Light from the Sun for your tank

[OhMatic]

Is anyone using Sunlight to light their tanks?
Has anyone tried this?

 

[cmulawka]

Do a search I know some people are using those solar tubes form Home Depot

 

[SCR]

I just set up a 125, 6' long in a window that faces the south. So far everthing is working OK, but I'am waiting for the summer to see if I'll have to make any changes. I still have a light over the tank for viewing at night. It is a fish tank but have put a few pieces or coral on the back wall that faces the sun and they are doing better there than in my other tank.

 

[OhMatic]

cmulawka
I'll do a search...

SCR
How big is the window? How long has it been set up?

 

[SCR]

The window is 6' wide and about 4' high. The bottom of the window is 4' off the floor. I change the windows out to thermal pane with "Low-E" glass, no tinting.
The light seems to come in from the top of the tank more so than the back that faces the glass, I get more algea on the front than the back. The tank has been running since Thankgiving, and full of fish.
The shimmer effect really looks good for a few hours each day the sun is out. The light reflexs off the front glass and on to the rocks I'am hoping this will be enought light to get some new growth on the face of the rock.
I'll know in June or July if it works OK.

 

[OhMatic]

SCR
so your window is as long as your tank, is the tank right up close to the window?
I once had a 55g next to a window and tried to do what you are doing but it was in MD and the tank just didn't get enough light.
I think it could work, maybe a skylight or something.

 

[garvondavis14]

i looked, i can't find the solar tubes listed online?

 

[SCR]

The tank sit's about 8" in from the window. They are single hung so I can open the windows from the outside for easy cleaning when it need it, I just leave the Mag float in place on the back wall.
After the sun move higher in the sky I don't know how much light will come in the window. Time will tell.

 

[OhMatic]

garvondavis14
There is a thread on the (solar tubes) I'm not sure what it was named though. Basically its putting a pipe from your roof to your tank and letting the sunshing in.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

There are several threads regarding the use of sunlight to illuminate reef aquaria on RC. Here's one fairly recent one:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=728096