sps corals-increase light= increase growth ?

[jas]

Hi guys, I read everywhere start new corals low or in less intense light and slowly move them up over weeks. I myself, usually end up placing a coral in a spot that I judge similar to the spot it was in at the LFS ( I measure the light at the store) and just leave it. Is there anyone that has acclimatized an sps and after increasing light to it seen a real growth spurt ? I'm really curious if everyone is giving this advice because it makes sense, or is there actual proof that growth will increase.

[cdurkin100]

Hi guys, I read everywhere start new corals low or in less intense light and slowly move them up over weeks. I myself, usually end up placing a coral in a spot that I judge similar to the spot it was in at the LFS ( I measure the light at the store) and just leave it. Is there anyone that has acclimatized an sps and after increasing light to it seen a real growth spurt ? I'm really curious if everyone is giving this advice because it makes sense, or is there actual proof that growth will increase.

Wow how do you measure the light in store? Do you have a par meter, they are expensive bits of gear.

[jas]

yup, I bring a PAR meter and LUX meter to get a general idea and try to match that in my tank...so far so good. That said, I've found info that shows spectrum affects a PAR meters reading so if his lights are not the same spectrum as mine, I could be off....long story.

[jamesfirth1]

Thats a bit more technical than my method......I guess or ask someone on here

[ZombieTuesday]

Mostly .. I just stick em where Im gonna keep em to be honest ..

maybe i should start doing the low down thing

[Reload2k3]

I voted yes, as I had a pink millepora next to my acro low down but colour seemed to fade but was told it required medium light by my LFS however since raising it up colour has returned and it looks fantastic now full colour returned generally ask or conduct research after seeing the coral in LFS

[jas]

I voted yes, as I had a pink millepora next to my acro low down but colour seemed to fade

Interesting you should say this. Regardless if a particular coral usually likes higher light, if it starts to fade many people might get worried its starting to bleach and put it even lower. You did the opposit and it paid off. You opened a new door to investigate, for me anyways.

[heller792]

I find that corals low down getter better growth as they stretch up for the light as they grow

[jas]

Well, the answer to this is unclear. It might be like how everybody says "you should obay the speed limit when you drive", and then nobody does..not even the person giving the advice :b.

Anyways, I am going to do a little testing on my tank. My main test subject is my first coral added the monti digitata. I will focus on that coral because in 4 months it has been through 2 light programs that it definiatly responded to in different ways.
The first program was high in PAR and full spectrum, the digi's green was washed out, but growth was very fast, about an 3/4" inch in a month. Then I lowered the intensity slightly but increased the blue spectrum, PAR was about the same as the first program, but bluer. It took about a week to improve coloration and 2 weeks to really glow. Growth slowed alot.

Now, I have increased the blue spectrum to the max and increased overall intensity 10% to raise PAR some more. If response is positive, I will keep the spectrum and increase PAR 10% more in a few weeks. My goal is to keep the great color and get back the original growth.
to be continued....

[Clearwater]

more light gives better colour as the pigment increases to protect the coral, too much and you can bleach it out as I did with a Tri Colour Monti

growth is more affected by Ca Mg and dKH

Milli's need lots of light, Acros show more colour as do Historx

the answer to the question is Yes and No depends on the coral