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Basic Advice

How​ ​to​ ​Arrange​ ​Your​ ​Corals​ ​Based​ ​on​ ​Your​ ​Lighting

Corals​ ​need​ ​light​ ​to​ ​grow​ ​and​ ​flourish​ ​in​ ​your​ ​reef​ ​aquarium.​ ​​Once​ ​you’ve​ ​narrowed​ ​down​ ​what type​ ​of​ ​light​ ​you’ll​ ​use​,​ ​arranging​ ​your​ ​corals​ ​based​ ​on​ ​the​ ​chosen​ ​lights​ ​will​ ​determine​ ​if​ ​they thrive​ ​or​ ​fail.​ ​Keep​ ​in​ ​mind,​ ​each​ ​lighting​ ​style:​ ​LED,​ ​compact​ ​fluorescent,​ ​metal​ ​halides​ ​and​ ​T5 fixtures​ ​has​ ​pros​ ​and​ ​cons,​ ​and​ ​corals​ ​respond​ ​differently​ ​to​ ​each.  
 
Initially,​ ​you​ ​should​ ​start​ ​with​ ​lower​ ​light​ ​in​ ​the​ ​center​ ​and​ ​move​ ​your​ ​corals​ ​slowly​ ​as​ ​you observe​ ​how​ ​they​ ​adjust​ ​to​ ​the​ ​different​ ​sections​ ​of​ ​the​ ​aquarium. 
 
Metal​ ​halides​​ ​grow​ ​SPS​ ​(small​ ​polyp)​ ​corals​ ​quickly,​ ​but​ ​take​ ​care​ ​not​ ​to​ ​have​ ​the​ ​high​ ​intensity versions​ ​as​ ​they​ ​can​ ​also​ ​burn​ ​your​ ​corals.​ ​SPS​ ​can​ ​be​ ​placed​ ​middle​ ​to​ ​top​ ​of​ ​the​ ​tank whereas​ ​LPS​ ​(large​ ​fleshy​ ​corals)​ ​should​ ​be​ ​with​ ​the​ ​soft​ ​corals​ ​at​ ​the​ ​bottom.  
 
While​ ​fading​ ​in​ ​popularity,​ ​​CFL​s​ ​do​ ​allow​ ​you​ ​to​ ​place​ ​your​ ​LPS​ ​and​ ​soft​ ​coral​ ​anywhere​ ​in​ ​the tank.​ ​The​ ​downside​ ​with​ ​compact​ ​fluorescents​ ​is​ ​that​ ​they​ ​do​ ​not​ ​grow​ ​SPS​ ​corals. 
 
Since​ ​the​ ​quality​ ​of​ ​​LED​ ​lighting​​ ​can​ ​vary,​ ​be​ ​sure​ ​to​ ​use​ ​high​ ​quality​ ​LED,​ ​which​ ​brings​ ​out​ ​the colors​ ​of​ ​your​ ​corals.​ ​Most​ ​LEDs​ ​can​ ​be​ ​adjusted​ ​in​ ​strength.​ ​With​ ​LEDs,​ ​SPS​ ​corals​ ​should​ ​be at​ ​the​ ​top,​ ​LPS​ ​in​ ​the​ ​middle​ ​and​ ​soft​ ​corals​ ​at​ ​the​ ​bottom. 
 
Need​ ​help​ ​determining​ ​which​ ​type​ ​of​ ​lighting​ ​will​ ​be​ ​best​ ​for​ ​your​ ​particular​ ​aquarium​ ​setup? We’re​ ​here​ ​to​ ​help!​ ​​Get​ ​in​ ​touch​​ ​with​ ​us! 

About Jon Wolf

Servicing Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana & Michigan, Blue Planet Aquarium Services has been the most trusted name in aquarium design, installation and maintenance since 1999. A company large enough to be dependable but small enough to still watch out for your best interests, Blue Planet is the only company to call if you are planning to install an aquarium or have one maintained.

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