natural coral reef

the sun is intense with the delivery of light to the oceans in spectrums that we try to copy in the bulbs. and the suns light values throught the day changes. so bulbs with different k value throught the day with the high intesity should maximize growth and color. but at the same time having the same values of intensity delivered constantly make the corals change colors and grow. and of course most corals are very picky, if there is to much light or not enough they whiteout. maybe no single solution is the answer, and maybe your both right. the corals pigments show more defensive color under uv light and matching the par to the coral species is a must to achieve this. most reefs are poor in nutrients, but corals explode when given the right combination of rich nutrients. protiens and vitamins are just two of them. granted light pays a large part in growing colorfull corals but light alone wont maximize our efforts. finding the best combination will always be on the table for discussion.

 

Thats it exactly, nobody can say without a doubt "here do it just like this cause its how the ocean is". If they did, they would be lieing. Its not like multiple choice, its more like multiple guess. They what trace elements are there, and they have an idea but nothing proof positive in the amounts. They know the amount ppm in the sample they took, but as mentioned previously, it varies too much to put an actual figure on it.

When you try to replicate what somebody else did, to get the same results, you have to have everything almost identicle, one varible can throw everything way off and it could be some unknown varible.

EDIT: went waaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy off topic on this one, ***was ranting, deleted it myself, haha

 

ok, so with that. back to my original question

for average enviroments containing reefs i.e. great barrier

and heres why im bringing it back up
tangster thinks that the 14k sps blue bulbs are the best
others think the 10k with a specific brand is the best
i have ab 13k which were recommended to me for maximun
others swear by the 20k

even the same k with a different brand will produce different values
so which specific brand and specific k mh bulb is the best to mimic average light parameters on a reef
can this ever be answered?

 

I knew that I had read this information before. So, I did a quick search and came up with this. Not all the information that you seek is here but most of it is.

Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Feature Article: Underwater Light Field and its Comparison to Metal Halide Lighting

Enjoy,
Jim

 

yea ive been to that site in the past, was hoping ppl had even more info. its a good read. so whats your opinoin on which mh bulb matches average conditions

 

I don't think I have one I just try to give the corals that I have, mh lights with a high par value for their photosynthetic zooxanthella needs and something that looks pleasing to my eyes. So, I figure I get the best of both worlds.
I guess I should have read the whole thread I thought the link would help.
I think it is time to do a West Palm dive and remind myself what its like in 60 - 100 feet of Florida's reefs.
Have a good day,
Jim

 

And don't forget to add the two enormous "Chillers" on either end of the tank,one at the north end, the other at the south.

 

Where Santa lives?

 

Isnt he coming to town sometime soon? I heard hes bringing me a Hardwicke Wrasse
(Thalassoma hardwicke) ;D
Thalassoma hardwicke

 

this thread went astray