Sorry about the post above... I Got caught in the dreaded backup While editing that post and admin wouldnt let me finish during reboot so it got left incomplete.. Anyways...
Below is the link about coloration of SPS, Also, Here is a quote about astaxanthins just to whet your whistle, its good reading!
"And most notable is the fact that although unclassified or unnamed, most corals and invertebrates seem to have predominant coloration due to the presence of one or more pigments called astaxanthins. And, they all obtain these pigment produced colors from their diet. "
http://www.reefs.org/library/aquarium_net/0597/0597_2.html
Here is the EBAY sale for the Coral powder that contains astaxanthins
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...tToStoreCat&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget
Lastly what about the relationship of UV light emissions of HQI/Halides compared to UV output of T5, and how they might effect the COLORATION of Corals? esp.. SPS?
I think this was asked somewhat before, But do T5s generate ANY UV light? Also, Im wondering about the Effects of the Correct UV radiation produced by halides compared to T5 and how it might EFFECT coloration? Could it be that the corals in Halide Tanks, are generating the pigments from the Zoox as PROTECTION from different spectrums of UV light found mainly in HALIDE tanks? mmmm
We all know that Halides produce UV light, and that the glass helps protect the animals and corals from overexposure to the harmful amounts, yet allowing some to pass.. Maybe its a stupid question, just wondered if T5s even produce ANY UV light at all?? Any harmful UV? and does the 03s (which I really like the look of) produce MORE UV light than the other spectrums? Do the 3000k produce even more? as they lower down the spectrum?
Im assuming T5's and other flourescents can, as i think they are used in tanning booths.. etc.. hehe.. I just wonder how much our T5s in the various configuration and colors are producing any if at all UV? and what this might have to do with coloration of our corals fading/browning? compared to halide tanks.
but seems to me I have ALSO seen brown corals in HQI/HALIDE tanks though too.. hehehe
One other interesting thing Borneman said in the link above on coloration was that the coral might be feeding on its OWN zoox SOLEY when underfed, thus turning them brown? Also interesting.
Lastly I like Grim's idea about moving a frag BACK into a Halide TANk, but I think an even better test would be to take a HALIDE TANK with GREAT COLORS, and REPLACE it with all T5s and see what happens to the corals. Change NOTHING but the lights, and if possible do NOTHING else different during the TEST..and watch what happens to the corals. This would sorta eliminate the other variables as the causes that might be found in other's tanks when removing the frag BACK to a Halide tank as Grim Suggested.. ie, nutrients, current, husbandry being the cause of fading, browning, because the ONLY difference is the change in lighting.
In other words it might just be nutrients in the Halide tank and the presence of UV light found in the Halides only, causing the corals to color up nice and dark. Would also sorta eliminate nutrients as the SOLE reason (kinda) as the nutrient levels dont change, only the lighting.
Also how are the rest of you coming along with your experiments with the T5s combos and have any of you gone back the Halides?
Here is the link to the 20k T5s Im thinking about trying one.
http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/subsubcategorypage.asp?subcatindexid=lt-t5-tb&offset=0
