Lights-Leaders-Lessons-Led's

siggy · Aug 22, 2017

Hello Dana
I am starting to build a 80 gallon shallow reef tank and researching lighting options for this second
tank which will be a frag grow out tank. I am primarily looking at the leaders of the industry
to see what lighting they are using to get those amazing results and colorations.
Joe @uniquecorals is going to Radions and yet I noticed another Premium supplier going back to T5's while @BoomCorals suggested SB reef lights, he sells some of the largest frags I have seen. Then of course several use Kessils while others use a combination of those supplemented with T5's.
Question: In your Lab using varying light methods
1. Were you able to discern coral health by easily obtained photosynthesis.
2. Corals take-up or usage of supplements
3. Growth rates short and long term
4. nuisance algae preference to lighting
I know that's a bit much but would be equally appreciated.

How is the lab coming along, I was looking for the build thread on that and would be cool to see.
I was also looking for the go-fund-me page to see if you still need a hand, someone needs to test the
ALK monitors that will be flooding the market. That's a hint to everyone else.

thanks for all the hard work

jsker · Aug 23, 2017

@Dana Riddle

Dana Riddle · Aug 23, 2017

The lab is incomplete but functional and it's almost time to fill the 90-gallon and sump. I'm taking my time and not rushing anything but it does try my patience (especially when looking at some really nice frags at the local shops.) But to answer some of your questions:
1.Photosynthesis rates can be determined with a PAM fluorometer. If we assume a high photosynthetic yields equals coral health, then yes I can do that.
2. The only testing I've done so far is an examination of low, normal, and high alkalinity concentrations on rates of photosynthesis. These results opened the flood gates on questions about effects of nutrients. So, for now, high alkalinity equals high rate of photosynthesis in Porites corals. This could be different in other coral genera due to the absence of external carbonic anhydrase enzymes.
3. Growth rates were examined under four different lighting scenarios. The lighting resembling the Kessil Tuna Blue lamp produced the highest growth rates, although the difference was deemed non-significant. These results were published in Advanced Aquarist and the 'custom lamp' mentioned in that article resembles the Kessil.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/4/corals
4. I suspect nutrient imbalances might affect algal growths more than spectrum. When doing the experiments referenced above, I spiked aquarium water with a lot of ammonium hydroxide in order for nitrification to naturally destroy alkalinity. The tank blossomed into a magnificent diatom culture within days but I did not repeat the experiment. But it is a fact that green, brown, and red algae have lighting spectral preferences. Another project... I have a tentative invite to present at the 2018 Las Vegas MACNA. Maybe lots of answers by then.