Holy Old Posts Batman!
I wrote those responses before I read more intently into lighting.
Thanks for bringing up some great points!
Indeed, back then I did overestimate the value of Red (600+ nm) light as far as expecting more corals to use chlorophyll (and chlorophyll B).
Instead many corals rely upon other parts of the spectrum for photosynthesis "“ heavily weighted to the blue spectrum akin to how natural sunlight loses intensity and wavelengths as it is filtered at depths of the ocean.
More coral's will have lighting needs weighted toward the blue spectrum. HOWEVER, many many corals still use light right up to [and over] that 600nm mark [*1]
And for certain corals that have evolved to take advantage of higher light/chlorophyll (Yes some corals do still use chlorophyll A [*2]) you will not see full growth potential met unless you offer light over 600nm.
Again,
Not all corals need this light, and many can get by without it, but do not ignore the fact that many CAN use it"¦ and benefit greatly from the addition of this light.
It is also true, that an overabundance of "˜red' light [~650+ nm] can also lead to nuisance algae as well [*3] "“ this is why people steer others away from offering "œred" light [and why LED products like the Sol did so well commercially].
But go and put that chalice that's been sitting under a Sol under T5 (with 10k bulbs + Actinics) and you will see a vastly different coloration (I've seen it done at local LFS"¦).
Just because some corals don't use any "˜red' light, doesn't mean I should neglect the corals that do.
I find if your nutrients and other things are in check, you don't get a ridiculous spike in nuisance algae as some might suggest. <- My experience.
Crit21 "“ touché on point about LEDs and lenses, I mis-spoke as to the "˜lens' as the cause. My original point was that LED's have potential to offer most of the spectrum, but most LED's have a limited breadth of spectrum offered when in final product form (hence you're mixing and matching many different LED's to try to cover the "˜gaps' in spectrum inherent in simpler forms of this technology). IMO There are few LED products out there that did the research and offer good spectrums.
[quote="JPMagyar"] ReeferBatman I hope you are willing to take the criticism of your comments with the friendly intent it is given.[/quote]
Absolutely I'm always up for spirited discussion, if I didn't have them, I wouldn't expose myself to additional opinions and knowledge. :beer:
YOU DO NOT NEED 10000k lamps to "optimize" coral growth in a home reef.
True, you don't need any particular K of lamp, as long as you are still giving enough breadth of spectrum to meet corals needs. You can certainly make corals look pretty and sustain"¦ but don't neglect the fact that they COULD do better [their terms of energy production "“ not yours of looks pretty].
This is where the market gets misleading, as Kelvin is the overall appearance of the light, it doesn't neccesarily dictate the Par output. IE one 10k light can have a different par output than another 10k light.
They key here is "optimizing coral growth" for all coral types. It seems higly logical to me that optimal coral growth on an actual reef requires a broad spectrum of light, but it is most definitely NOT true with regards to the saltwater aquariums the vast majority
So we agree that to optimize corals growth "“ we must offer more of the spectrum than just blue.
However, your statement that most aquarists only want pretty tanks and are unconcerned with corals maximum potential - I find short-sighted.
[Paraphrased] Here's 2 pics from the internet of tanks, and here's ReeferBatmans
A) Nice grown out tanks with DSLR pics vs 6 month old frag tank with Cameraphone"¦ Not a hard challenge lol.
B) And you used my "˜full daylight' pic"¦ I have separate Blue fixtures for awesome night-time viewing.
C) I can take pretty pictures too"¦
D) The great part about this hobby is we can each do our own thing"¦ I think the growth I have seen speaks for me. Here's my Prizm Favia less than 1 year ago and the other day"¦
[Actinics on 1 year ago]
[Daytime lights on few days ago]
Now to throw more craziness into the equation"¦ just as some corals do use 600+nm light"¦ some can use 300-400nm UV light as well
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2217754&highlight=uv+light
This $heete be crazy!
Footnotes:
*1 =
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/7/aafeature1
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/6/aafeature2
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/aafeature1/
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/2/aafeature
*2 =
http://www.biolbull.org/content/135/1/141.short
http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v191/p53-69/
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00227-002-0866-x
*3 =
http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Chlorophyll_c
http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Chlorophyll_d
Have a good day!
:bounce3:
