scaryperson27
New member
That's really cool looking. I can't believe they transfer light that well!
Do they heat up the tank a lot less than the halide lights?
Do they heat up the tank a lot less than the halide lights?
gone solar
- Thread starter hobogato
- Start date
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
great pix. great thread.
Husky_1
Premium Member
Just think on a new system the ROI is less, if you are building a new system and consider that a good ballast,good reflectors, and bulbs will run about $300. So really, you are only paying a premium of $130 per light. ROI is now less than 3 months, you are positive in the 4th...Wow I think when I do my upgrade I will be doing the tubes.
hobogato
New member
well, i did sell my old halide setups for $100 each (good deal for the people that bought em - electronic ballast with home made lumenarc mini type reflector and reeflux 12K bulb), so i really only paid $800 out of pocket.
almost no heat from these - my chiller is hardly kicking on now
almost no heat from these - my chiller is hardly kicking on now
NanoReefWanabe
Active member
that is amazing...i am quite impressed with the overall look of the tubes and their termination in the house as well...very nice job...i really like the open top look to the tank now...i am sure the combination of removing all the ballast and those huge hot bulbs along with removing the canopy has huge effects on the lack of heat you are now experiencing..
i wonder if these tubes come with horizontal exterior termination kits? i will have no way of running tubes through my second floor....but i have no problems cutting a bunch of 14" holes in the side of my house..(the south side)
man i cant wait my for my new tank LOL..
i wonder if these tubes come with horizontal exterior termination kits? i will have no way of running tubes through my second floor....but i have no problems cutting a bunch of 14" holes in the side of my house..(the south side)
man i cant wait my for my new tank LOL..
hobogato
New member
any deviation from straight line decreases the amount of light transferred. the manufacturer of the ones i used recommends no more than a 15 degree bend. the bell shape on the bottom of the tubes is actually a modified plastic planter from lowe's 
they actually look better now than in the picture because i sealed all of the seams on the tubes and where they join the plastic bezel on top and bottom with calk that was smoothed to give the appearance of one solid piece. the bells are coated with reflective chrome paint on the inside to direct all sun rays down into the tank without letting them escape over the top edge.
they actually look better now than in the picture because i sealed all of the seams on the tubes and where they join the plastic bezel on top and bottom with calk that was smoothed to give the appearance of one solid piece. the bells are coated with reflective chrome paint on the inside to direct all sun rays down into the tank without letting them escape over the top edge.
belgian_waffleman
New member
Great idea! As others have said, not that great here up north, I think
How is the moonlight effect on this?
I have read that these solar tubes can light a room just from the moonlight.
Waffleman
How is the moonlight effect on this?
I have read that these solar tubes can light a room just from the moonlight.
Waffleman
barnett8
Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13213523#post13213523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hobogato
here it is at night when the actinics are still on (looks like im calling aliens
Ha! What do your neighbors think of that.
I love that you actually took the initiative to get the Solatubes.
Must save a ton on the electric bill too.
hobogato
New member
it actually isnt very visible from the front of the house - you would really have to be looking for it.....
electricity bill was $170 lower this month with only three of the four weeks affected by the change to solar. we made a couple of other efficiency improvements as well tho, so all of the savings cant be attributed to the change.
electricity bill was $170 lower this month with only three of the four weeks affected by the change to solar. we made a couple of other efficiency improvements as well tho, so all of the savings cant be attributed to the change.
jpa0741
New member
Thanks for putting so many ideas in everybodys heads around here. I wonder what the wife will think when she finds me cutting holes in the roof and I tell her it is for the tank. Those progression pics are awesome and looks to be more then enough light. Bravo, I must say this is my new must have future upgrade someday.
Those progression pics are awesome and looks to be more then enough light. Bravo, I must say this is my new must have future upgrade someday.
serpentman
part time superhero
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13215550#post13215550 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jpa0741
Thanks for putting so many ideas in everybodys heads around here. I wonder what the wife will think when she finds me cutting holes in the roof and I tell her it is for the tank.
Better to ask for forgiveness than for permission. Unfortunately, even if it saved me $500/mo, I am not sure I could convince mine. Plus, here in Ohio, I wonder how effective it would be (I'll keep telling myself that).
NewSchool04
New member
What do you think about the color? How does the natural light look to the eye compared to your old MH?
REEF-n-Chicago
New member
Awesome! really great idea....
Is it very yellow or do the atinics balance it out?
Is it very yellow or do the atinics balance it out?
PnoyReefeR
New member
Nice Ace!.. I was following your thread over the Large tank forum and I am speechless on your set up. Those Solar tube are nice.. Keep us updated so far all your corals looks really happy and starting to color up.. Thanks man!
