1 Year Anniversary- Our 400 Gallon Natural Sun-Lit Reef

[jdpiii3]

Looks awesome, love the concept.

Thank you!

 

[CAPSLOK]

That is one awesome tank. You must have already saved the installation costs in electricity alone (plus the headache of dealing with the lights and such). Super cool. I want.

 

[jdpiii3]

That is one awesome tank. You must have already saved the installation costs in electricity alone (plus the headache of dealing with the lights and such). Super cool. I want.

Thank you! Yes I have saved quite a bit this past year on our electric bill its been about 40% less monthly. But that saving get put back into the system with salt, food, and water bills going up

 

[ravi197699]

very nice how much does it cost for the solartubes and are you able to keep sps with natural sunlight ?

 

[jdpiii3]

very nice how much does it cost for the solartubes and are you able to keep sps with natural sunlight ?

the install was a piece of cake, I had a roofer cut the holes in the roof and install the roof flange [for insurance compliance] I did the rest of it, the entire install took about 4 hours. Cost about $1,100 plus the domes and tubes come with a 10 year warranty.

Yes I have been keeping sps for about 8 months now, I started with small frags they all show growth. I just made a purchase for 30 more sps frags you can see the pictures in my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2040499

 

[coreenm]

Stunning! I love how you built it into the wall.

 

[jdpiii3]

Stunning! I love how you built it into the wall.

Thank you! I just ordered a piece of granite to replace the wood shelve in front of the tank.

 

[golfish]

Yeah man, great tank...I didn't see this info, prolly missed it. How long are the tubes and how many bends? I'm guessing all the inside of the tube is reflective, do you ever have to clean\polish the inside?

I love all the fish, the vid was great.

 

[RaviC]

the tank is really nice and I love the lighting. I've never heard of natural sunlight before. It's really awesome, nice job

 

[david pinder]

Did the same but doesnt work as well in Houston. For 7 months a yr the tubes are,fine but every November the corals would start dying. Have 2 10ft tanks accross from each other, finally had to load one up with lights to have sps. Love the concept but believe its want work just anywhere, especially when sps are involved. The other tank is mostly softies with a few lights

 

[t4zalews]

Any thoughts of adding supplemental lighting to the tank or are you happy with the colors you get from natural?

 

[jdpiii3]

Yeah man, great tank...I didn't see this info, prolly missed it. How long are the tubes and how many bends? I'm guessing all the inside of the tube is reflective, do you ever have to clean\polish the inside?

I love all the fish, the vid was great.

Thank you! The tubes are 12 feet long and 21" in diameter and have two 30 degree bends they are mirror polished. according to the manufacture nothing needs to be done to them. They also come with a 10 year warranty.

the tank is really nice and I love the lighting. I've never heard of natural sunlight before. It's really awesome, nice job

Thank you!

Did the same but doesnt work as well in Houston. For 7 months a yr the tubes are,fine but every November the corals would start dying. Have 2 10ft tanks accross from each other, finally had to load one up with lights to have sps. Love the concept but believe its want work just anywhere, especially when sps are involved. The other tank is mostly softies with a few lights

There are some advantages to living in Florida. Now if I can just figure out what to do with all of this hot.

Any thoughts of adding supplemental lighting to the tank or are you happy with the colors you get from natural?

Not for daily lighting, but I will be adding a led system for night time viewing.

 

[Nizz]

This is pretty cool. I am moving to destin, fl next month. I hope they get the same amount of lighting.

 

[jdpiii3]

This is pretty cool. I am moving to destin, fl next month. I hope they get the same amount of lighting.

Thank you! If you plan on going this route make sure the domes have a clear shot of the southwest sky. Use the largest dome in your roof you can always shade them if its to much light.

 

[Nizz]

Thank you! If you plan on going this route make sure the domes have a clear shot of the southwest sky. Use the largest dome in your roof you can always shade them if its to much light.

Will do. Thanks.