Lighting question
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Help
Forum Name: General Help
Forum Description: The place to ask about pest, problems, hitchhikers, etc.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46294
Printed Date: April 23 2024 at 6:52pm
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Topic: Lighting question
Posted By: SGH360
Subject: Lighting question
Date Posted: January 24 2011 at 11:56pm
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I got a few questions about lighting cycle. 1) Does the growth of coral is affected by how long the MH are turned on? ex. 6, 8, 10 hours will having longer turned on be beneficial to their growth? 2) Does having the actinic pc bulbs 2 hours earlier and 2 hours later after the MH cycle make the coral grow better? 3) Does having moonlights turned on during the night affect the coral growth? 4) Does having irregular light periods affect corals in any way? |
Replies:
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: January 25 2011 at 8:33am
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Here is my understanding of and experience with, the principles that answer your questions: - Photosynthesis in the symbiotic Zooxanthellae algae is what causes coral to grow. - Actinic/Blue light in the 400-500 nm range is what Zooxanthellae algae respond to the most. (brighter white light, like that coming from MH simply produce more intense blue light) - Within limits, any improvement in the intensity of illumination and/or extension of the photoperiod will result in more growth. - Moonlight/dim light does not interfere with, but neither does it help, during the nighttime hours. -Algae need a dark period of at least 6 hours for best growth. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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