Acclimating coral to new light

[Luke Schnabel]

I just replaced my LEDs with a brand new ATI 60" 6x80watt T5 fixture. Im using 3x Blue Plus, 1 Actinic, 1 Purple Plus and 1 Coral Plus. The top of my rockwork was around 210 PAR WITH MY LEDs.
I checked the PAR today with the fixture hung at its max height and with the two bulb channel (Blue Plus and Actinic) PAR is 90 on top of rockwork. With all six bulbs on the PAR is 360 at the top of rockwork.
As of now my two bulb channel comes on at 10:00am and off at 10:00pm.
I really don't know exactly what to program the rest of the bulbs on the other channel so they don't nuke my coral.
How do you reccomend going about getting my corals adjusted to this higher PAR? When I had LEDs it was easy I just adjusted intensity. First time T5 newbie in need of help!

 

[ksc]

Cut your photoperiod by at least 50%. If you see any paling, retracting, etc., cut it by another 50%. You really only need full power for about 6 hours. If everything looks OK in a couple of weeks start increasing your photoperiod. You can also use window screening too.

 

[Luke Schnabel]

I was hoping to have 6-8hrs of full intensity with all bulbs on(End Goal). So your saying just cut it back to 4hrs for now and leave my two bulb channel the same(on for 12hrs)

 

[ksc]

What was your lighting schedule with the led's?

 

[Luke Schnabel]

This was my graph.

 

[Luke Schnabel]

Here is what I have so far.
Channel 1 (Blue Plus & Actinic)
10am-10pm
~90 PAR at top of reef
Channel 2 (2xBlue plus, Coral Plus, Purple Plus)
3:00pm-6:00pm
~360 PAR at top of reef.

 

[mfinn]

Use the old stand by for acclimating corals to stronger light and still keep a regular light schedule.
Cover the tank with eggcrate. Add 3-4 layers of window screen material. Remove 1 layer every 4-5 days.
Worked for many people in the past when we didn't have adjustable light fixtures. ( mh, T5, VHO )

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I wouldn't over think it an program etc. take out a tube or two.

 

[Luke Schnabel]

It's honestly a giant pain to take tubes out it how my tank is set up. The tank is built into the wall and I have about 3 feet on either side of it to remove the cover, which is 5 feet long . I thought about taking some out until I realized this problem.

I I'll have to try the screen method... your saying just set the programs to the times i like then adjust the PAR with the screens? Sounds easy enough.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

easy is good. imo.

 

[mfinn]

It's honestly a giant pain to take tubes out it how my tank is set up. The tank is built into the wall and I have about 3 feet on either side of it to remove the cover, which is 5 feet long . I thought about taking some out until I realized this problem.

I I'll have to try the screen method... your saying just set the programs to the times i like then adjust the PAR with the screens? Sounds easy enough.

It's what a lot of us used to do when going to stronger lighting, or even replacing old mh bulbs.