Coral takes long to open

[Michael_]

When I wake up in the morning, altogether my corals take about 3 hours to fully open.

Is this normal?

Thanks

[garygonzales]

depends what type of corals..all my leathers take time to open up too..also how high is your lighting when it first turns on...

[Michael_]

I have almost all lps. When my lights turn on, they immediately turn on to the highest they can be, and they remain like that the rest of the day

[garygonzales]

umm.might want to start out with little light at first..and then ramp it up

[slief]

Originally Posted by garygonzales

umm.might want to start out with little light at first..and then ramp it up

Agree.. Bringing the lights up slowly is less shock to the corals and more akin to natural lighting as the sun gradually rises over the reef building in intensity. I ramp up for 4 hours, then have 4 hours of peak intensity followed by 4 hours of ramp down.

That said, it’s pretty normal for corals to take some time to fully open. It can take a few hours depending on the corals and lighting.

[wrott]

As long as your corals are expanding and growing, they're fine.
I blast 800W of MH on mine for 7hrs/day--in 13 years i haven't heard my fish or corals complain. They know exactly when it's coming on and shutting off too--amazing.
With in invent of "high tech" LED computer controlled $$ lighting, every gimmick to sell will be used. It's like selling sweaters for cats(not hairless), it's for you not the cat.

[Mark Bianco]

Just because something works doesn't mean that their isn't a better way. Anytime thru technology or other means we can replicate what nature does for the corals IMO its a good thing.

[Michael_]

Originally Posted by slief

Agree.. Bringing the lights up slowly is less shock to the corals and more akin to natural lighting as the sun gradually rises over the reef building in intensity. I ramp up for 4 hours, then have 4 hours of peak intensity followed by 4 hours of ramp down.

That said, it’s pretty normal for corals to take some time to fully open. It can take a few hours depending on the corals and lighting.

What if my lighting system has no setting to fade? It is a very basic lightning system, I don't know if theres anything I can do

[slief]

Originally Posted by Michael_

What if my lighting system has no setting to fade? It is a very basic lightning system, I don't know if theres anything I can do

People ran basic instant on lighting on reefs for decades. Heck, I did for over 20 years before switching to LED’s in 2010 or 2011. It’s not a big deal and you are still fine. It just may take a bit longer for some corals to wake up/open up and adjust to the lighting.

[garygonzales]

mine dont have that either..i have a channel for blue and a channel for whites...my blues come on first for like 2 hours and then the whites come on...can you do that?