Do metal halide lights harm soft corals?

Discussion in 'Coral' started by fish addict, May 31, 2009.

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  1. fish addict

    fish addict Spaghetti Worm

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    I was wondering cus i have soft corals now and i want to get hard but i t-5 now and will it hurt my soft coral once i get metal halide lights?:confused:
     
    fish addict, May 31, 2009
    fish addict, May 31, 2009
    #1

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  2. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

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    You will need to acclimate the corals from T5's to MH. Luna
     
    lunatik_69, May 31, 2009
    lunatik_69, May 31, 2009
    #2
  3. fish addict

    fish addict Spaghetti Worm

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    how do i do that?
     
    fish addict, May 31, 2009
    fish addict, May 31, 2009
    #3
  4. Optimist

    Optimist Peppermint Shrimp

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    Either start off with the lights high and lower the lights closer to were you will keep them day by day or lower the corals and raise them... which really you'd want them low anyway. So, the first method is better.
     
    Optimist, May 31, 2009
    Optimist, May 31, 2009
    #4
  5. fish addict

    fish addict Spaghetti Worm

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    will it kill my soft corals if i dont acclimate?
     
    fish addict, May 31, 2009
    fish addict, May 31, 2009
    #5
  6. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

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    By cutting down on the lighting period(LP). For ex., start the LP at 4-6 hrs a day for a week or so. Add one hr per week until you hit your desired LP. Luna
     
    lunatik_69, May 31, 2009
    lunatik_69, May 31, 2009
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  7. rewris

    rewris Skunk Shrimp

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    What I've read on here is that they'll suffer light shock, i.e. close up or bleach out.
     
    rewris, May 31, 2009
    rewris, May 31, 2009
    #7
  8. Peredhil

    Peredhil Giant Squid

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    This is how I would do it... seems easier to me.

    That's what I've read too. If you only have a few mushrooms, I wouldn't worry about it. But if you have a good amount of coral or anything, I would take the time to acclimate by one of the methods listed.
     
    Peredhil, May 31, 2009
    Peredhil, May 31, 2009
    #8
  9. the fisherman

    the fisherman Vlamingii Tang

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    not to be blunt, but just do as optimist said and you will be fine
     
    the fisherman, May 31, 2009
    the fisherman, May 31, 2009
    #9
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  10. Optimist

    Optimist Peppermint Shrimp

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    True... either way if you have something you wanna keep, I'd acclimate.
    Can't go throwing you out in the Florida sun straight out of the New York winters.
    Almost everything you buy that is alive it affected by the lighting.
    Shorter photo period is another way like Luna says but it's still INTENSE light for those couple hours. You can do it either way.
    k+ Luna
     
    Optimist, May 31, 2009
    Optimist, May 31, 2009
    #10
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