Simulated weather - benefit or gimmick?

[aumoenoav]

Any experience with benefits from weather simulation on lamps? Im running 3x GHL Mitras that has simulation of clouds, rain, thunderstorms and weather patterns like that. I never used them before, but I see the theory of simulating real ocens, also I could see a benefit of clouds where the coral doesnt get a constant light the whole day. Anyone done testing if its beneficial for the coral or just plain gimmick that does nothing but harm?

 

[Scurvy]

I haven’t done any real testing but I do run 10 - 15 minute intervals of clouds over two of my tanks. So 10 minutes of every hour the intensity drops by roughly half. I have seen no ill affect and visually I like the affect of cloud cover. I do skip the lightning affects, I find it scares the fish.

 

[HiddenUser]

I think it's more gimmick then anything else. It does get your attention though when it's advertise as having the capabilities of simulating lightning or clouds. I've never used those functions with my Radions. I know that if I modify the programming of my Radions, the fish freak out when the lights reset, so I can't imagine that lightning does anything good unless you're trying to show off and scare your fish at the same time.

Most of that stuff didn't even exist until LEDs and there are plenty of extremely successful tanks run under T5 and Halides.

 

[landlubber]

as far as I know, a lunar cycle has purpose to it but a thunderstorm effect doesn't. either way, if the effects are cool to you enjoy them!

 

[aumoenoav]

Thunderstorms and lightning I agree it seem to scare the fish, and I dont know if it has any real effects. Clouds im a bit more on the fence on - contant light vs. minor up and down to let the coral have a breath for high PAR. I have seen nobody really writing any articles about it though.

 

[Mandelstam]

I think the lighting and thunder are the aspects of a thunderstorm that the fish or coral actually feel very little of compared to the drop in air pressure and maybe some freshwater at the surface if they grow in very shallow areas.

 

[mcarroll]

Folks have only had fixed light sources in the past, and all research I've seen still appears to be based on fixed lighting as well.

I've never specifically gone looking for research on the topic though.

 

[skiergd011013]

Gimmick. My t5's have two modes. On, and off.

 

[brandon429]

not a gimmick

simulated clouding is right now protecting my entire monti stash from bleaching. light modulation is key in coral mgmnt

not sure if the random patterns help but the direct ability to control it sure does.

lots of the algaecides people dose with nowadays, needs a lesser lighting approach than full production/

I got all cowboy and spiked the alk and forgot to lower the lighting and when I came home some stress w underway w not enough water for a change lol. why I jacked w it, not sure lol. but the remedy was to: cut photoperiod and intensity, feed the tank a grip of cyclopeeze, then ramp back up and by this time next week all red and shiny again.

 

[[Cameron]]

not a gimmick

simulated clouding is right now protecting my entire monti stash from bleaching. light modulation is key in coral mgmnt

not sure if the random patterns help but the direct ability to control it sure does.

lots of the algaecides people dose with nowadays, needs a lesser lighting approach than full production/

If simulated clouding is protecting your montis, that is a sign that you currently have the fixture turned up too high for your montis and they need more time to adjust to the current settings. It is not a sign that lighting weather simulation has a positive impact long term. At the average depths most corals live, lightning strikes in the wild probably aren't having much if any impact from a visual perspective.

In my opinion the "key" to coral management (speaking in generalities) is stability. Lighting, water quality, etc all factor into stability but tanks that tend to fail in my experience are those that have too many toys with owners that can't stop playing with lighting settings for instance or owners that lose interest in the maintenance "grind".

 

[BigJohnny]

There is a prominent master reefer in the UK, I believe it's David Saxby of DD, who uses a very unique up down up down intensity schedule on his lighting. I believe it also moves across the tank (has a huge tank with many fixtures, he doesn't actually move the lights). I think he said there were significant benefits after implementing it. I think he believes it allows the coral to utilize photosynthesis longer overall by taking breaks periodically. So more light overall then before but with breaks basically.

Again, I think I think I believe I think. Google him or his aquarium to learn more, and just to see an EPIC tank. Mike paletta also talks about it in some video I saw.

On a side note, the nicest tank I've ever seen in person had complete lights out for 2 days once a month. He said it helped control algae/dino/diatom/cyano and the corals always looked amazing right after. The same schedule 24/7/365 is not natural obviously, but the question is, is natural actually best? Not always.

 

[aumoenoav]

Interessting - I like that it seem like people here are torn between the question. It show we still have a lot to learn in this hobby. I probably have the trend of not keeping my hands out of the tank, and I like to tinker with stuff (sadly). I try to keep things as stable as possible, but it seem to almost no information about led simulations.

Regarding Saxby I have checked him out, and it seems like he is simulating "clouds" with pushing the bluelight up and down during the day. I just wish we had a method of seeing the benefit.

 

[Dana Riddle]

The modulation of light using the 'cloud' feature can be of benefit - or harm - depending upon the light intensity the corals are receiving. If too much light - the break can be a good thing. If too low, a drop in light intensity fails to meet the minimum requirements. The length of the cloud cover also plays a part - some photosynthetic processes take 15-20 minutes to ramp up or down. On the other hand, a moonlight cycle is a gimmick - at least for some corals. It is a common - and false - notion that moonlight is the biological clock for at least some coral spawning. It is actually the length of photoperiod. Corals can sense darkness, but turbid water, cloud cover, water depth, shadows, etc. can prevent them from sensing incredibly low light moonlight.

 

[Dana Riddle]

Judging the benefit of cloud cover can be done, but the equipment needed is quite expensive and a good working knowledge of photosystems is required. The only proxy, off the top of my head, is using a PAR meter and comparing the readings to estimates of min/max light required by corals.
A primer can be found here:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2016/2/aafeature

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I liked the thunderstorms at the Rainforest Cafe. I think it would be a neat add on to an aquarium. lol

 

[A. grandis]

I believe in cloud effects, dusk, and the moon cycle.
All need to be addressed with the right applications and goals.
Non of them are extremely necessary at all to have an amazing thriving reef system with artificial light.
Grandis.

 

[mcarroll]

It is a common - and false - notion that moonlight is the biological clock for at least some coral spawning. It is actually the length of photoperiod.

I've heard it said that this moon period also corresponds with the calmest seas....which would allow the greatest chance of gamets mixing before being washed away to the great expanse.

So it's the moon, but not the moon's light – it's the moon's position relative to the planet that seems to matter. (How closer/far it is.)

(I admit I heard this on BlueWorldTV's episode on coral spawning.)

 

[Waters]

I use the storm mode on the Radions and find that it doesn't scare the fish at all. In fact, it makes it interesting to observe the livestock when the lighting starts. The coral all close up immediately from the first flash.....I assume going into "protection" mode? Either way, it looks cool lol.

 

[Dana Riddle]

I spent quite a number of mornings collecting data on coral spawnings in Hawaii (Porites sp., Pocillopora sp., Leptastrea sp. etc) and found there was a correlation with falling tide with Pocillopra meandrina and P. eydouxi. These species are broadcast spawners. Porites species, on the other hand, spawned randomly in early summer, probably because they were hermaphroditic, capable of self-fertilizing. In addition, we think they were surface brooders as we were never able to collect *any* eggs even when the vis was reduced by sperm release. Whatever the case, there are some papers published showing that some coral species kept in captivity don't need a cue from the lunar cycle to spawn. Some do, apparently.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/7/aafeature2

 

[mcarroll]

@Dana Riddle I don't know what job you had or how you got it, but from the blips of it that you mention and the location, it had to be the cream of the crop.