At the Georgia Aquarium’s Dolphin Coast Theatre, bottlenose dolphins thrive in an 1,800-seat venue filled with 1.6 million gallons of salt water. When upgrading the lighting system, SGM fixtures were chosen to meet the unique challenges of this aquatic environment. “Russell Sorrow and the Georgia Aquarium are one of our most appreciated and valued partners in designing new solutions for challenging applications” says Nicolas Champion of SGM Light.
Russell Sorrow, Assistant Manager of Lighting and Technical Systems, explains: “The intensity and coverage of the pool from the SGM P-10 and P-5 TW was so even and punchy that the dolphin trainers were able to have better visibility all the way to the bottom of the 30-foot habitat. With conventional fixtures, the bottom of the pool was a struggle to light evenly, there were always hot spots and areas left in shadow. That is not the case with the SGM fixtures. The added light level allows for safer training sessions, allows our cleaning and maintenance divers to perform their task more efficiently, and the dolphins are receiving the lighting that they need to thrive.”
The venue’s harsh conditions—high humidity, salt, and ionized water—demanded durable fixtures. SGM’s IP-rated lights performed exceptionally, resisting corrosion and delivering superior output. Sorrow added, “The durability and customer service made SGM the top choice, and we continue to use their fixtures across the aquarium.”
Barbizon Lighting Atlanta and SESCO Lighting Atlanta were also key partners in implementing this lighting solution, ensuring a perfect balance between technical needs and animal safety.
Products used:
24 P-10
15 Q-10
17 Q-8
36 P-5 TW Wash
Further information from SGM Light: www.sgmlight.com
