Light Ramping

Daniel62 · 06/12/2016, 11:20 PM

Do you think that the ramping up and down of the lights we use on our reefs really make a difference to our coral ?

Ron Reefman · 06/13/2016, 05:45 AM

Absolutely not! Do we do better if we watch the sun rise in the morning or if we turn on a light in the bedroom first thing? It makes zero difference to us physically. It may have some psychological effect on some people, but corals don't have high functioning brains.

However, I do use fixtures that do sunrise/sunset because I'm home a lot and I love seeing the tank 'evolve' over the course of the day. Especially in the evening when I get to being 50% blue and 0% white. Then the tank looks 100% different than it did all day. Do the corals care? I don't think it makes any difference at all. Just like running moonlights makes no difference either. But I run them for part of the late evening into night so I can still watch some of the action in the tank.

Sunrise/sunset is 100% for our eyes to enjoy. On the other hand, fake tide made by alternating wave maker pumps from side to side is good to help eliminate dead spots and to get detritus off the rocks and corals. Is it a big deal... I don't think so. But I do it because I can and I think it makes for a slightly more 'natural' tank.

oseymour · 06/13/2016, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel62

Do you think that the ramping up and down of the lights we use on our reefs really make a difference to our coral ?

I've seen tanks with metal halides and T5s where it's on and off with no ramp. They were still successful.

My tank - a Red Sea Reefer 350 - Build Thread - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2555495

Darth_Tater · 06/13/2016, 09:06 AM

Corals, no. Fish, yes! At least the jumpy and shy ones.

jmm · 06/13/2016, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth_Tater

Corals, no. Fish, yes! At least the jumpy and shy ones.

I agree with this. I do it for the fish. It gives them time to find a night time hiding place and doesn't startle them first thing in the morning.

BrettDS · 06/13/2016, 10:47 AM

I think that this is one of the things that absolutely isn't necessary. Until LEDs showed up a few years ago there were really very few dimmable fixtures. And there were thousands of successful reef tanks at that time. However, I also believe that trying to approximate nature as best we can is only beneficial to our livestock and I definitely take advantage of my LED's ability to ramp up and down.

McPuff · 06/13/2016, 02:23 PM

Not critical for reefs at all. But I use this functionality because 1) I have it, and 2) it's less stressful for the fish. Gives them a cue to settle down for the night, and allows them to get moving in the morning. We all know how fun it is to be in a dark room and then be flooded with light instantly. Not fun. Also, I like to see the progression through Dawn and Dusk.

Wazzel · 06/13/2016, 02:43 PM

No it is not necessary for a successful tank. All my previous tanks were on/off for lighting. I like ramping on my current tank so it can give me more viewable hours without bleaching my corals.

Bent · 06/13/2016, 04:23 PM

I don't think it matters to coral, they use the light for fuel and not much else.

But for fish or other animals I think it does make a huge difference. Just anecdotal though from my experience.

plecoco · 06/13/2016, 11:16 PM

Not from what I've seen!

06/12/2016, 11:20 PM	#1
Daniel62 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: kingman, AZ Posts: 1,483	Light Ramping Do you think that the ramping up and down of the lights we use on our reefs really make a difference to our coral ? __________________ Mind over matter, if you don't mind it doesn't matter Current Tank Info: 225 reef, 125 clown & haddoni tank, Haddoni's Big Bad & Beautiful, I Love Them!

06/13/2016, 05:45 AM	#2
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	Absolutely not! Do we do better if we watch the sun rise in the morning or if we turn on a light in the bedroom first thing? It makes zero difference to us physically. It may have some psychological effect on some people, but corals don't have high functioning brains. However, I do use fixtures that do sunrise/sunset because I'm home a lot and I love seeing the tank 'evolve' over the course of the day. Especially in the evening when I get to being 50% blue and 0% white. Then the tank looks 100% different than it did all day. Do the corals care? I don't think it makes any difference at all. Just like running moonlights makes no difference either. But I run them for part of the late evening into night so I can still watch some of the action in the tank. Sunrise/sunset is 100% for our eyes to enjoy. On the other hand, fake tide made by alternating wave maker pumps from side to side is good to help eliminate dead spots and to get detritus off the rocks and corals. Is it a big deal... I don't think so. But I do it because I can and I think it makes for a slightly more 'natural' tank. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

06/13/2016, 02:43 PM	#8
Wazzel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 4,743	No it is not necessary for a successful tank. All my previous tanks were on/off for lighting. I like ramping on my current tank so it can give me more viewable hours without bleaching my corals. __________________ Mark Beware the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes it's a train. Current Tank Info: 120, LED, Bare Bottom, SPS/LPS

06/13/2016, 04:23 PM	#9
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	I don't think it matters to coral, they use the light for fuel and not much else. But for fish or other animals I think it does make a huge difference. Just anecdotal though from my experience. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

06/13/2016, 11:16 PM	#10
plecoco Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: California Posts: 78	Not from what I've seen! __________________ Get deals > cuddledeals.com Skimmer FAQ > skimmergeek.com Current Tank Info: 10g tank looking for stocking ideas

06/13/2016, 09:06 AM	#4
Darth_Tater Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 535	Corals, no. Fish, yes! At least the jumpy and shy ones.

06/13/2016, 10:47 AM	#6
BrettDS Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,109	I think that this is one of the things that absolutely isn't necessary. Until LEDs showed up a few years ago there were really very few dimmable fixtures. And there were thousands of successful reef tanks at that time. However, I also believe that trying to approximate nature as best we can is only beneficial to our livestock and I definitely take advantage of my LED's ability to ramp up and down.

06/13/2016, 02:23 PM	#7
McPuff Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,735	Not critical for reefs at all. But I use this functionality because 1) I have it, and 2) it's less stressful for the fish. Gives them a cue to settle down for the night, and allows them to get moving in the morning. We all know how fun it is to be in a dark room and then be flooded with light instantly. Not fun. Also, I like to see the progression through Dawn and Dusk.