Interesting article on light found on reefs

[Shaunv]

I found this article interesting

http://www.fishchannel.com/saltwater-aquariums/aquarium-frontiers/natural-reef-light.aspx

 

[sethsolomon]

Thats a good read. I probably only understood maybe 3/4 of it but HEY! it was interesting.

 

[jda123]

Some old info in there. Chalk me up as one that firmly believes that UV is important to color corals. Newer info has indeed shown that UV plays a pretty big role. There were some studies in 2010, or so, that showed nearly every visible pigment of diatoms that helped shield UV. There are even some studies that think that UV gets absorbed in moderate amounts and spit back out in the low 400s.

Seeing PAR of 2000+ for some of the day and more than 500 for most ought to end any discussion that somebody's LED panel that burnt corals are "too much light."

 

[sethsolomon]

Doug, what's your thoughts on removing the glass from DE halide bulbs?

 

[charleshardy5]

I just replaced my halide bulbs yesterday. Was reading a lot recently on how much the glass can effect lighting. This is a cool article
http://www.aquarium-design.com/reef/uvlighting.html

After reading I decided I tend to agree with the author and kept my glass covers

 

[jda123]

DE need the glass covers. UV it just too much without it. Some will get through anyway, just like with SE, but that amount is fine.

I don't use glass covers on SE bulbs - the glass in the bulb does that job.