Sunburnt shark

[bellanavis]

I just recently got mh lights, and my poor shark is looking like he has a bad sun burn. He has caves he can go in and out of, and he is still eating and swimming around, but he has to be in pain. Is there anything I can do for him?

 

[elfdoctors]

How about sunscreen or noxzema???
The shark doesn't know that the light is causing its skin to hurt. It is not going to hide in a cave. I would recommend to decrease your photoperiod so the shark's skin has a chance to adjust without further significant damage.

 

[royalshrimp]

why would you have halides on a shark tank???:notsure:

 

[bellanavis]

My shark died.

 

[royalshrimp]

damn... sorry...:nope:

 

[bellanavis]

Now my green bird wrasse died.

 

[elfdoctors]

I have heard that a sudden increase in lighting can cause a surge in photosynthetic activity and by doing this deplete carbon dioxide (and bicarbonate). This can change your tank's pH. You should recheck your parameters including your total alkalinity/carbonates. You should also specifically check your pH shortly before the lights come on and before they go off to see if you are having big swings. Increasing buffers may be necessary if the pH varies too much.
Was anything else new to the tank besides the metal halides? Perhaps the metal halides were not the culprit.