Changing lighting setup

[aimaike]

About 2 months ago I swapped out my 250W MH for 400s and added some additional actinics. Well, the bills are coming in now and wow, what a jump! When I made the switch to the 400s, I used some screen wrapped PVC over the course of about 1 1/2 weeks to acclimate them to the brighter lights. My question is strictly in terms of moving back down to the 250s, is there any sort of recommended acclimation period for moving to lower wattage lights? Current lighting period is just about 6 hours with the 400s.

Thanks,
Mark

[aquasport24]

That is a very good question Mark, because when i swtched from 400 back to 250s and did not do a acclimation period. I end up with 3 sps that had STN.

[hobogato]

you could try the exact opposite of what you did the first time..... with the 400s, start adding screen layers every so often until you have dropped the par down to about what it would be with the 250s, and then change em.

[aimaike]

That's pretty much exactly what I was thinking I should do, I just wanted some other opinions. Thanks.

[SaltyJim]

The question I have is not about the 400s but the Actinics you added. How much additional wattage did those add, and what about that photoperiod? You probably still have more light than you did originally, because of the additional actinics, so you shouldn't have to acclimate down for as long. Or, you can acclimate back down by varying the photo periods of all of your additional lighting and cutting back on the MH.

Personally, I think if you do it like you have thought, and as Ace recommended, you will lessen the chance of browning out.

[aimaike]

When I moved up to the 400s, I added 4 x 75W Super actinics that are on for 8 hrs/day, I think. I would have to check the controller to be sure. I know that they are on for less time than the 6 footers.