Apologies just re-read ...Need to clarify...warmer water less dense therefore lower SG. However the evaporation tends to be the dominant factor increasing SG which explains the higher calcium levels in ppm in these high energy surf areas.. Tropical reef areas generally are warmer and do have marginally higher SG due to evaporation.
Not enough...A lot of emphasise must also be placed on the quality of flow. Chaotic turbulence is the ideal that should be aimed for. Dead spots should be avioded. (areas where detritus falls out and collects)Thanks sunburst, the DT is 550L I have two seio 1100 and one 1500, would that be enough water movement?
Great lighting unit. I would change one halide. Yes your lighting can be seen as overkill, however,... if sps is your goal ...this is not the case. From some of my more recent experiences the quality of light has a profound effect on colour and growth of sps. As for the T5's they are not the primary light source and therefore IMO should rather be the one's that you neglect. Your corals will adapt to the primary light source making the T5s only useful for aesthetics only.For the lighting I run a AM 2 x 250w MH 10000K (Tubes 25 months old) and 4x 54w T5s giesseman 15000K I think (all new). Althought the MHs are old i would not think that they would be that much of an issue because they're a bit of overkill already, but if anyone else thinks it may be the prob let me know.