LFS wants input on new coral systems

[rms5613]

:mixed:I am in the design stage for a new coral retail system for my store. It will be aprox. 40' x 5'. The tanks I am using are 48"x24"x18" and will run in 2 rows of 10 tanks each side by side. Water depth will only be 12-16" deep depending on suggestions.
My question is in lighting. I would love to use Solartubes for this. My roof is South exposed and full light the entire day. Evening or nite will be with t5's most likley 54w per tank. What do you guys think of lighting a retail system in this manner. The tanks are only viewable from the top. Any input will be greatly appreciated.

 

[mike_cmu04]

YOu will have to have a full time lighting system available because from october to april the sun will be pretty useless to you.

 

[Fishamatank]

Agree with the above, and you will need supplemental lighting or the colors will not look all that great and sales will probably suffer.

 

[RokleM]

YOu will have to have a full time lighting system available because from october to april the sun will be pretty useless to you.

You would be quite surprised, even in Michigan (where there are coral farms too). Walk outside with a PAR meter even on a cloudy day and you'd be amazed.

Agree with the above, and you will need supplemental lighting or the colors will not look all that great and sales will probably suffer.

That I can agree with. The other issue is being top down only, you somehow have to handle flow very delicately so people can see, or will constantly be turning it on and off as people want to see the tanks. Good idea, but not sure 100% lookdown is honestly the best idea...

 

[coralcruze]

do we get a discount for help

 

[GhostCon1]

If the only option is top-down viewing, I hope you have a ton of the top-down viewers (plastic things that float on water to give a clear view underneath the surface (ok, they probably are not called that, but it sounded right!)).

I agree with needing something to supplement the light to give that *pop* in colors, all the corals I have gotten I have looked at in the sun and while they look good, nothing compares to the *pop* of fluorescent that proper lighting provides.