xJake
Active member
Just reporting back to everyone about this theory. I have a couple interesting insights into this idea that I'd like to share...
I just went on spring break this past week to the Florida Keys. I went diving on a live rock farm and helped with seeding and collection. It was awesome, but what happened back at home is a bit more interesting in regard to this topic. I turned the lights back from 12 hours to 6 hours in an attempt to reduce algae growth and evaporation while I was away. As I stated earlier in the thread, I've been having issues with coral growth after increasing my photoperiod from 10 to 12 hours.
While I was in the Keys (Key Largo) I stayed at Dr. Bill Fitt's research lab on the coast. Dr. Fitt was generous enough to give a presentation to my group about his work with the coral reefs there, and it was during this that he brought up a very interesting point.
After over a decade of research, he has found a clear correlation between increased coral growth and reduced lighting and temperature. It was supposed to be just some preliminary research at first, but it produced some surprising results. According to one of the graphs he showed, coral biomass during the winter months (decreased light and temperature) increased to almost 3x the rate of growth during that of the summer months (increased light and temperature). Obviously the summer season is still very important, but I felt that it was an interesting piece of information.
So, when I returned, what did I find? Coral growth had increased by a very large margin. Frags that showed almost absolutely no signs of growth for months had "taken off" and were sprouting new branches all over. Virtually every frag has encrusted to the frag plugs a great deal, and I'm extremely excited to see everything doing so well.
I'll be heading over the lab later today with my camera. I'll take some photos and then put together some before and after shots.
I just went on spring break this past week to the Florida Keys. I went diving on a live rock farm and helped with seeding and collection. It was awesome, but what happened back at home is a bit more interesting in regard to this topic. I turned the lights back from 12 hours to 6 hours in an attempt to reduce algae growth and evaporation while I was away. As I stated earlier in the thread, I've been having issues with coral growth after increasing my photoperiod from 10 to 12 hours.
While I was in the Keys (Key Largo) I stayed at Dr. Bill Fitt's research lab on the coast. Dr. Fitt was generous enough to give a presentation to my group about his work with the coral reefs there, and it was during this that he brought up a very interesting point.
After over a decade of research, he has found a clear correlation between increased coral growth and reduced lighting and temperature. It was supposed to be just some preliminary research at first, but it produced some surprising results. According to one of the graphs he showed, coral biomass during the winter months (decreased light and temperature) increased to almost 3x the rate of growth during that of the summer months (increased light and temperature). Obviously the summer season is still very important, but I felt that it was an interesting piece of information.
So, when I returned, what did I find? Coral growth had increased by a very large margin. Frags that showed almost absolutely no signs of growth for months had "taken off" and were sprouting new branches all over. Virtually every frag has encrusted to the frag plugs a great deal, and I'm extremely excited to see everything doing so well.
I'll be heading over the lab later today with my camera. I'll take some photos and then put together some before and after shots.
