Tip of the Day – 3/2/2011

Actinic lighting was originally used on aquariums to accent coral colors and help mimic the coloration of deeper waters. Over the years though, coral vendors have been abusing these lights by bathing their corals in purple and blue light and photographing the visually augmented corals. The photo would inevitably find its way onto the vendor’s website and hobbyists who purchase these corals are usually disappointed in the not so colorful in real life specimen. Alternatively, some vendors Photoshop their coral images to make them appear more colorful. Unfortunately, coral vendors are so bold that they also use heavy actinic lighting in person at aquarium events. For some reason, hobbyists still purchase these corals and don’t seem to mind that they are essentially getting lied to.