natural coral reef

I forgot to mention floating particulates in the water column as well at deeper depths. That also blocks out light.

 

I just an idea for a "natural" reef tank. Build a 72x48x72 tank, 1075g, put 2 400w metal halides over the top of the reef structure and have 2 1000w halides over the other so it will penetrate the bottom of it, and you will have yourself a 2meter natural style tank that could be easily turned into a natural representation of a 2meter deep reef.

 

"Most of that hasnt been tested to my knowledge."

outside of what you wrote maybe i should approach this a different way
what are the optimal light configurations under normal ocean reef conditions at the average depth for maximum output in a simple mh pc set up. the light dilema has and will go on forever with us reefers. all bulbs claim to be the best for growth, some reefers swear by 10k some by 6500k. others use a combination with pc either 50/50 or 03 actinic. is it that they all work within the range for maximum, and its that simple. or is there more to this, other than what was written.

and yes i will continue to chase my dam tail.
there are people out there that study coral reefs, somebody has to have some data somewhere.

 

Geek is right... I it would be completely impossible for one to create a ocean in a 100, 200, 300, 400 ,500, 600, 700 gallon tank.... If you were stirring sand to create hurricanes and etc, you would have huge ammonia spikes causing your fish to die... By getting a strong light, very, very, very powerful light, it would give to much light to the tank...

 

Yes well I told Dr Smuck and his clowns the very same thing 15 yrs ago or so and all I got was you are not a expert! The Dr's know more then you and yadda yadda I say go for it I have seen the Good Dr borrow a line I used often about their little boxes full of saltwater does not a ocean make and to try and segregate a simple concept of a DSB and to remove and isolate that from the entire surrounding eco-system of water in the ocean just tells me you wasted lots of money Buying your intelligence And you can't buy Common sense . But as for Light Values at depth there is some information as for the K values at different levels on average depending on water conditions in a ocean nothing is static it rain's then silt run off and storms oil spills tides bring stuff in and out..

 

i understand the entire ocean concept regarding what geek wrote, there are averages out there pertaining to the information im trying to get. putting aside what geek wrote involving anything other than light.

there are parameters for nsw regarding salt, Ca, dKH and so on that is a guidline for us to follow. the oceans salinity is different all over the world, but the average is what we use. same for all other elements, now if you were to take into effect what geek wrote, there would be no averages to follow. nothing against geek or what he wrote. BUT. there has to be an average regarding the information im looking for somewhere.

 

if there are no answers anywhere pertaining to what im looking for since it hasnt been researched.
and i already know the answer, sorry to even ask, the light dilema, chasing my tail, and so on.
what is the best mh bulb on the market in a specific kelvin that matches the values im looking for in order to maximize the reef?

 

I always thought that pcrf.org had cool data on the reefs they studied that may help you out.

Here is an example:
Nukufetau Atoll, Tuvalu

Note depths, temp, visibility, gps, etc..

 

On average in and around the island and all estimates where given on crystal clear water at
10 to 20 feet of depth it was about 10 K
20 to 50 ft was on average 15 K
50 to 90 feet was 20 K

Now before all the lighting experts jump on me this is a average all depending one time of day and longitude and latitude and weather conditions .

But if memory serves me ??? It was taken at Midway Island maybe it was the Marshal Island ?? I'll have to dig that up if anyone cares ? But after these are just fishtanks and not a OCEAN. So YOUR MILEAGE WILL VARY.

 

Heres the thing, you can check a spot one day, come back to the EXACT same spot the next day, and you readings will be different. what people need to do is find what works for THEM. Every tank is different. If you came and saw how I did things, you would freak out, BUT I get EXCELLENT growth and colorations. motnipora digitata's grow about 1/2" a week, acroporas about 1/4-1/2" a month on all branches.