Optimizing photoperiod.

[JPMagyar]

So over the years I have read many, many articles and posts regarding photoperiod. Clearly there is a point of too much daylight and there is a point of too little. Recently, I have started a new hobby of growing a Bonsai tree and as part of that process I have found that there is much scientific research showing that 8 to 10 hours is optimum for tropical plants including many Bonsai trees. My personal experience in reefing was leaning towards 8 hours as optimum, but in the last year or so I was approaching 6 hours of max lighting. About 3 months back I returned to 8 hours of full light, and I do think I am seeing better growth and color in birds nest coral and my Copps blue frag. Could it be that corals are like tropical plants and prefer 8 to 10 hours of high light?

Just wondering what is the latest thinking of my fellow reefers on the topic of optimum photoperiod. I have a sense that most folks are using way less than 8 hours of peak lighting, and I know that works I'm just wondering if less is well . . . less.

 

[msaba]

Hmmm, I don't have enough experience to make an assertion, but I have been wondering how photoperiod and photo intensity interact in this regard. I'm tagging along here!

Mark

 

[itz frank]

I would be willing to bet that "optimal" is equivalent to the amount of sunlight a species encounters in its natural habitat. Thus, natural selection...evolution..etc

 

[Wazzel]

I think it is light source dependant. When ran MH/VHO I found my best results to be 12 actinic and 7 hours MH. When I did VHO only it was 12 hours. Now with my LEDs I am running 14 hours total made up of 5 hour ramps and 4 hours of max intensity.

 

[Ostentum]

I will have to look for the article. Most acropora reach their photoperiod saturation on 6.5 hrs If I remember right. Coral health is as much dependent on flow and diet as light

 

[toothman]

really depends how much par your fixture is putting out.

 

[Dartolution]

I agree with the above post pointing out the relationship between "optimal lighting" and what the species experiences in its natural habitat.

Since most tropical coral reefs are located around the equator where there is a 12 hr day/night cycle, and factoring in the loss of usable PAR/light penetration toward the early and late hours of the day, I myself have come up with a 10 hour max photoperiod for "tropical" species mainly consisting of those seen in the indo pacific and Australia.

Just my 2cents

 

[Fredfish]

I think it is light source dependant. When ran MH/VHO I found my best results to be 12 actinic and 7 hours MH. When I did VHO only it was 12 hours. Now with my LEDs I am running 14 hours total made up of 5 hour ramps and 4 hours of max intensity.

More likely photon density and quality dependent. I'm pretty sure photons have no idea what their source is.

 

[trueblackpercula]

Well I thought it was just me, But I lowered my lighting photo period from 14 hours to 8 thinking 14 was too much. Well I quickly learned that 8 hours was not enough as my SPS got lighter. So I went back to 14 hours of light and my SPS bounced right back. The only thing I did a little differently was I lowered the intensity from 100% to about 72% and everything looks amazing. But I must also note that my project has many set point with different color spectriums throughout the day.

By the way I love Bonsai and have kept them many times with the end result in a dead bonsai. The reason I failed at them is they need water every couple days and I get so busy I forget to feed them. They also rely need to be outdoors and keeping them inside is the only way in NY as winter kills them,Unless they are every greens. The only one I like to keep is serrisa fotidia thousand stars, good luck with it

 

[EvMiBo]

By the way I love Bonsai and have kept them many times with the end result in a dead bonsai. The reason I failed at them is they need water every couple days and I get so busy I forget to feed them. They also rely need to be outdoors and keeping them inside is the only way in NY as winter kills them,Unless they are every greens. The only one I like to keep is serrisa fotidia thousand stars, good luck with it

FWIW, There are several top class bonsai kept outdoors year round in NY, many of which are deciduous. Indoor bonsai, in most cases, will eventually dwindle and die, regardless if you forget to water. Although, there are some species that will be okay indoors, but you cannot expect much out of them from a design and development standpoint. In nature, trees grow ideally outside - it's no different in the art of bonsai.