Proper PAR levles for coral growth

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

I recently just watched a presentation by @Randy Holmes-Farley at the 2016 MACNA. I believe I have a fairly good understanding of the information that was presented. What my question is, does water depth have an impact on photosynthesis?

If I was wanting optimal growth from coral and so much worried about coloration, would 110 PAR. I know the Porites coral was in a tide pool in about 5" of water. I am sure that it would hard to monitor corals at deeper depths, but have any studies been done concerning the rate of photosynthesis at different water depths?

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[Nano sapiens]

Looks more like Dana Riddle's area of expertise.



Might want to post in R2R's lighting forum (headed by Dana Riddle)...

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

Looks more like Dana Riddle's area of expertise.



Might want to post in R2R's lighting forum (headed by Dana Riddle)...

I thought I did. I just saw his name and got excited lol. #MODS can you move this thread for me please?

 

[redfishbluefish]

Moved to Dana's Lighting forum per OP's request.

 

[Nano sapiens]

I recently just watched a presentation by @Randy Holmes-Farley at the 2016 MACNA. I believe I have a fairly good understanding of the information that was presented. What my question is, does water depth have an impact on photosynthesis?

If I was wanting optimal growth from coral and so much worried about coloration, would 110 PAR. I know the Porites coral was in a tide pool in about 5" of water. I am sure that it would hard to monitor corals at deeper depths, but have any studies been done concerning the rate of photosynthesis at different water depths?

1. What my question is, does water depth have an impact on photosynthesis?

Absolutely. Some photosynthetic corals have adaptations to use quite low light levels effectively, but many don't and require relatively higher light intensity levels to color up and do well. Really depends on the species/type.

Measuring rates of photosynthesis in the wild is a tall order. Typically, this is done in a lab type setting where light intensity and spectrum can be simulated to mimic various ocean reef depth levels.

This article came to mind where a number of different stony coral species are used to test various PAR levels (40-60, 125-150 and 275-325 μmol m-2 s-1 over a 69-day interval) using both LED and LEP:

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/2/aafeature

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

1. What my question is, does water depth have an impact on photosynthesis?

Absolutely. Some photosynthetic corals have adaptations to use quite low light levels effectively, but many don't and require relatively higher light intensity levels to color up and do well. Really depends on the species/type.

Measuring rates of photosynthesis in the wild is a tall order. Typically, this is done in a lab type setting where light intensity and spectrum can be simulated to mimic various ocean reef depth levels.

This article came to mind where a number of different stony coral species are used to test various PAR levels (40-60, 125-150 and 275-325 μmol m-2 s-1 over a 69-day interval) using both LED and LEP:

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/2/aafeature

Thank you. I will give the article a good read through.