I can see it now.
Looks really good!

Ah yes, I see the problem now with the beams of light. I'll do hem right next time.
For the plants part, I didnt try to reproduce an authentic tropical underwater background. Im pretty sure the flowers I put there dont exist at all...

And about the Joint... only one and a half floors left...
bring it on, beetlejuice.



EDIT- okay, the broken image should be fixed now... IE users couldnt see the picture for some reason, changed it for a GIF and now it works.

My two cents. The rays of light are only problematic because light enters water through it therefore it 'beams' in straight and consistent beams only. The more 'beams' you have the more choppy the water would be. Therefore you have too many beams or two little water disturbance. As you mention using the layers to soften as you go inward would go a long way to add depth. In particular the school can be soft as can the sharks. That however is not the worst thing. The foreground plants are perfect for some springtime fields in the country but fail miserably underwater. Because the coral formation indicates its a tropical underwater view the plants would be more fan-like and tentacly (?) These types of plants/organisms are usually not bloomy in nature. Additionally, they are more likely to live on the coral rather than grow from the ground. Seaweed, kelp and such yes but not this type of plant.

I did make an underwater Joint if you care to see it for visual reference. While there notice that its the only Joint room to have ever gotten a monthly trophy, albeit a 10th place. I like to consider the Joint my turf and you buddy have crossed the line by making a kick-ass room that on its own rivals my 24 rooms...this is WAR!!!

Red x of doom for me too I'm afraid :/

I think the light rays always comes toward the viewer eyes. Somehow in a arc. and also i dont think there can be multiple angles to the rays. But I ain't no light expert :D

Heres a little video reference http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/who/facial_expressions/calm/2082871_looping_ocean_waves_underwater_light_rays.php?id=2082871

But everything else rocks

I don't? :\

Anyway, the rays are awesome.  Nice job.

I also get a red x for the full view.

red x

Inkspot:
I agree when you say it lacks depth, but I dont think it is because of the colours. I really like how it turned out in this aspect: a cool, calm, soft atmosphere...

I think that my problem might be how clearly, cleanly split the different planes are. Its too easy to spot like, where "layer" 1, 2 and 3 are. I should have made the mountains closer and put some sort of connection between at least two of these "layers", like with a bridge of rock, or a slope from the foreground area to the middle cliff (the one with the stone loops). Or maybe some sort of big lump of coral sprouting between two of the layers.

One other thing I might work on, is I think it lacks alguae and flowers. That underwater greenery touch is present, but not enough. My initial vision was much more flowerey. Theres only two "varieties" of alguae there right now, ill try to add some more.... Ill post a new version when its done. Keep those comments flowing though, they help!

Corel:
Aww you think? Thats actually like, the fourth version of the light rays, I made it again and again trying to find what looked good. I thought that one was gonna be the good one! Ill try removing some of the rays... And, what do you mean when you say varied?
Also, HIARGH Sluggy is everywhere! Go away you green slimey freak! STOP HAUNTING MY EVERY STEP

Nice work but it lacks depth in my opinion. Everything just seems dull gray, like some modern cave-drawing.

i think there's just too many light rays, maybe you could make them a little more varied and spaced? or maybe it could just be a brightness issue.

also i edited your picture it was missing something:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/Corelkun/surprise.gif

So cool.  Fav'd.