Post pics of your sunlight powered reef here
- Thread starter amfynn
- Start date
DBarsotti
New member
I've heard this on serval occasions throughout my time in the hobby, even to the extend that I shouldn't have a tank near a window because it'll grow algae. I don't understand this? Why would it grow algae any more than a heavily lit tank? If sunlight gets to the tank what's the big deal? Free light for the corals right? If you've got a ton of algae in your tank I would assume its due to excess nutrients or a lack of animals consuming the algae, not too much light.
Not trying to be mean, just curious where this is rooted from.
apt220
Member
I assume it was carried over from people who kept fish only salt and fresh water tanks which were high in nutrients and that were lit by very low PAR lights. They assumed it would do the same thing in a reef tank because they didn't know the root of the problem, which is obviously excess nutrients.
I do think, however, that sunlight will favor a different type of algae that "artificial" light doesn't favor, which probably depends on the differences in wavelengths. But of course, without excess nutrients, this is a moot point.
I do think, however, that sunlight will favor a different type of algae that "artificial" light doesn't favor, which probably depends on the differences in wavelengths. But of course, without excess nutrients, this is a moot point.
amfynn
New member
One of the biggest myths in this hobby.
Keep your nutrients low...and you won't have a problem. Step out of line...and I mean just a little bit...and sunlit tanks will grow algae like there is no tomorrow. Artificially lit tanks are more forgiving, mainly due to the spectrum output being different to that of sunlight. Algae like the spectrum output given out by the sun (around 5500K - 6500K). On artificially lighted tanks, we tend to use higher kelvins in the 10 000 to 20 000K range.
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amfynn
New member
Thanks...:beer: Here's to 2012!
DBarsotti
New member
One of the biggest myths in this hobby.
Keep your nutrients low...and you won't have a problem. Step out of line...and I mean just a little bit...and sunlit tanks will grow algae like there is no tomorrow. Artificially lit tanks are more forgiving, mainly due to the spectrum output being different to that of sunlight. Algae like the spectrum output given out by the sun (around 5500K - 6500K). On artificially lighted tanks, we tend to use higher kelvins in the 10 000 to 20 000K range.
Makes sense to me
jdpiii3
Member
Hi guys I came across your thread today and though I would show my natural sun-lit reef using two 21" sun domes
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2040499
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2040499
REEF SMAC
New member
Glad you did! :thumbsup:
HHIreefer843
New member
That is unreal!!! The growth is awesome!! What kind of skimmers do you use??
denny crain
Member
I knew you could use nsw but never knew you could use nsl.
Amazing
Amazing
karsseboom
New member
lol serious? how do you think the reefs get there light?
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
not 100% sun powered
not 100% sun powered
but enough that Sanjay noticed immediately
not 100% sun powered
but enough that Sanjay noticed immediately
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
has your lighting changed since the first shot til now?So going back to the post that started this thread, here is my system in January this year.
And here it is now, a year in the making.
i need help..i am very new to salt water tanks..i just started building ma second tank which is a 90 gal tank..i live in srilanka as u know it is right above the equator..my problem is the lights if i try to bye mh in srilanka itsgoing to cost me around 1000usd so i am thinking use the sunlight but my knowledge about this field is very low...can u guys plez help me out..if i keep the tank outside what are the problems i am going to face..if i use a uv sterilizer will that keep the algae away???
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
bump
bump
I see sunlight powered reef aquaria as a growing future trend.
Please post or link more solar powered reef aquariums to this thread.
bump
I see sunlight powered reef aquaria as a growing future trend.
Please post or link more solar powered reef aquariums to this thread.
salty joe
Active member
I've used the sun on my tank for four months and am loving it. I only have live rock for now including a cabbage leather hitchhiker.
I need supplemental lighting for the winter before I stock with coral. What do you guys think of using several 50W 450nm LEDs with a lens to concentrate the beam to a 20" diameter and a single 50W 405-410nm LED with wider coverage as a fill light? I only intend to illuminate the areas with coral and want the spotlight effect.
I need supplemental lighting for the winter before I stock with coral. What do you guys think of using several 50W 450nm LEDs with a lens to concentrate the beam to a 20" diameter and a single 50W 405-410nm LED with wider coverage as a fill light? I only intend to illuminate the areas with coral and want the spotlight effect.
