why top downs ? - Page 2

BlueAbyss · #1 09-17-2009, 04:14 AM

I believe I have heard it is because the light comes from above, and so the pigments are more concentrated from that angle. Not sure where I heard this though, consider it conjecture.

simplycoral · #2 09-17-2009, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueAbyss

I believe I have heard it is because the light comes from above, and so the pigments are more concentrated from that angle. Not sure where I heard this though, consider it conjecture.

+1

I have heard this too. Not sure where though

Maybe we shared the same dream

lobsterboy · #3 09-17-2009, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishytime

Its the way the light refracts through the glass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueAbyss

I believe I have heard it is because the light comes from above, and so the pigments are more concentrated from that angle. Not sure where I heard this though, consider it conjecture.

both make sense.

whatcaneyedo · #4 09-17-2009, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueAbyss

I believe I have heard it is because the light comes from above, and so the pigments are more concentrated from that angle. Not sure where I heard this though, consider it conjecture.

+2 I think it was mentioned in Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium by Fatherree. But of course he was talking about clams and not coral in general.

Myka · #5 09-17-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueAbyss

I believe I have heard it is because the light comes from above, and so the pigments are more concentrated from that angle.

This is why. Corals make pigment to protect from UV rays. Obviously the UV rays are coming from above, so the most pigment will be seen when viewing from that direction.

Light your corals from the side, and they will color up on that side.

kien · #6 09-17-2009, 02:34 PM

I vote for "light from above". If you inspect your corals and look at the parts where the light doesn't hit it directly (like a shaded side or the base of a branching colony), the colours aren't that great at all. At least that's the case for my corals. They go from amazing from the top, to pretty good/okay on the sides to dull and possibly brown at the bottom (undersides of branches, base of colony, side of coral not getting direct light). Anyway, that's what I notice with my corals.