never mind...

Do fish and corals just sense the moon phase or do the sit in their watery beds staring up at the moon so they know when to spawn?

We can't talk to them, so it will remain a guess (educated, or not) There are numerous documented cases of educated conclusions being totally out in left field. Thus as I said my guess is as valid as the next guy's. I can express this opinion without someone being mad at me. I read numerous posts that I consider silly, but I don't get confrontational about it. I just write the remarks off as silly. It is an exchange of ideas after all. :wink:

Now now, be nice, everyone. 8) (Flame sheilds raised :) )

Bob has a point in that the wording in the book points it to be an "educated guess." I of course trust Eric Borneman's guesses over any of my own. Troy hit the nail on the head: we do know that lunar cycles play SOME kind of role in many events such as mass spawnings. But as far as putting a lunar cycle onto your tank, it is quite possible you do that more for yourself than you do for your captive reef. For one, how do you know that the intensity of light matches that of the intensity of real moonlight over the RealReef(tm)? How do you know that your moonrise/moonset doesn't play a more important role than the 28-day cycle of intensity variation? How do you know that it isn't something indirectly related to the moon cycle (tides, for example), that is more instrumental in these events?

With all that said .... I do beleive that the moonlight intensity does play some role, because I have heard of cases of coral spawns in people's tanks who have some kind of lunar cycle simulation. Or tanks that are affected by outside lighting conditions (Ron Shimek's carpet anemone, for example, is said to to spawn every year and the tank is near a window so IS affected by the "real" lunar cycle).

And so on and so on. Almost irrefutable fact that lunar cycle plays a ROLE, but as to putting a moonlight over your tank, unless you take into account the amount of intensity, and the moonrise/moonset times, and tides, then it is possibly arguable that all we're doing is putting a night viewing light on there for own own viewing interest.

Just my $0.02 .....

I had to correct a spelling error in my last post before someone caught it. With that done, I have no further opnions. :shock:

oh brother - never mind...

Well that is somewhat harsh don't you think? I picked up on the fact that the author himself is not claiming that his statements are necessarily fact. He uses the words "may" and "likely, thus allowing the reader to draw his own conclusions. :wink:

That remark has earned you a spot on my "no more mister nice guy" list.

Must be that time of the month...(for everyone) :D

That's one of the points that I like about the book.
Eric B. uses alot of "may" and "might" throughout the book.

Few things a don't like about this book from Eric B (Aquarium Corals)
(or missing)...
1) He as no personnel opinion on anything !!!
2) no advice or trick..."should do" or "never do"
3) no summary...for quick reference....
4) lot of bla bla... at the beginning....
5) no section on clams :(


Pierre