ok. ive got a sw tank set up with fowlr setup. i do want to put an anemone in and probly a couple coral peices. ive got an LED setup but alot of people on here have seen pictures of my tank and said the lights don't look that bright. in person they are extremely bright and the picture just doesnt show it to that extent. will keeping the light on for a longer period of time throughout the day substitute for the lack of power (if there is any)?
sw light question
- Thread starter metalhed3
- Start date
I would say not...it will help algae growth. Best bet with your lights is to do some research on them and find out the hard facts about their specs, then report back to us.
To answer your question point-blank - No.
Now I'll tell you why...
Assuming your light is as "bright" as you say, but is still low-watt bulbs, you risk a number of things by subjecting the tank to extended lighting hours.
First, overexposure to any lighting will cause rapid algal growth in the tank, as it's a simplistic photosynthetic organism, it will pull from any available lighting. This will result in not only an unsightly mess, and extra cleaning for you, but will also cause parameters to fluctuate undesireably.
Secondly, fish - like people, have cycles of "sleep" and awake. Overexposure of lighting - running lights (other than moonlighting) for excessive amounts of time each day (More than 8-10 hours) creates an imbalance in their diurnal/nocturnal (day/night) patterns, and can lead to issues arising such as increased stress levels, weakened immune systems, metabolic inconsistencies (irregular feeding patterns), and more.
Third, because you plan to get some corals eventually (of which I'm assuming would be nothing more than some softies that are suitable for low-lighting), you need to understand that just because the lighting may be low, doesn't mean it is harmless, and likewise, doesn't mean it's effective either. Extended exposure to lighting - especially with corals who thrive in low-light environments can cause burning of their tissues, if the spectrums used emit more than is needed. Now note I said spectrum, not intensity. Spectrum would be the color of the light, determining it's strength and benefits. Intensity would be measured not only by how we perceive "brightness", but also degrees kelvin. One thing I always try to tell people, is to research the natural conditions of the corals they intend to keep, and make sure they grasp at least a basic comprehension of light, it's spectrums and their relevant energy output - I.E reds and yellows are "Brighter" but have different waves than blue, and thus put out less usable "energy" for low-light-corals, but in turn, can be too "intense" and cause damage to their tissues with overexposure in shallow environments - (our tanks), this goes back to the "not necessarily effective, but not harmless either".
Without breaking down the science of lighting - which would be a loooong post, I'd sooner suggest you opt for a lighting system which accomodates varying needs of tank inhabitants - one such as a T5 which would provide the "brightness" aquarists love, as well as the appropriate spectrums for healthy fish, corallines, and inverts, but of which is also housed with actinics for moonlighting cycles. And should you opt for some soft corals, make sure to note appropriate placements within the tank as to avoid overexposure but to prevent from underexposure. This would be why you'd want to be familiar with their depth, placement (on open ledges, under overhangs, etc.), and geographical location before purchasing any.
Hope this helped some. Let me know if you have anymore questions.
Now I'll tell you why...
Assuming your light is as "bright" as you say, but is still low-watt bulbs, you risk a number of things by subjecting the tank to extended lighting hours.
First, overexposure to any lighting will cause rapid algal growth in the tank, as it's a simplistic photosynthetic organism, it will pull from any available lighting. This will result in not only an unsightly mess, and extra cleaning for you, but will also cause parameters to fluctuate undesireably.
Secondly, fish - like people, have cycles of "sleep" and awake. Overexposure of lighting - running lights (other than moonlighting) for excessive amounts of time each day (More than 8-10 hours) creates an imbalance in their diurnal/nocturnal (day/night) patterns, and can lead to issues arising such as increased stress levels, weakened immune systems, metabolic inconsistencies (irregular feeding patterns), and more.
Third, because you plan to get some corals eventually (of which I'm assuming would be nothing more than some softies that are suitable for low-lighting), you need to understand that just because the lighting may be low, doesn't mean it is harmless, and likewise, doesn't mean it's effective either. Extended exposure to lighting - especially with corals who thrive in low-light environments can cause burning of their tissues, if the spectrums used emit more than is needed. Now note I said spectrum, not intensity. Spectrum would be the color of the light, determining it's strength and benefits. Intensity would be measured not only by how we perceive "brightness", but also degrees kelvin. One thing I always try to tell people, is to research the natural conditions of the corals they intend to keep, and make sure they grasp at least a basic comprehension of light, it's spectrums and their relevant energy output - I.E reds and yellows are "Brighter" but have different waves than blue, and thus put out less usable "energy" for low-light-corals, but in turn, can be too "intense" and cause damage to their tissues with overexposure in shallow environments - (our tanks), this goes back to the "not necessarily effective, but not harmless either".
Without breaking down the science of lighting - which would be a loooong post, I'd sooner suggest you opt for a lighting system which accomodates varying needs of tank inhabitants - one such as a T5 which would provide the "brightness" aquarists love, as well as the appropriate spectrums for healthy fish, corallines, and inverts, but of which is also housed with actinics for moonlighting cycles. And should you opt for some soft corals, make sure to note appropriate placements within the tank as to avoid overexposure but to prevent from underexposure. This would be why you'd want to be familiar with their depth, placement (on open ledges, under overhangs, etc.), and geographical location before purchasing any.
Hope this helped some. Let me know if you have anymore questions.