Solar supplemental lighting

[Slawdude]

I am looking for anyone with experience in using the sun as their primary light source over an SPS/LPS reef tank to share their experience in any supplementary lighting they have used.

I intend to use a couple of solartubes over a new 5 footer being built and want supplementary light to enable viewing after dark, when the family is home and boost the 430nm to 460nm to bring out a bit more color.

I am not too keen to fork out for a couple of top-end units (Radion, Vertex etc) but will if I end up thinking this is my only option.

Many thanks:thumbsup:

 

[asid61]

I think a DIY led fixture will be your best bet, as those solar tubes are $$$.
I remember some guy that did solar tubes though... gimme a sec...
EDIT: Found it! That was fast.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1457056

 

[C Dog]

I have seen a few builds online using the solar tubes. Tanks look amazing with them. I a setting up a 400+ gallon tank with (2) 21" sun dome tubes as primary lighting. Where do you live?

 

[Slawdude]

Thanks for your advice gents, I am in Sydney, Australia. Shame to let all those rays go to waste.....

 

[Slawdude]

I am thinking a couple of bsled lights in the front firing at the back bottom corner would give good supplemental and viewing perhaps.
I am going to try and get hold of a few units for trial to check what it looks like!