Outdoor coral propagation....

[SueT]

I didn't know whether to put this under coral propagation or here but wanted to get everyone's ideas on these outdoor coral propagation places that are going up. Some are quite large scale. My question is how are frags grown under the good ol' sun going to acclimate to being kept in our indoor MH lit reefs?? I think these places are doing a great thing but how is it going to affect the frags when trying to acclimate them from the sun to messily MH lighting?? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif Thoughts please.

[IrishStout]

From what I understand, some of these farmers use some suplemental lighting to go along with natural light, such as MH. I believe this is how Tropicorium does it. But this is a good question to ask seeing as how many are going up. Colin

[Chuck S]

Depending on what location you are in you will need supplimental lighting in the winter. In the summer no need for it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[SueT]

There are 3 that I know of right now. One in Florida operated by scubadude. Another operated by John Moffett of Lone Star Coral Creations in Arizona, and another that is in sunny California. These are run in complete sunlight with no supplemental lighting. I have read the set-up of John's and his worst problem is evaporation and dust blowing. All use huge tubs/tanks and have quite elaborate systems.

I have seen pics of the California systems. I am just wondering the ability of these frags to acclimate from sunlight to MH lighting regardless of intensity.

[Chuck S]

Of course you are naming the 3 places probally in the USA that would not need supplimental lighting /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

The rest of the USA is not so lucky and I would think Dick Perrin could tell you all about supplimental lighting since he has to use it up where he is.

[kevinpo]

Hi Sue,
I believe acclimation would be much the same as with wild collected corals (with much the same results). Start them low and work them up /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif . I would also expect a lot of brown ones during the acclimation time with changes in the final coloration some better, some worse and some returning to their original color.

Regards,
Kevin

[SueT]

Hey Kevin, thats is what I was wondering. Since these operations are somewhat new, how are the frags going to attempt to acclimate to so much less intensity lighting. I think these guys doing this are to be applauded, but to those of us who may be purchasing frags from them, how are the colors going to compare. The sun vs. MH. I think the sun will win out every time.

I know about Mr. Perrin's operation but was considering only propagation operations that are using sunlight only.