gone solar

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13284973#post13284973 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mborn
I have 14” tubes so I cut ~15” diameter circles from the filters. I take the plastic domes off the top of the tubes and place the filter circles over the top of the tubes and then place the domes back on (at the time of year I use the filters I don’t use the semicircle reflectors, I only use those in winter). Since the filters are a larger diameter than the tubes, the edges get pinched down between the plastic dome and the exterior lip of the tubes and are held in place. I currently don’t have any pictures of this. I’ll get some pictures of them this weekend if you’d like, as I don’t have time to go on the roof and pull the domes off in the morning before work, and it’s getting dark when I get home in the evening and I don’t want to be on the roof at that time.
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Mborn so you place the filters way on the top of the dome. I think it would be better if you would place the filters on the bottom part of the tubes. Don't you think you will get more light this way.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13273327#post13273327 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hobogato
great matt, dont forget to post some pics - look forward to seeing it!
Click to expand...

I'll be happy to share... but I haven't even seen it during the day. I installed on Monday afternoon, and by the time I was finished the sun was well on its way down. Since then I've only seen it first thing in the morning before work, and late afternoon after work.

Can't wait to check it out on the weekend, then maybe I can post some pictures.

-Matt
 
this question may have been answered, but do you foresee any deterioration of the top plastic/acrylic outside on the roof? how often do you clean it?
 
This is such an awesome thread. Has anyone asked if this is possible for people that live in the Northern part of the US??? I live in WA State and would love to try something like this. It would probably not be plausible during the entire year, but maybe sometimes? Just wanted to know.
 
GUILLO1, I’ve tried placing the filters on the bottom of the tubes directly over the tank too, and I really haven’t noticed a difference in the intensity of the light. Although, I haven’t measured the light with a meter so there very well could be a variation. There’s no attic space over my aquarium room and my tubes are only 3.5 feet from roof to tank and in the summer they are very bright. So my main reason for using the filters is to cut down on intensity. Also, they’d get coated with dried salt from spray from the tank and I’d have to take them off and clean them every few weeks. When they’re up top they stay perfectly clean and I can forget about them until I take them down in winter. Here are a couple of pictures of green corals under the solatubes with filters. There’s no supplemental blue or actinic lighting, just filtered tubes. Since this is hobogato’s thread and my tank isn’t an SPS dominated tank, I’m going to post some FTS giving a brief summery of the progression of my solatube tank in the solatube thread in the advanced forum.



35791mil31.jpg


35791br21.jpg
 
Bravo!!!!

Tagging along, I am very interested in this for a future home, I don't think the landlord of my townhouse would go for it now!
 
murf i love your quote, too bad too many knuckleheads tried to put out their c4 by stepping on it or we could have still used it to cook with
 
I've been watching this thread for a while, and have seen a similar result in Australia. I am getting a quote for 4 solatubes over my 4'x4'.

We'll see what happens but I think I will make the jump to green lighting!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13292649#post13292649 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jojoyojimbi
murf i love your quote, too bad too many knuckleheads tried to put out their c4 by stepping on it or we could have still used it to cook with
Click to expand...

That is just cleaning out the gene pool!!!!
 
Hobogato - NICE JOB!!

Love this thread. I've been considering cutting up my brand new house for 1 year now. for my 300g. Im thinking 3 14" or possib 2 18" solar tubes. my tank is 96" L x24" W x30" H.

My 250W MH x3 150W x2 are not cutting it... and I live in SUNNY Arizona. Save on power and get a natural sunrise/sunset affect without spending $1000 on a ACLS light controller

guillo1 - what size tank are you using these for and how deep is it ..
 
nice job guillo ;)

thanks phxkeller - your tank is about the same footprint as mine, so three 14" tubes would work well. you may get dark areas with two 18" tube, but i am not sure.

was picking up toys off of the floor this morning and looked up at the tank - thought it would make a neat pic, so here it is.....

DSC02692.jpg
 
dude that's a nice shot and a great thread. congrats on thread of the week and Keep us updated. i love the shots. i can't wait to do the same so i'm going to be coming to you for any questions i may have down the road.
 
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