Lighting Spectrum/Intensity Questions

[BamboozleBean]

Hey everyone,
I’m not sure if my light spectrum is best for my coral.

I have 2 and a half hours of actnics every day, at 100% Blue 50% red.
And about 5 and a half hours of 40% white, 100% Blue, 50% red, and 10% green.
Are these colors good for coral growth, or should I turn some colors up or down?
I’ve heard some say Blue is better for growth and colors, some say white is better for growth and colors.
What do you think?

 

[Nooooooooob1]

Hey everyone,
I’m not sure if my light spectrum is best for my coral.

I have 2 and a half hours of actnics every day, at 100% Blue 50% red.
And about 5 and a half hours of 40% white, 100% Blue, 50% red, and 10% green.
Are these colors good for coral growth, or should I turn some colors up or down?
I’ve heard some say Blue is better for growth and colors, some say white is better for growth and colors.
What do you think?

Whites and reds grow algae. You want mostly blues in the 400-470 nm range I believe. The corals really only need blue. The whites are mostly just for our eyes so everything looks more natural. I would turn down your whites and reds some and extend your blue photoperiod up to 8-10 hours.

BRS has a lot of good videos on this stuff

 

[Bpb]

With all due respect there is alot of misinformation in that post. Blue light will grow algae just as well, as algae uses blue light for photosynthesis. Red light isnt useless in corals as it will help in developing certain color pigments that will ultimately fade away in a blue only environment.

The thing to remember about light and coral development (especially color), is that there is more going on than simply chloraphyll A. Alot more. There are uses for the complete spectrum metabolically. It's like saying a human can survive on meat alone. Yes, you will survive, but you will be healthier with a balanced diet. Same goes with light and corals. Blue only may keep them alive, but a full spectrum will make them happier.

Don't mistake me, I'm not saying blue light is unimportant, or that red light is MORE important. Blue light from 400-500 nm is obviously the MOST important spectral range for photosynthetic activity. I'm simply saying, the coral will make use of wavelengths outside of that range.

Don't be afraid of algae. Algae is not a result of too much white light, nor is it a result of elevated N&P. Algae is a result of too few herbivores.

 

[Nooooooooob1]

With all due respect there is alot of misinformation in that post. Blue light will grow algae just as well, as algae uses blue light for photosynthesis. Red light isnt useless in corals as it will help in developing certain color pigments that will ultimately fade away in a blue only environment.

The thing to remember about light and coral development (especially color), is that there is more going on than simply chloraphyll A. Alot more. There are uses for the complete spectrum metabolically. It's like saying a human can survive on meat alone. Yes, you will survive, but you will be healthier with a balanced diet. Same goes with light and corals. Blue only may keep them alive, but a full spectrum will make them happier.

Don't mistake me, I'm not saying blue light is unimportant, or that red light is MORE important. Blue light from 400-500 nm is obviously the MOST important spectral range for photosynthetic activity. I'm simply saying, the coral will make use of wavelengths outside of that range.

Don't be afraid of algae. Algae is not a result of too much white light, nor is it a result of elevated N&P. Algae is a result of too few herbivores.

Thanks for clearing that up. Great info.