SPS /LPS Colors and placement

[Ram_Puppy]

SPS/LPS

trying to think about how to word this question... hmm

ok..

based on type of coral, like acro, stylo, digitata, etc, you can make assumptions on where they should be placed.

for instance, I have read that stylos should be lower, to middle of the tank.

question is, the coloration pigment and hue, does that have any bearing on placement? is a dark purple specimen capable of taking more light than a light pink one?

thanks.

[erick]

Well, I dont know about light/photosynthesis capacity with regards to color in animals... But, dont lighter colors reflect light and darker colors absorb more? Is that why solar panels are black and not white? I am under the impression, at least with some anemones, that the lighter colored ones may have lost zoxanthalae (spelling?)(symbiotic material that photosynthesises and creates most of the energy for anemones), which can mean that they are not processing enough light to sustain life, hence the color/photosynthesis question. I would like to hear some other viewpoints, as this is a great question, could lead to a total reconfiguration of some systems :o

[Ram_Puppy]

bleaching of an anemone (explelling of it's symbiotic zoaxnthalae algae) may or may not be a good comparison...

It is a reduction of algae that absorb light, but are we really comparing algae saturation in coral specimens or simply different pigments? you could have pink and purple acroporas for instance that have a similar number of algae but the question would then be, does purple or pink provide better protection from more light, and or, does on need to be closer or further away because of it's pigment and it's ability to photosynthesize.

[Ross]

Where should i put my tort frag? as far as lighting and flow goes, right now its in high flow and high light.

[hobogato]

Where should i put my tort frag? as far as lighting and flow goes, right now its in high flow and high light.

higher light - more blue

lower light - more green/purple.

i have mine in moderate/high light and the tips are really blue. also seems to like quite a bit of flow.

[JimD]

Id leave it right where it is, just make sure its not getting strong direct flow.

[Texreefer]

From what i understand the Pigment in a coral is different than the Zooxanthellae, the pigment will get lighter or darker depending on the amount and quality of light it is exposed to. Morelight in the 420 nm range will have a tendancy to bring out a particular corals innate abiity to phluoresce. so a dark purple specimen under 10k up high may become light pink because the higher light wavelength does not excite the phluorescent pigments as much.. at the same time a light pink may become dark purple for the same exact reason.... Zooxanthellae react to light in generall,, the more light generally the denser ? is that a word? the Zoo is which can make a coral appear darker in coler and more healthy looking.. along those same lines ,even though low nutirent water is best for Acros to survive in,, those tanks with readable amounts of nitrates (under 10 ppm) seem to have a darker coloration to them as opposed to undetectable readings. .. these are just my opinions and experiences. and are by no means considered undeniable fact.. thank you and good night

[erick]

denser ? is that a word?

I think "more dense", but hey what do I know, I teach math :blink

Now I would pose this question in response to other posts; If the ability to absord or reflect light is dependent upon the color of the coral (which can vary in and of itself with ea coral), do lighter colored/pigment corals need a longer photoperiod to photosynthesize/generate the same amount of energy as darker ones? Does the outer pigment color affect the ability to photosynthesize? Do darker pigmented specimens live in a more shallow or deeper water than the lighter colored ones? (in the wild, which would support the amount of light vs color theories).....One must ponder :unsure

[Ram_Puppy]

all I know truly is in the grand scheme of things, high, middle, and low in my little cube are relative and won't make much of a difference. I am just curious.