I am setting up a cold water marine system and I am baffled by the whole question of lighting.
Plants and coral need light to grow. But, as the argument goes, they don't only need light to grow - they need the correct intensity of light. However, most people have tropical aquariums that accommodate intricate tropical corals and plants accustomed to a paradise-like environment. A cold water marine aquarium is a total different kettle of fish!
I suspect I might need half the lighting recommended if not less. Here's why:
1. My friend in Stilbaai keeps a healthy cold water marine aquarium without any lights. The plants in his system do not wither.
2. As a scuba diver I am amazed to see the abundance of rich plant life at 30m and 40m depth where hardly any significant light penetrates. For most of the time we need diving torches even when diving in daytime. We frequently encounter sea ferns and other plants much taller than a human. They florish under low light conditions!
I cannot fathom why a 70cm deep system needs thousands of Rand's worth of lights. Does anyone know?
Plants and coral need light to grow. But, as the argument goes, they don't only need light to grow - they need the correct intensity of light. However, most people have tropical aquariums that accommodate intricate tropical corals and plants accustomed to a paradise-like environment. A cold water marine aquarium is a total different kettle of fish!
I suspect I might need half the lighting recommended if not less. Here's why:
1. My friend in Stilbaai keeps a healthy cold water marine aquarium without any lights. The plants in his system do not wither.
2. As a scuba diver I am amazed to see the abundance of rich plant life at 30m and 40m depth where hardly any significant light penetrates. For most of the time we need diving torches even when diving in daytime. We frequently encounter sea ferns and other plants much taller than a human. They florish under low light conditions!
I cannot fathom why a 70cm deep system needs thousands of Rand's worth of lights. Does anyone know?
Last edited: