SolaTubes for reef tanks
- Thread starter 440cudaman
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gatohoser
New member
Ya that sounds like another really strong reason not to remove the polycarbonate then.
Barryhc, don't forget that the tropical sun is much stronger than our northern hemisphere sun anyways though. I don't remember how it works but when you think about water absorbing light its halfs for every certain fraction of the total distance it can travel. So maybe after like 3" its 1/4 of what it is at the surface. And corals can take that directly.
We do agree though. You probably shouldn't take that lens off. I just don't think that the problem is that you would get UV over-radiation.
Barryhc, don't forget that the tropical sun is much stronger than our northern hemisphere sun anyways though. I don't remember how it works but when you think about water absorbing light its halfs for every certain fraction of the total distance it can travel. So maybe after like 3" its 1/4 of what it is at the surface. And corals can take that directly.
We do agree though. You probably shouldn't take that lens off. I just don't think that the problem is that you would get UV over-radiation.
JMBoehling
Premium Member
90 gallons
(02) 10" tubes approximately 10 feet long.
That depends on the "collection factor" for one thing, and you have to decide if you believe that 2 times the amount of "natural" sunlight can be pumped into the tank with "skylight collectors". I am stating that it can. Sola Tubes can only get about 50% the value "natural sunlight into the tank. If you don't believe this, then that is a point of contention, but elsewise "think about it".
Secondly, water depth "degrades" light penetration through several mechanisms, you are right about that, but it is not degraded by 75% in three inches, 25% in 6 to 12" of depth would be a lot closer.
We will get less light in upper latitudes, because of "photoperiod", and because of "inclination angle". Aside from some reduction that occurs in regard to inclination angle, as a function of how much light "skips off" the atmosphere, the proper collection of light in higher latitudes can be rather effecient. Photoperiod reductions are about 33% VS "summer" in the midnorthern latitudes. Inclination angle losses can be even more severe, IF methods are not utilized to mitigate these losses.
So, probably not much concern with too much UV radiation with Sola tubes only, but watch out for running MH, or Skylight collectors without UV lenses.
Happy Reef Keeping! > barryhc
JMBoehling
Premium Member
Rome was not built in a day, and neither is my Reef. Pictures and "PROOF" will soon follow. Like a fine wine, "Patience" my friend
Jim
Jim
Lordhelmet
Active member
JMBoehling i am patiently waiting the day.
Your tank has insired me to completely rethink the way we do lighting. When the time is right i will be useing all the free lighting in the world as well.
Your tank has insired me to completely rethink the way we do lighting. When the time is right i will be useing all the free lighting in the world as well.
hllywd
Premier World Traveler
For 4x4 holes you'll probably need to consider commercial skylight units of some type, then for a 4x4 hole you need to do some structural framing, insulating and finishing in the roof and ceiling. The round skylights discussed here be they Sola Tube brand, Velux, or some other brand don't need the framing and trial and error engineering if you are diy-ing the entire project.. Sure I think a 16 sq ft hole in the roof will probably let in more light but how much of it can I keep in my 90G tank and still be confident of the integrity of my roof. I think the beauty or these round skylights is the non invasive nature of the installation (the one I have installed now took me ~2 hrs with little mess). Not that you can't diy a 4x4 hole but I think that's a whole construction lesson in itself, not a diy thing unless your wife is cool with wet carpet...
Lots of people put in skylights after the house is originally built, and most of them don't leak. Don't trust uncle Marvin, if he's missing three fingers from mowing the lawn.
Sola tubes are fine, but they don't bring in enough light to avoid supplementation.
Either one requires you to run a "natural" photoperiod, which is the biggest drawback for me.
Happy Reef Keeping ! > barryhc
Sola tubes are fine, but they don't bring in enough light to avoid supplementation.
Either one requires you to run a "natural" photoperiod, which is the biggest drawback for me.
Happy Reef Keeping ! > barryhc
salty joe
Active member
Barry's idea of bending a piece of reflective plastic got me to thinking. Maybe using a piece of flat reflective material set at an angle would direct the sunlight more directly into the aquarium. I know very little about the properties of light, but would placing the reflective panel at 22 1/2 degrees from plumb cause the reflected light to go straight down if the light is coming in at a 45Ã"šÃ‚° angle?
Joe
Joe
hllywd
Premier World Traveler
Barry, I have no illusions many people retrofit skylights successfully, however when somebody asks "what substance would I use to cover a 4x4 hole in my roof", it's irresponsible not to point out the fact you CANNOT cut a hole and seal a piece of plexiglass on and not expect to severely damage to your $200,000 investment. I've fixed abortions like that where people knew better than the construction industry standards and decided to reinvent the wheel on their own. I also would contest your your claim "most don't leak". There are many cheap and inferior products on the market yet today that are real bastards to seal properly, I've seen 14"x 48" "bubble" skylights with 2" flanges that leave proper flashing to the installer. Ultimately most DIYers resort to roofing sealant in an attempt to seal these units which usually makes things worse. I still believe it is unrealistic for an average DIYer to install a "couple" or even one 4x4 skylight and end up with a SAFE and SECURE structure.
FYI - WHen I speak of DIYers I don't mean it in a bad way, I supervised volunteer construction labor for over 4 years building homes locally for a large national organiation. As an estimate 75 - 80% of the volunteer people claiming competency required immediate supervision to run shingles in a straight line, frame a wall, hang drywall, etc...
I already have a SolaTube of my own installed in our dining room. It provides a lot of light to the area. Do I think I'll be able to get rid of my lights with the two others I have over a 6' tank? NO! If I can offer my organisms some natural sunlight without rebuilding a section of my roof I will. Would I consider an option that has been engineered and tested to get 16 sq ft of light into the same 6' tank? SURE! Maybe I'd build on a sunroom and not worry about it...
I think the whole idea here was a non invasive way to catch some free natural sunlight, not to completely redesign the house.
Good luck.
FYI - WHen I speak of DIYers I don't mean it in a bad way, I supervised volunteer construction labor for over 4 years building homes locally for a large national organiation. As an estimate 75 - 80% of the volunteer people claiming competency required immediate supervision to run shingles in a straight line, frame a wall, hang drywall, etc...
I already have a SolaTube of my own installed in our dining room. It provides a lot of light to the area. Do I think I'll be able to get rid of my lights with the two others I have over a 6' tank? NO! If I can offer my organisms some natural sunlight without rebuilding a section of my roof I will. Would I consider an option that has been engineered and tested to get 16 sq ft of light into the same 6' tank? SURE! Maybe I'd build on a sunroom and not worry about it...
I think the whole idea here was a non invasive way to catch some free natural sunlight, not to completely redesign the house.
Good luck.
hllywd, I would only use a high quality skylight, and I would not expect the installation of the skylight, or the "reflectors-hood" is to be considered any sort of "typical- DIY" installation.
I have never mentioned DIY.
If skylights cannot be installed correctly, whether during new construction, of retrofit, then explain it to the mfg.
>Barry
I have never mentioned DIY.
If skylights cannot be installed correctly, whether during new construction, of retrofit, then explain it to the mfg.
>Barry
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
hehe "bubble" skylights. I thought those went out with fondue and bell bottoms.
Bean
Bean
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