kevlow
Active Member
After reading some of the other threads in this section, I decided to make a small change in my lighting. I am always uneasy about most changes anyway, but I am already planning a big addition this weekend of adding a second light unit. This will double my volume of light and hopefully reduce shading and coverage.
I currently have a 32" SB Reef Light with blue channel at 100% and whites at 50%. I like about a 14k look. My par is about 375-450 for most of my SP's corals.
I reduced the blues to 75% and raised the whites to 60%. Changed the look to about a 10k appearance.
I am surprised at the results on the coral in just two days. I have not yet borrowed a par meter to measure the actual change but I think par increased.
A few pieces that looked OK but not doing much, made immediate response. Acro frag that recently came from a MH tank shifted color from bland orange to bright red coralites. Also appears to have increased it's growth rate on it's new arms. Several other pieces showing the same shift towards the warm shades. Most of the sps have a more lively appearance with tiny new polyps beginning to show.
One piece, a spaeth with orange skin and yellow highlights appears to show some stress and a more pale appearance. This one may need to be moved.
I am generally surprised that such a small change produced such immediate and visible results. I am not sure why a slight change in spectrum percentage would bring out new polyps but clearly they like what they are getting.
I was planning to spend the rest of the day hanging the additional lighting but now I might reconsider.
I currently have a 32" SB Reef Light with blue channel at 100% and whites at 50%. I like about a 14k look. My par is about 375-450 for most of my SP's corals.
I reduced the blues to 75% and raised the whites to 60%. Changed the look to about a 10k appearance.
I am surprised at the results on the coral in just two days. I have not yet borrowed a par meter to measure the actual change but I think par increased.
A few pieces that looked OK but not doing much, made immediate response. Acro frag that recently came from a MH tank shifted color from bland orange to bright red coralites. Also appears to have increased it's growth rate on it's new arms. Several other pieces showing the same shift towards the warm shades. Most of the sps have a more lively appearance with tiny new polyps beginning to show.
One piece, a spaeth with orange skin and yellow highlights appears to show some stress and a more pale appearance. This one may need to be moved.
I am generally surprised that such a small change produced such immediate and visible results. I am not sure why a slight change in spectrum percentage would bring out new polyps but clearly they like what they are getting.
I was planning to spend the rest of the day hanging the additional lighting but now I might reconsider.
