Questions about new MH's

[schnutzzy]

Hi and thank you for any help in advance. I got my new MH's today (2) 250W 14k and wonder how I should adjust my lighting schedule. I only have basic corals right now like leather, colt, frogspawn and exinia. I have been running 4X65 coralife aqualunars 8 hours a day. How far down should I gear my lighting schedule so I don't burn everything up. The other question I have is about the ballasts. Did you lay them on the carpet, mount them on the wall or put them in the cabinet under the tank. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[reefforbrains]

I would mount them OUTside the stand so the heat underneath doesnt translate into the sump or the muggy conditions.
Screen works good for acclimation but its not really a must. You can use a couple layers of screen over the tank. Then every day or two take off a layer so the tank is getting full strength.
Easier to just put the new lighting up an extra ft or so over the tank. Might look a little goofey for first few days but it will prevent shock or sunburn. Just keep your same lighting schedule as normal but gradually drop the new MH lighting to finished spot over period of 3-4 steps closer and closer to the tank.

 

[schnutzzy]

Thanks for the in

fo