Increase lighting power or increase lighting time ?

[forzaazzurri]

Is a 100 PAR light left on for 12 hours the same as a 50 PAR light left on for 24 hours ?

 

[Dimdim]

The amount of time a lightbulb is on has absolutely nothing in common with how good they are or comparing. Its just time. Whoever would have thought running a stove at half power twice as long to cook something the same way isnt gonna turn out the same.

 

[forzaazzurri]

My understanding is light for corals is mainly to feed them. The more PAR the more food is produced during that period. Wouldn't less PAR mean less food produced but over a longer time they will get their daily dose.

 

[Dimdim]

All photosynthesizing creatures and life need a minimum of 6 hrs complete darkness to respire and rest from growing. There having lights on 24/7will result in dead corals and bad algae growth

 

[jeffaquarius]

The amount of time a lightbulb is on has absolutely nothing in common with how good they are or comparing. Its just time. Whoever would have thought running a stove at half power twice as long to cook something the same way isnt gonna turn out the same.

+1 Plants and corals need just enough intensity of light to have an effective photosynthesis. It's synonymous to baking a cake at the right temperature within a length of time