new lights, should I shade?

**laurabolyard** · 08-19-2011, 04:11 PM

hey, my 3x250 watt bulbs were WAY old, really outlived their usefullness. They were 20k. I just got two 10k for the ends and a 20k for the middle. Do you think I need to shade, or just keep them on for fewer hours and use the flourescents for the remaining hours? Could it be a non issue since the wattage hasnt changed?

**laurabolyard** · 08-19-2011, 11:37 PM

anyone?

**CarmieJo** · 08-20-2011, 02:41 AM

Hey Laura! If your old bulbs were past their useful life they probably had lost PAR as well as color shifted. I'd probably shade them until you see how your corals react.

**laurabolyard** · 08-20-2011, 03:38 PM

yah, the corals that were left

I used to keep the halides on for 4-5 hrs, what do you think if I just bump it down to 2 or three and gradually increase?
BTW thanx for the relpy! How are you?

**CarmieJo** · 08-20-2011, 08:56 PM

Hey Laura, I'm good, just really busy with school. Christie, the exchange student we are hosting this year is really interested in marine biology so my tanks are getting more attention.

How are you?

I think that you could probably get away with running your lights for a shorter period. Just keep an eye on the corals.