14k---20k

[bkv1997]

Those are nice bulbs... a club member uses them...

I think you will be happy with them. Remeber to acclimate your corals slowly over a couple weeks to the new bulbs.

Let us know how it works out.
BV

[squibley2]

The acclimation of the corals will be a little tough they are currently in my 20G with 130W or PC lighting and they are going to be moved into my new 55 with 2 250W MHs running the Hamiltons. So the acclimation will take some time.

[bkv1997]

If you can raise the lights up real high then slowly lower them that is one way.

Another way is to put 3 or 4 pieces of screen between the lights and the tank and remove a piece every 5 to 7 days.

You can also adjust the photo period and add to it slowly, but this is personally my least favorite method.

Brandon

[squibley2]

Why is adjusting the photo period your least favorite method? I would have thought that, it would be the easiest to do and the hardest to mess up.

[minireefer]

I would guess that it is do to the fact you will get less enjoyment out of your tank with the lights out

[squibley2]

Not if you set the photo period at night and then add backwards.

[bkv1997]

Blocking some light or moving the lights further away changes the intensity of the light hitting the coral... changing the time only means it isn't getting blasted with a light 5 times stronger than it is use to for a long period of time.

Just my opinion. Either will work though.

[Ironman]

BKV is right, best bet is to shade with egg crate or something, and gradually work your way to full light. Raising the light is also a good option if you dont have a canopy. That really is alot of light for a 55, im assuming you have softies and lps, due to the current power compacts. They will be more sensitive to the light change. if possible keep all the corals on the bottom of the tank for the first week to.
I also run 250 watt halides, im on my second year with 14k hamiltons and love them. i run some vhos to but they dont change the look much. you will be very happy with them. they also have a good par rating.
Good luck and keep us posted

[jhnrb]

Some shading is needed when you change to mh. advice already given is correct. you may also need to lessen the photo period also depending on how you shade the corals. I prefer the plastic light diffuser cut to sit over the tank but under the bulbs and add several layers offset to diffuse the light and remove one every several weeks or so. (only way to explain it is it is like walking out of a movie theater in mid day and cant see a thing until your eyes adjust, well corals take longer to adjust. if not properly adjusted you risk burning the corals, having them bleach, or expell their Zooxanthellate. hope this helps.