[Redbeard]

[quote author=Craig_Manoukian link=board=lighting;num=1094095591;start=0#1 date=09/02/04 at 13:11:56]You are going to hate me, but light is only part of the equation. *If we look at the natural reef we see a lot of softies and clams in the shallows, but you have to go to the outer slope of the reef to see the big SPS and LPS corals. [/quote]

Thank you, I've never had the opportunity to visit a natural reef and didn't know that. It sounds like for a more natural looking display it would be better to put softies (Octocorallia?) in a "clam lagoon". Do you ever see any SPS or LPS in the shallows or clams on the outer slopes? BTW, I don't hate anybody that's willing to take the time to share some knowledge with us newbies instead of just saying do this or don't do that or read this without any explanation. I may not always like what I hear but if it helps me to successfully establish a mini-reef that's what it's all about.

[quote author=jay link=board=lighting;num=1094095591;start=0#2 date=09/02/04 at 18:09:15]The other thing to keep in mind is that the range over which a photsynthetic organism can be acclimated is generally quite large, which may have a lot to do with the reason the lighting needs of these organisms remain so crudely deffined.[/quote]

Thanks, that's encouraging. Is it true that acclimating (to a new lighting system) is really not that critical if the subject is being moved to a tank where the lights are LESS bright, strong, intense, etc.? I mean I'm just guessing that most coral propagators are using brighter, stronger, more intense, etc., lights than the 2 175 watt 10,000 K metal halides over my 50 gallon tank. Is that a safe bet? (my tank is 48Lx18Hx13D)

[quote author=Redbeard link=board=lighting;num=1094095591;start=0#0
date=09/01/04 at 20:26:31]I just don't want to kill something simply because I didn't understand what it needed in the way of light.[/quote]

Maybe someone could give me some ideas about what I shouldn't try to maintain under those lights.

Thanks,
Ted