Alternating intensity

[Joedubyk]

I saw somewhere some folks were seeing good things by alternating intensity every other hour... For example 90 1 hour 70 the next. Theory being corals getting blasted, then recovering, then getting blasted.... Anyone currently doing this?

 

[bbgobie]

Indo this, maybe not to that amount of difference. I modify the spectrum a bit between hours as well. Can't say if it's working better than something more like steady sunrise to sunset. But it is working for me so probably won't look to change

 

[bubbasguppies]

I have done this for years with great results on my led programming schedules. Some controllers offer this as weather simulation but I haven't really noticed it when set to that. Because I use the Reef Angel Controller I was able to set GPS location of where I wanted to simulate the natural sunrise and sunset times as well as weather patterns that do actually give your corals "Respiration Periods" by dimming automatically.

With my AI Prime HD's I've tried to simulate that as well.

 

[bubbasguppies]

If you're running AI I have a folder of preset already saved for anyone to download and use. Labels are default from how I received them.

AI Profile Settings - Google Drive

 

[BraxtonF]

Ive never tried this but it would make sense, might have to do some research on it

 

[bubbasguppies]

Ive never tried this but it would make sense, might have to do some research on it

If you look at from my perspective as well as a few others...mainly ledguru on RC. Corals in the wild do not receive constant sunlight. Sure there are clear days. But most often those other days have varying degrees of cloud cover.

One day on my custom led unit using led pucks from reefll.com I noticed that my tank looked dim....it was due to the nature and intensity of the weather patterns that I have selected. Partially through the day I even had lightning strikes of varying degrees as well...

 

[Joedubyk]

If you look at from my perspective as well as a few others...mainly ledguru on RC. Corals in the wild do not receive constant sunlight. Sure there are clear days. But most often those other days have varying degrees of cloud cover.

One day on my custom led unit using led pucks from reefll.com I noticed that my tank looked dim....it was due to the nature and intensity of the weather patterns that I have selected. Partially through the day I even had lightning strikes of varying degrees as well...

Here's mine

 

[Dana Riddle]

This 'zig-zag' pattern get attention every now and then. This is the background:
Some corals (or correctly, their zooxanthella species or clade) tolerate high light intensity. Some do not. The analogy: Go to your local plant nursey. Plants are labeled 'sun', 'shade', etc. Although these plants might survive conditions outside that preferred, they will not thrive.
Photosaturation: When increasing the amount of light will not increase the plant of photosynthesis.
Chronic Photoinhibition: When damage occurs to the coral/zooxanthellae when exposed to too much light.
If your coral is not tolerant of high light and it is receiving too much, the zig-zag could be of benefit. If your coral is not receiving enough light, the zig-zag pattern could be harmful.
Personally, I belive this pattern to be a gimmick. Solution: Maintain light intensity at a PAR value of 150 -200 at the bottom of the tank. Place low light corals (chalices at the bottom) and highly-adaptable corals (such as most Acroporas) higher in the tank.

 

[Joedubyk]

This 'zig-zag' pattern get attention every now and then. This is the background:
Some corals (or correctly, their zooxanthella species or clade) tolerate high light intensity. Some do not. The analogy: Go to your local plant nursey. Plants are labeled 'sun', 'shade', etc. Although these plants might survive conditions outside that preferred, they will not thrive.
Photosaturation: When increasing the amount of light will not increase the plant of photosynthesis.
Chronic Photoinhibition: When damage occurs to the coral/zooxanthellae when exposed to too much light.
If your coral is not tolerant of high light and it is receiving too much, the zig-zag could be of benefit. If your coral is not receiving enough light, the zig-zag pattern could be harmful.
Personally, I belive this pattern to be a gimmick. Solution: Maintain light intensity at a PAR value of 150 -200 at the bottom of the tank. Place low light corals (chalices at the bottom) and highly-adaptable corals (such as most Acroporas) higher in the tank.

Thank you!