Light Intensity/duration/frequency

[jimnrose]

I'm just starting to introduce LPS's, SPS's and mustrooms and have a 125g (16" deep) display with LED lights. This technology allows for adjusting the intesity, columnating the light, selecting a freq mix (soft white/royal blue LED's as well as varying the time intervals (12 zones).

Is there any data on how time influences the corals for specific light levels?
Reqording the question: if the light level is inadequate (inadeqate lumens) can the location be shifted to favor another frequency (either by optics or elevating the coral or changing position)?

Also how does time enter into the coral's absorbtion of the light energy? Will increasing the time duration compensate for inadequate light intensity? Do all corals absorb more energy in the blue spectrum vs multiple wavelenghts (white spectrum)?

There are so many questions that come to mind and I'm sure all corals may not respond equally. But here goes: howlong does it take for a coral to respond to a change in light conditions? If I move a coral or change the light level should I wait an hour or a day to observe the reaction time?

HELP, Jim

 

[nickandkara]

I can usually tell within a day or two whether or not I have place the coral in the right spot. You will see a color shift in the coral or it won't "open". If it bleaching or trying to move away from the light I will lower it. If it looks like it is "over extending" then I usually move it up. You will get a feel for it and don't worry they will generally not die overnight by being placed in the wrong spot.

 

[jimnrose]

Thanks for the input. It hasn't done anything yet, but I'll keep watching. I thought my water parameters were OK but did a water change today and checked the parameters only to find out I have a little amonia (0.25), so that may the problem. I'll run the skimmer and be careful with the feeding plus check the amonia daily. Jim