| When adding coral to your aquarium, it is crucial to | | | | most of them provide both colors as an industry |
| remember that they require more light than most | | | | standard. |
| other life-forms you might want to add specifically | | | | While it is essential to have the minimum amount |
| because they feed on fatty and amino acids | | | | of light in order to meet the xooxanthellae's |
| created through photosynthesis by an algae living | | | | minimum requires for photosynthesis to work, it is |
| in symbiosis with them called the Zooxanthellae. | | | | also important to note that it has an upper limit |
| Without light, therefore, zooxanthellae cannot | | | | tolerance as well. Your lights must therefore be in |
| produce food and your coral will perish. | | | | the middle or bad things will happen to both the |
| There are some species of coral that can survive | | | | zooxanthellae, and as a byproduct, the coral. |
| with the normal amount of lighting, so for the | | | | While not an exact science as how much or how |
| beginner, you may want to stick to these species. | | | | little light depends on how many xooxanthellae |
| Specifically, Mushroom Coral and Coral Polyps can | | | | reside in the coral, and that can be anywhere |
| survive with normal lighting techniques. | | | | from thousands to millions, but a good place to |
| Conversely, species such as SPS (Small Polyp | | | | start would be to ensure that your intensity |
| Stony Coral) that include Acoropora, Montipora, | | | | minimum is 3000-lux and that you don't go above |
| Porites, Brain Coral, Bubble Coral, Elegance Coral, | | | | 120,000-lux. While this may seem to be a quite |
| Cup Coral, Torch Coral, and Trumpet Coral require | | | | wide and open range, you will have to make |
| far greater intensity with lighting, making them a | | | | determinations base on the behavior of your coral. |
| substantially greater challenge for the aquarium | | | | Good quality types of lamps to use would include |
| hobbyist, especially considering more light usually | | | | florescent, and you should use six lamps, or if |
| means more harmful algae will grow in the tank. | | | | your aquarium is not wide enough for that, then it |
| The best lighting technique to keep your coral | | | | is recommended that you instead utilize high |
| safe is the light emitting diode (LED) technology, | | | | output lamps, which are more expensive, but |
| which has begun to make the former standards: | | | | necessary. You should replace these bulbs every |
| gas and filament based lighting systems obsolete. | | | | six months. Power compact florescent lamps, |
| Though initially more expensive then gas and | | | | which are U-shaped, are an even better option, |
| filament systems, over time they save money | | | | and you will only need four. |
| because they use less power and have a longer | | | | Coral is an excellent addition to any aquarium, and |
| lifespan, meaning less replacement costs and | | | | there are many fish that enjoy coral as a food |
| hassle. | | | | source. Regardless if you have added coral to |
| It is important to note that the zooxanthellae's | | | | your aquarium to survive or as sustenance for |
| photosynthesis process require light of two | | | | your fish, you have to have the right lighting or it |
| different colors: red and blue, which is why | | | | won't survive. |
| aquarium lights often will exude a purple hue, as | | | | |