Do Corals Get Tired?

[jml1149]

Good Morning All


Just curious, trying to dial in the intensity of my two Kessil A160WE's over my 29g LPS tank.


It seems, at midday or so, all of my euphyllia corals are bright and puffy, but towards the end of the lighting cycle, they tend to shrink down a bit like they're tired. I (now) use the Apex seasons table for lighting, and I'd like to continue to do so.

Does this "lethargy" at the end signify the corals are getting too much light? Would it be wise to knock down the intensity a bit?


The lighting schedule is as follows, using the Apex default seasons table:


1 hr. ramp from 0-65% intensity
Kessil season on time with random weather to 55%
1 hr. ramp from 65%-0 intensity
3 LED moonlight also following the apex moon schedule.

The kessil color follows the same pattern, from 0-45% color on sunrise
stays at 45% color
1 hour ramp down from 0-45% color following the same schedule.


The 45% color is my preference, I really enjoy the pop of the blue. And it seems to have helped with some algae issues as well.


As always, any help or thoughts greatly appreciated!!

 

[Reef Frog]

Many corals exhibit heliotropic or phototropic behaviors. For example scolys start to puff up and extend their feeding tentacles just before lights out. Goniopora seem to perk up and their tentacles seem to peek out a hour or so before sunrise. Some SPS polyps retract some at night. Sometimes this response is modified if there is plentiful planktonic sized food present. But many corals seem to use the light - dark period to regulate their behavior even if it's on a different schedule to natural cycles found in their home environment. I've never really notice it happen with euphyllia but it's quite possible.

 

[Sk8r]

I note that when I get a new coral in, some will remain closed until about the local shop opening. Same with fish activity.

 

[thelawnwrangler]

I note that when I get a new coral in, some will remain closed until about the local shop opening. Same with fish activity.

I saw some people say they turn lights off occasionally for a day

do you do this? In theory there are cloudy days lol

 

[davocean]

I think more so since you are talking about soft corals is how much light they are receiving, expanding surface area would increase light intake, and those kessils are projecting pretty strong light, they may be shrinking up later not feeling such need for light.
I notice the same thing w/ sea anemone's, they will stretch out much more increasing that surface area under light that is weaker than what they should be under, and tighten up under stronger light.

 

[davocean]

I saw some people say they turn lights off occasionally for a day

do you do this? In theory there are cloudy days lol

Some people do or have done this in an effort to decrease some nuissance algae issues.