Do corals need a rest period? I have many polyps that reopen once the moon lights come on. Curently I have the t5 between 11am and 8pm, MH is noon-6pm, and moonlights 9pm-5am.
Many thanks in advance.
Jason
Many thanks in advance.
Jason
rest photo period for inverts
- Thread starter j_chicago
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They do, and will actually use the night time to do most of their growing. They undergo photosynthesis during the day, and then standard respiration at night. There is usually a max efficiency ratio, depending on your lighting, the coral, and your system.
They actually undergo normal respiration 24/7--it is just that it is supplemented with photosynthesis during daylight hours. They do have a saturation point, as fishieness said, though. Beyond a certain point, photosynthesis shuts down and any additional light hours will not benefit them and can even harm them (bleaching and associated photo-oxidative processes, etc.).
Thanks for the replies. Think that I should adjust my photo periods so the moonlights are on a shorter period since many of the polyps are open durning the night.