BOB_I please respond

[Bob I]

Originally Posted by reef_raf

Light provides the carbs for the coral thru photosynthesis.

This could become a good discussion. I must correct you on a very important point. The end products of photosynthesis are Glucose, Oxygen, and water. Respiration then converts the glucose to a large number of products, some of which are carbohydrates. However, photosynthetic sugars are also used in the production of amino acids for proteins.
Simply put, light and the ensuing photosynthesis also produce proteins.
The above statements are not mine but were paraphrased from a plant biology textbook.