lighting
- Thread starter MM WI
- Start date
dbartkow
New member
Nice tank (and nice pictures). From your readings, that's certainly a strong case that PCs can support a crocea clam as long as it's placed close enough to the lights. Granted, you usually don't want to put a clam up too high on the rockwork simply because they're much more attractive if you're looking down on them. I took some PAR readings off a friend's tank with a single 150w HQI, and I don't think he was getting much (if any) better PAR. Again, I'll have to go back and check my records.
MM WI
New member
I have been away from RC for a while, I really like how this subject evolved. I agree with most of what was said. The only comment I would feel I need to throw into the mix is that the PAR reading is a useful tool but is not the whole picture. The comment that actinics do not do much more than make things look pretty in particularly suggest that the PAR value is the whole picture. Full spectrum light is important, and different corals and clams even of the same species will respond differently to different parts of the spectrum. They will also adapt to the intensity and spectrum they are kept under if it remains consistent. I doubt I will ever take a PAR reading. I observe the animals and make decisions as to whether to make changes in intensity or spectrum timing or position of animals in the tank based solely on observation of growth, color, behavior. I believe that the actinic lighting is a very important supplement for the broad spectrum daylight bulbs and is very beneficial for many corals, anemones and clams. The equipment would be expensive but the whole picture would be a plot of intensity vs wavelength at different depths combined with observations on growth, color and behavior. For a clam color and behavior are as important an observation on health as growth. - Mark
I'm glad you said that, MM WI, because you're absolutely correct. We use PAR because it's about the best tool we have for objective measurements. As you said, though, there are many other factors, and not all photosynthetic organisms respond equally to the same frequencies of light. A PAR meter is never a substituted for experience and common sense. It is just another bit of information that can help, but should never be the only piece of information you're working with.
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