Is there such thing as too much lighting???

IronRising · #1 09-24-2010, 10:02 PM

Hey guys

Got another question for ya. I'm trying to plan out my lighting set up for my 90 gallon reef tank, and my biggest concern is my lighting. LFS always mention minimums (i.e tank size, filters/sump, watts) but is there such a thing as too much. Right now I'm looking at getting a Tek light 48" 8x54 bulb for a total of 432 watts, which gives me 4.8 watts per gallon. I'm pretty sure that's not over doing it but if i decided to add some supplemental lighing for color... what is too much???

Aquattro · #2 09-24-2010, 10:03 PM

I run 800w over my 18" deep 90, so you've got a ways to go to hit "too much"

Bloodasp · #3 09-24-2010, 10:04 PM

anything brighter than the sun or maybe one that uses power enough to light half the city.

lastlight · #4 09-24-2010, 10:26 PM

More a case of potentially too much light too fast. I don't think with either t5 or mh you can fit more light physically than most coral can be acclimated to.

Delphinus · #5 09-24-2010, 11:59 PM

+1 .. Acclimation is key when transferring from one intensity level to another.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastlight

More a case of potentially too much light too fast.

Jack · #6 09-25-2010, 12:27 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfcLNj6m9tA

ScubaSteve · #7 09-25-2010, 12:40 AM

There is, however, a maximum amount of light that corals can use. This level is called the saturation point, beyond which you start to get photoinhibition. I had the same question a while ago.

Look at Advanced Aquarist Magazine online; they have a lot of articles on this topic, particularly with respect to different algae clades. As stated above, too much light too fast = bad and lots of light can be good for growth, but there is a point where you start to get decreasing returns on the amount of energy you're pumping into the tank.

Murminator · #8 09-25-2010, 04:27 AM

I used to run a 400W MH over a 29G It did good

Bloodasp · #9 09-25-2010, 04:37 AM

Aside from what was said. Another issue that would arise would be the heat that the fixture produces.

IronRising · #10 09-25-2010, 03:55 PM

This tank is a basement dweller, so heat is a little bit easier to control. A couple fans should be able to fix that. Thanks for the video Jack! The only thing i was worried about was maybe bleaching some corals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastlight

More a case of potentially too much light too fast. I don't think with either t5 or mh you can fit more light physically than most coral can be acclimated to.

While i don't have to worry about that as you stated t5 is not an issue. I have never even been told about light "acclimation" thanks!