<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12637650#post12637650 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by adunne
slakker thats a very interesting idea you have there... assuming the data could be gathered for the interested areas i'd assume the software wouldnt be that difficult to make control the lights.
It's never been software that has stumped me...I mean, I'm sure it would be difficult, but I've worked with a ton of programming languages and like to think I'm pretty good at figuring out how to make a computer do stuff. Far as I can tell it would pretty much just be a matter of switching different lights on and off for different conditions.
For instance, on my tank build I'll have my 175w halide and 2x39w T5 for supplementation. Ideally it would be 4x39w, 2xactinic 2x10k. Say we're simulating a Fiji reef, and the "data miner" program finds that it's overcast in Fiji on that particular day. The Halide's would never come on, and the T5's would (in my mind, at least partially) simulate an overcast sky (uniform, softer light, no point source, less intense). Maybe it's really cloudy and stormy, just the actinics come on, maybe one of the 10k or something.
I've also heard whispering on the wind about a ballast that is capable of running all sorts of algorithms to reproduce cloudy skies and thunderstorms and all sorts of other cool stuff. That would make it REALLY easy...program would basically have to consist of "Ballast; it's storming. Go."
Ever since I first became interested in the hobby this has been something I've dreamed of doing...All of those sensitive creatures that we keep capturing off of the reef, but can't get to breed...what if something like this is the answer? What if they need an accurate simulation of the photoperiods of their native environment?
To be honest I have no idea how to create the hardware end of things. Interfacing between the lights and computer is what I don't really understand. Guess I should get to know an electrical engineer or two
