Coralline Growth & Lighting

[TheReefGeek]

TJ, great tip, I had heard of scrapping and distributing, but mortor and pestel should work even better!

[Ruth]

I don't know if this is relavent but it is my observations on my tanks
230g - calcium reactor - 3X400W MH Geisemann megachrome bulbs (13K) 2X PC actinic and 2X 10000K daylight - coralline OK but was better when using coralvue 15K (I think) bulbs (glass tank)
190g - calcium reactor - 3X400W MH Geisemann X 2 and Reeflux X1 - 2 Actinic T5 and 4 10000K daylight T5 - good growth on rocks but not much on back wall or equipment (acrylic tank)
44g cube - no calcium reactor - 1 X 250W Geisemann megachrome bulb - no supplimental lighting - excellent coralline growth on all rocks and sides of aquarium and internal equipment (glass tank)
24G JBJ Nano - no calcium reactor and no supplimenting calcium (weekly 30% water changes with Tropic Marin salt) 1 X 175W MH (can't even remember the K) and 2 X VHO actinic - amazing coralline growth everywhere.

So from my observation it would appear that the VHO bulbs seem to spark the most growth and colour.

Just my 2 pennies.

[TheReefGeek]

I wonder if it is more color spectrum related, or PAR value..... I was thinking about trying NO lighting, 10K + actinics in 12" tubs with the lighting quite close to the surface of the water.

[christyf5]

I was under the impression that coralline algae liked less lit areas. From my observations, coralline grows well under and on powerheads, and lower down on the glass (especially for the front glass). I wouldn't imagine in this case its so much about PAR but rather intensity??

[Beverly]

Wow, Rich! You have a mortar and pestle Great pics of them too

I thought having a turkey baster was an exotic but required reef tool, but a mortar and pestle is something I never even thought of

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by christyf5

I was under the impression that coralline algae liked less lit areas.

come tell mine that, I am tired of scraping the glass

I have found I get the fastest growth from intense lighting and proper chemestry, I found that by lowering my Ca to 380-390 I get about twice the coraline growth as I did at 430, my corals also increased there growth at the lower level. as for PC VS MH I have 3 tanks, 1 with 400 watt radium, 1 with 250 10K HQI (SE) and VHO actinic and one with PC's and VHO actinic. the fastest growth is from the 10K HQI, then next is the 400 radium and the slowest is the PC. a interesting thing to note the 10K HQI (fastest) and the PC (slowest) share the same water through a common sump so the only factor involved is the lighting.

Steve

[TheReefGeek]

Good info steve, thanks!