These artificial reefs are pretty common for large displays. There's lots of challenges to doing a large real reef tank, such as fish disease management, coral chemical warfare, coral health and lighting needs, reef compatible fish etc.
This is the way to go for large displays... you see these at Rainforest Cafe, casinos, hotels, public aquarium/zoos.
I spent some time volunteering at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa as a volunteer diver. Basically, scrubbing algae off these artificial reefs and cleaning windows in their 27 foot deep main reef tank and shark tank.
|