Why to keep "white" light
- Thread starter idan555
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Tripod1404
Active member
White light grows coral a lot better than blue light. Some high-end SPS corals will not grow or color up properly without white light. Warmer lights are known to grow corals much better in general.
LFS keep tanks only under blue light because it causes corals to look better. They rarely keep corals long enough for growth/health to matter anyways. The ones that do grow them often have off-hours growth lights.
LFS keep tanks only under blue light because it causes corals to look better. They rarely keep corals long enough for growth/health to matter anyways. The ones that do grow them often have off-hours growth lights.
thank you! I wasn't sure about it.
Jason fox says he only uses blue light, and I don't think anyone would say he has issues growing corals.
RioReefr
New member
The typical response will be something like this: "corals only use blue-light, white-light is just for human eyes". I have heard a number of people working at LFS that say this.
The reality is blue-light contains a wavelength (~ 490"“450 nm) that is broadly used by most corals for photosynthesis. Whereas white-light contains the whole spectrum of wavelengths. You need all wavelengths for optimal growth and color.
I suggest reading this article as it explains a lot:
https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/10/aafeature
The reality is blue-light contains a wavelength (~ 490"“450 nm) that is broadly used by most corals for photosynthesis. Whereas white-light contains the whole spectrum of wavelengths. You need all wavelengths for optimal growth and color.
I suggest reading this article as it explains a lot:
https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/10/aafeature
reefgeezer
Active member
Discussion on the "color" of light that is needed is difficult. The specimens kept, desired appearance, and other variables have to be considered. What do you intend to keep in the tank?
A little reading might help too. Google "PAR", "PUR", and "CRI" for reef tanks.
A little reading might help too. Google "PAR", "PUR", and "CRI" for reef tanks.
mcgyvr
New member
You can read articles till you are blue in the face (pun intended) 
Or save your sanity and do what you like..
If you like the look of an all blue/heavily blue tank then go for it.
Much of what a coral needs is in that "blue/violet" spectrum.. Some is not so there is some benefit to full spectrum vs blue only for most corals.. How much is in question..
I know that my corals don't extend FULLY when only the blue channel is on.. Likely just because I don't have "enough" blue..
If you are like many and don't like "Windex bottle" look or excessively acid trip associate with that then don't..
I personally can't stand an all blue look.. Its "unnatural" to me but I've never done any scuba past 50ft or so (yet)
Or save your sanity and do what you like..
If you like the look of an all blue/heavily blue tank then go for it.
Much of what a coral needs is in that "blue/violet" spectrum.. Some is not so there is some benefit to full spectrum vs blue only for most corals.. How much is in question..
I know that my corals don't extend FULLY when only the blue channel is on.. Likely just because I don't have "enough" blue..
If you are like many and don't like "Windex bottle" look or excessively acid trip associate with that then don't..
I personally can't stand an all blue look.. Its "unnatural" to me but I've never done any scuba past 50ft or so (yet)
WVfishguy
New member
Same here. I hate seeing only blue light in a reef tank.
davocean
Active member
Seems lately way too many people keep their tanks looking more like black light posters.
Many LFS especially, boosts color and sales.
At least some of our LFS here have a switch you can hit to turn on natural daylight lamps so you can see what you're really getting if you keep natural looking lighting.
Many LFS especially, boosts color and sales.
At least some of our LFS here have a switch you can hit to turn on natural daylight lamps so you can see what you're really getting if you keep natural looking lighting.
reefgeezer
Active member
I've seen tanks with blue light that look very good. Many of the the corals "glow" under the blue light. The effect is amazing. The key to these great tanks ins that the corals hide all the rock. You can't see the ugly blue/black looking rock structure very much. I have noted that the fish can be a little funky looking in these tanks, particularly the red & orange ones.
Since I could never get enough corals to cover the rock completely and I like red & orange fish, I chose a broader spectrum lighting system. While it is still heavy in violet & blue, there is also a little red present. Additional "White" light provides a natural look and fills in the gap between blue & red. I use LED's so dimming the color groups to get the look I like is pretty easy.
Since I could never get enough corals to cover the rock completely and I like red & orange fish, I chose a broader spectrum lighting system. While it is still heavy in violet & blue, there is also a little red present. Additional "White" light provides a natural look and fills in the gap between blue & red. I use LED's so dimming the color groups to get the look I like is pretty easy.
mcgyvr
New member
With ID pictures I always request people retake them when they have heavy amounts of blue..
Its really proper "color rendition" that suffers when heavily weighted to one narrow spectrum no matter what they is..
Proper color rendition can be important in proper identification..
Hence the "red/orange looking funky" comment above.. The colors are just washed out/distorted/eliminated,etc...
Things show up as a color because of the light they are bouncing back to our eyes..
Green lants look black in only red/blue light.. But thats really most of what they need to grow well..
So its a balancing act of what the organism needs vs what the one enjoying that organism from outside the tank likes...
Whatever floats your boat as long as you put the well being of the organism over your own enjoyment all will be fine.. You can't enjoy them for long if they die..
Its really proper "color rendition" that suffers when heavily weighted to one narrow spectrum no matter what they is..
Proper color rendition can be important in proper identification..
Hence the "red/orange looking funky" comment above.. The colors are just washed out/distorted/eliminated,etc...
Things show up as a color because of the light they are bouncing back to our eyes..
Green lants look black in only red/blue light.. But thats really most of what they need to grow well..
So its a balancing act of what the organism needs vs what the one enjoying that organism from outside the tank likes...
Whatever floats your boat as long as you put the well being of the organism over your own enjoyment all will be fine.. You can't enjoy them for long if they die..
