Question about SPSs coloration.

[7thheaven]

I read an article named
"Stony Coral Pigments, Algae Pigments and Captive Lighting"
I think Steve Tyree wrote it.
This article is very interesting and has a lot of information.

Here is what I understand after reading it.
1.I am not sure but There are major two types of pigment in Coral.
Photosynthetic pigment(PP), and Coral pigment(CP)

2.The reason that Coral looks brown is Algae pigments,
Brown color is made the combination red and green.
Major components of Algae pigment are peridinin(accessary)pigment
and chlorophyll.
Red is peridinin pigment,green is chlorophyll pigment.Through this
combination, Coral looks like brown.

3. Various color when we look at the SPSs is not because Algae
pigment but because pigments of Coral cell

Is it correct?
After finishing article. There is something I wanna know.

Algae pigments produce the major energy to SPSs, I think If the
SPS is healthy, it looked brown color. I do not know How
The colorful SPS are survived relatively small amount of Algae pigment.
The Reason SPSs looks very bright color is because Algae pigments
are few or nothing in SPS?

Do you understand what I wanna know? I wanna express that you
can understand easily, but My English is not good enough....

[7thheaven]

How about this?

In poor nutrient environment and proper light, photosynthetic pigment is not needed, and coral feed their energy from something with just polyp.
(I do not know "something" )

This scenario is correct?

[OUinLA]

You are understanding this correctly but you have to realize that even when a colorful coral is healthy it is still getting most of it's energy from the light. When it turns brown it is getting more energy than it needs from the nutrients in the water.

[7thheaven]

Thanks Madison...I understand that...

When it turns brown it is getting more energy than it needs from the nutrients in the water.

I think this sentense is a keypoint..right?

[Aged Salt]

Hi Vince, some trace elements[zeo-supplements & replaced elements from saltwater] seem to be essential for host chromoprotein synthesis, eg. iron as well as iodine, fluorine & bromine. As inorganic nutrient concentrations are quite low in ZEOvit tanks, the tissue specific zoox. density is low as well, thus the algae's photosynethetic pigments do not interfere with the host chromoproteins. Therefore, less yellow, & green algae pigments which=brown color as zoox. density is diminished. That's the trick to colors

I think these traces enable corals to efficiently synthesize host chromoproteins. However, the primarly stimulus for chromoprotein induction is light in the vis range[for reflective colors] & UVA & short-wavelength violet & blue for fluorescent colors.

So, the combination of low nutrients[low zoox. density] trace element availability & appropriate light sources, optimize coloration Bob

[invincible569]

This is a extremely detailed topic and there are so many factors involved. This is why its important to know the source of the coral for shallow or deep water origins. With shallow waters, the tissue of a coral accepts short wave lengths pigments which live at the outer layer exposed while longer wavelength are deeper in tissue layers. Absorption of stronger light and reemission of the fluoresce will convert to red, yellow and green. It is in my experience that pinks, yellows, greens and reds glow the strongest under 10K bulbs, shorter wavelengths. In the wild this is also where UV hits the hardest and when it hits hard, these proteins create more of a protective barrier before it causes damage to the zooxanthalle. This doesnt mean that every coral will look the same just because you place it in the same area with same conditions. Every coral differs from the source of its genes. And this is why when you frag a coral and it grows in someone else's tank, it looks different than yours. ............ AND that was just talking about light.

[7thheaven]

I found this thread in RC. It is old thread (2003) but I think it has a good info.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...escent+pigment

I do not read this thread fully, but I am thinking 65K+10K+20K MH combination in my next
tank.

I wanna know your opinion about 65K and 10K.

[Aged Salt]

Hi Vince, the side with the 20K MH will appear dark[dull] in comparison. Consider 10K--6.5K--10K to prevent light stripling over your reef. Bob

[7thheaven]

Hi Vince, the side with the 20K MH will appear dark[dull] in comparison. Consider 10K--6.5K--10K to prevent light stripling over your reef. Bob

Thanks Bob~~

I am thinking 65K+10K+20K MH combination in my next tank

But 65K+10K+20K is not my sequence of my lighting system. I am just talking
the types of MH..

sorry for confusing you. Bob... but thanks for good info

[7thheaven]

Dear Bob...

10K--65K--10K can be shown yellow in my eyes?
If I install 20K bulb in front side than other bulbs, I think it can be better look.
How about this?

[Aged Salt]

Vince, no question 10K/6.5K are more yellow appearing. Your 20K will look out of place [my opinion] unless it's supplementing the above or it's incorporated with the shorter wavelengths bulbs within one reflector[DIY] Bob

[7thheaven]

Thanks Bob...


Which is better for coloration (not growth)?
1. 24inch VHO super actinic(75w 2ea)+Iwasaki 250w 65K
2. 400W BLV 10K

Both are the same 400watt...

MH Bulb choice is a very hard work...

[Aged Salt]

Hi Vince, I'm not sure I understand your question, but personally, I like actinics supplementing whatever bulb you choose[exception, 20K's are too dull]. The 13K's & 14K's with the PFO ballast, render nice color. Bob

[invincible569]

Bob is correct.. having actinic supplementation adds to the missing wavelengths a MH bulb does not provide. That is probably why you see the best tanks with 10k with actinic supplementation. I've posted this before, but I feel that I need to post again so you understand what our sun does. At 50m, UV is not a concern anymore.

[nyfireman3097]

i never knew that thanx
Nick