (hate this stuff)!!
Are there differences between manufacturers?? I'm looking at bulbs made by Hamilton Technologies, Ushio and Phoenix.

 

[spanko]

From what I have read the differences seem to be in the amount and hue of the blue spectrum between manufacturers. Seems as though most people go with the 14k Phoenix or the 20k Radium.

 

[meowzer]

DON'T BUY HAMILTON!!!!!!!
LOL...I bought Hamiltons....they are yellow tint...I also have 1 Ushio which is whiter...YES, these are 10K, but I HATE THE HAMILTONS

 

[9supratt4]

Right now my lights are 4.5-5 inches off the water. When I install the new bulbs, how far should I raise the fixture?? Then how often should I move it down and how much??

 

[groupergenius]

Originally Posted by 9supratt4
http:///forum/post/3141288
spanko....those are some good points....and that probably can be why I have been getting more algae growth on my glass than normal with the same water conditions I've always had. And an outbreak of cyano (hate this stuff)!!
Are there differences between manufacturers?? I'm looking at bulbs made by Hamilton Technologies, Ushio and Phoenix.
Are we talking HQI or Mogul base bulbs? HQI---Phoenix 14K. Mogul---Radium 20K. Great growth and color with both.

 

[9supratt4]

I ordered the 14K Phoenix HQI.

 

[9supratt4]

Bulbs will be in very soon....anyone help with the distance to raise the fixture??

 

[truperc]

I just added a phoenix 14 k to my tank going from a 10 k bulb.
I love the new bulb.
The 10 k was on for 9 months before the change.
I did not light acclimate, but that is not saying you should do the same.
One thing to keep in mind, the bluer bulbs lose PAR faster.
Unless you buy a meter, you can never truly say the best time to change a bulb.
Each bulb/ballast combo will be different.

 

[9supratt4]

Originally Posted by TruPerc
http:///forum/post/3153337
I just added a phoenix 14 k to my tank going from a 10 k bulb.
I love the new bulb.
The 10 k was on for 9 months before the change.
I did not light acclimate, but that is not saying you should do the same.
One thing to keep in mind, the bluer bulbs lose PAR faster.
Unless you buy a meter, you can never truly say the best time to change a bulb.
Each bulb/ballast combo will be different.
I'm going from 14K to 14K so there shouldn't be any problem there. I'm just concerned that these bulbs are about a year old and I have a lot of SPS, so I don't want to shock, burn or bleach. So should I light acclimate?? If so how high should I raise my fixture and then how far should I lower it and how often?

 

[johnr2604]

Originally Posted by 9supratt4
http:///forum/post/3153377
I'm going from 14K to 14K so there shouldn't be any problem there. I'm just concerned that these bulbs are about a year old and I have a lot of SPS, so I don't want to shock, burn or bleach. So should I light acclimate?? If so how high should I raise my fixture and then how far should I lower it and how often?
I always just shorten the lighting period and then start bumping it back up over about 2 weeks