gone solar

Any thoughts as to why the shimmering effect has been lost?!? Typically MH replicate the shimmering effect of natural light, so I am wondering why it has now been lost?

Is it because the sunlight is going thgrough glass/plastic lens? Any thoughts as to how to recover the effect?

Thanks
 
It is because the light is no longer a point-source, but rather more diffused over the entire tube opening.
 
it hasnt. it is actually much more apparent during the brightest part of the day. it is so bright on the white sand that it hurts my eyes if i look at it too long :)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13326028#post13326028 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by g8gxp
Any thoughts as to why the shimmering effect has been lost?!?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13326039#post13326039 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Runner
It is because the light is no longer a point-source, but rather more diffused over the entire tube opening.

????

The sunlight is being focused through lens now, how is it more diffused? It's like a magnifying glass.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13218988#post13218988 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hobogato


the shimmer effect is diminished to non existent, but quite a bit of light still gets to the tank.

sorry, I'm a little confused now, so the shimmer effect is greater now than it was before, is that correct?
 
yes, the shimmer effect is in the tank from about 10am to 6pm as it always was with halides, but the shimmers are much brighter than they were with halides from about 12 to 3pm. i think it is just because the light coming in is brighter than the halides were. the sun is still a point source for light - just like a halide bulb.
 
I seem to recall the shimmer being more of a rainbow of colors, due to the wider variety of colors in the spectrum, it was truly a most awesome sight and made the shimmer from MH look so pale by comparison it wasn't funny... . seeing reds and yellows dancing around was just so stunning.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13326558#post13326558 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by g8gxp
????

The sunlight is being focused through lens now, how is it more diffused? It's like a magnifying glass.
It's more diffused. The sun is much more of a point source than the tubes. Here's an experiment you can try, hold up your pinky finger at arm's length you can block the entire sun (minus the glow) now you got 14" in diameter at a distance of a couple feet... way larger angular size.
 
i am not at home right now, but i think you are right - there is more color in the shimmer. it is about like looking at a swimming pool.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13327566#post13327566 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sfsuphysics
I seem to recall the shimmer being more of a rainbow of colors, due to the wider variety of colors in the spectrum, it was truly a most awesome sight and made the shimmer from MH look so pale by comparison it wasn't funny... . seeing reds and yellows dancing around was just so stunning.
 
Great Job. I have always wanted Solar and one of these days when we build a house most of it will be Solar. I can't wait to see the growth and color after a year or so.
 
yep, this has me thinking of all kinds of ways to go green when i am ready to have our next house built (even tho that is 12 years or so down the road). of course, who knows where technology will be at that time :)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13330002#post13330002 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Underwaterparadise
Great Job. I have always wanted Solar and one of these days when we build a house most of it will be Solar. I can't wait to see the growth and color after a year or so.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13333058#post13333058 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hobogato
yep, this has me thinking of all kinds of ways to go green when i am ready to have our next house built (even tho that is 12 years or so down the road). of course, who knows where technology will be at that time :)

I am an Architect and I'm getting ready to start design/building my own home... I was planning on going to LEED certification... maybe this will help me earn some extra points... heheheee
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13327964#post13327964 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hobogato
well, looks like hurricane ike may give my work on the roof a pretty good test this weekend.....

Good luck man. I hope it doesn't have your power out long...(knocks on wood)...
 
Yeah, good luck! But you have harnessed the power of the sun to light your tank...maybe the hurricane can be used as a Green wavemaker! :lol:

Seriously though, hope it all turns out ok.
 
looks like a shift to the east will keep it pretty much away from us - those in houston wont be so lucky....

my best wishes go out to all of you.
 
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