Like an acropora nana outta water

[avgjoe]

Here is a quick shot I took during a water change when this coral was exposed to the air.

If you look closely you'll notice part of this coral is experiencing a mild case of photo inhibition. It is currently about 3.5 inches from a 20K XM MH bulb. Just for the hell of it I tired a 10K XM bulb and this coral could never take the full intensity of the bulb no matter how slow I acclimated it. In fact, even at partial intensity it started to branch downward away from the light.

 

[thatguy]

Nice picture.

I have no idea what the subject means.

 

[Markk96]

Nice pic. Great looking coral.

 

[akrimmel]

agreed.

 

[Lost His Marbles Name]

My new 400w 10K XM's are kicking butt. My corals are going knutz and my plants by the tank are doing better.

 

[Phyto]

avgjoe; so your saying that this coral is responding negativley to the 10 K spectrum, and prefers the more blue, 20 K? Do you feel that most SPS prefer the 20 K ?
I was just curious. I am debating on a light setup for an SPS tank.

 

[avgjoe]

Phyto: what I meant was that the combination of the intensity of a 10K XM and the close proximity (3.5 inches) to this coral was too much for it to handle. The PAR which is what I’m referring to when I say intensity is more that twice as strong for a 10K XM vs. a 20K XM.

The 10K will give you better growth, but will not look as good as a 20K. Thus the reason that most people use actinics. However, if I were you I would consider going with a complete T5 setup. (More efficient, less heat, and more color options than MH.)

 

[Markk96]

That is the same coral you got from me correct?

 

[avgjoe]

Mark: yep

 

[Markk96]

This is the coral the frag came from. It was under 10K XM with 440w of VHO actinic.

 

[Phyto]

Thanks avgjoe, I have been thinking the same thing about the T-5s

 

[mpcart]

I have a frag from the same colony that is growing well under T-5's.

-Mike