[Coral-List] Suitable lighting for coral maintenance in the aquarium

[SIVIWE ELVIS]

Dear fellow Coral Reef researchers

I am interested in conducting aquarium experiments with corals (Pocillopora and Anomastrea species) to be collected from the wild (inter-tidal and sub-tidal zone). This is to inquire about the best lights to use which would produce the natural day light spectrum to mimic the natural coral environment, achieving optimal growth for these coral animals while in maintained in glass tanks. 

I am not good with lights but I seemingly need to make a choice between either T5 (fluorescent tube) or T8 (LED strips tube) lights for coral maintenance. Any advice and suggestions or references in this regard will be highly appreciated.

Thank you

Best regards

Siviwe Babane (MSc Marine Biology student)

University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN)
College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science
School of Life Science
Biological Science Department
Westville, University road
Durban 
4000