Is 24" really that much of a difference when it comes to acclimating corals to light?

[mille239]

Is 24" really that much of a difference when it comes to acclimating corals to light?

What I mean is; the sun being 93 million miles away, and corals here on earth in our oceans range from right at the surface to several hundred feet down; Is the significance of a 2 foot range of depth in our aquarium make that much of a difference?

(And on the flip side; if our lights are 8" above or 15" above the tank, it that difference significant, compared to the distance the sun is from the earth?

(I know apples to oranges, but just curious)

 

[flyyyguy]

its a HUGE difference, as is every few inches you can move the light when you get closer to the water

google the "inverse square law" for a detailed explanation

the intensity of light changes in inverse proportion to the square of the distance

 

[mille239]

so are you saying in the ocean, moving a coral growing 24" under the surface to 6" would have almost no effect, whereas because the light source in the reef tank is so close to the surface it is a huge difference?

 

[Stupes]

Yes that is correct.

 

[potterjon]

Good answer!
Wikipedia explains it pretty well.

 

[frankpayne32]

You have to remember that while the sun is millions of miles of way the vast majority of that distance is through empty space, not through water and air.