UV and Coral health

TroyF · 09-21-2001, 11:31 AM

Here is a topic I've been reading on Fishnet and I thought it would be interesting to hear what some of you had to say/write on the topic.

http://forums.compuserve.com/vlforums/default.asp?SRV=Fishnet&loc=us

You have to click on reef in the message board list and then click on the topic UV and Coral health.

[ 09-21-2001: Message edited by: Troy F ]

Spanky · 09-21-2001, 07:35 PM

Troy,

I have only this to say about that

.

We have much better results using short bursts of MH, as opposed to continuous exposure. Especially on newly collected and expecially when the original orientation of the piece is not known. Corals will recruit different zoox, and even the same zoox can adapt to a fairly wide range of lighting.

If you are experiencing what you believe to be light induced bleaching, try this. Run your MH's for a 30min on 1-2 hrs off cycle for a while. You can play with that a little, say 1hr on 1-2 hrs off etc. Until you see the results you want.

Also, coral expansion is not necessarily the result of proper lighting. It's also common for these animals to expand under less that optimum lighting. Taking advantage of as much surface exposed to the light as possible.

Spanky's $.02

TroyF · 09-21-2001, 08:40 PM

I'm not running a tank at the moment, I tore mine down and haven't set up my new one yet.. I just found the discussion something of an eye opener.

[quote]We have much better results using short bursts of MH, as opposed to continuous exposure.

Do you do this on all your tanks? If so, on a tank showing no signs of stress, what is the lighting pattern you use? Also, what type of bulbs and what wattage?

Spanky · 09-22-2001, 08:53 AM

[quote]Do you do this on all your tanks?

Yes, depending on the "critters".

[quote]If so, on a tank showing no signs of stress, what is the lighting pattern you use?

O3's on for 10hrs
50/50's - 60/40's on 8hrs
MH 175w 10k's on for 6 30min bursts.

Jerel

TroyF · 09-23-2001, 12:14 PM

That is really interesting. I think you are the first person I've read that does this. What kind of timer do you use?

Spanky · 09-23-2001, 12:23 PM

Andy sent us some IceCap timers for the tank at home. I really like them cause you can do this with them.

I think Radio Shack also makes something along this line too.
Jerel

TroyF · 09-23-2001, 12:31 PM

One last pick at your brain Jerel

. With the lighting schedule you have, what kind of corals and other sessile inverts do you keep?

Spanky · 09-23-2001, 12:44 PM

Go Here > http://welcome.to/rockyshores

Alice · 09-23-2001, 01:37 PM

Interesting, Jerel. I know the discussion has gone on for a while about how to duplicate lighting conditions due to cloud cover, the angle of the sun which of course, causes shading to different parts of the reef throughout the day. I've heard talk of people trying to rig up different rotating gels over their lights, putting the whole lighting system on a track that turns it at an angle, none of which have really worked as it's just been too hard on the equipment or too much of a PITA. Sounds to me like your method is much simpler

~Alice

Spanky · 09-23-2001, 01:56 PM

And all sorts of other issues too.

The fluorescents tend to compensate for the ambient light as opposed to point source lighting. Several studies have revealed nutrient uptakes and their time lines. Showing that after a certain period of time, nutrient uptakes are greatly reduced or just stopped completely. By cycling the light we were trying to see if these factors could be extended over a longer period of time. Say 8-10hrs instead of 3-5.
So far so good. 30-60 min bursts of high intensity lighting stimulates enough. This is then carried over (excited) for the next hour before you see a drop again. At that time the usable "foods" have been efficiently used up and it's time for another burst. By cycling this way, it seems we are getting 8-10hrs of "growth" instead of the usual 3-5 followed by a shut down.
Personally, I think it has to be the right combination of lighting. With the VHO's producing enough light to maintain production and the point source acting as a stimulant/catalyst with enough intensity/spectrum to excite.

Minnreefer · 09-23-2001, 02:18 PM

This sounds very interesting to me, how do your fish respond to these light changes. I forget, what kind of lighting do you have on your tank Jerel? So you are having your VHO's on all the time and you MH cycling every hour or so? As far as you can tell does this lighting affect different type of corals near the same? I am sorry for all of the questions.
THanks
Jonathan

Spanky · 09-23-2001, 02:28 PM

Hi Jon,
It sure does feel good to sit in the AC today.

03's, 50/50's, and 175w MH 10k's with Spider flectors.

> So you are having your VHO's on all the time and you MH cycling every hour or so? <

Yep!

The question is, does it affect all zoox and pathways the same? So far it seems to hold true. We started working with condy's and have just recently (few years) started applying it to corals, sponges, gorgs, etc. Seems that most zoox, and the animals that love them, are not that particular on who gets paired up with who.

Jerel

galleon · 09-23-2001, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Seems that most zoox, and the animals that love them

"If you can't be a zooxanthellae, be a zooxanthellae supporter!"

Minnreefer · 09-23-2001, 02:55 PM

Thanks,
I am going to talk to Brooke but it sounds very interesting and makes sense at least to an idiot like me.
Jon
P.S. Chris, I like your new quotes

galleon · 09-23-2001, 10:05 PM

"...moving on up"