Quote:
Originally Posted by Kolognekoral
Is this why the red spectrum has not proved to be a problem with other lighting systems?
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Well, Look at the spectra of popular MH and T5 bulbs. You'll see that ~680nm peak almost every time (well, of course not in a strictly actinic bulb). So my guess is the reason they don't 'struggle' with red is becuase they have the red in their spectra.
As for not worrying about zooxanthellae, if the hypothesis is that corals don't need zooxanthellae then we should be able to light an SPS tank the same way we do a FOWLR tank. There would be no photosynthetic requirement on the part of the corals and zoas. The fact is, there is a balance between the corals' internal food cycle and that provided by their zooxanthellae tenants. From the papers I've read, where we get into trouble is when we have deficient light (and spectra) and the zooxanthellae have to increase their numbers proportionately to make up for the lower light. Their increased numbers create that brown look we all know and love. I think what we need is to find that balance of water column nutrients and appropriate lighting (PUR) so the corals only hang onto the numbers of zooxanthellae they need without masking their colors.