SolaTubes for reef tanks

[jrandreassen]

"Super-Green"...
I'm a bit of a tree-hugger myself, but it's more about efficiency.
I love a clever mechanical solution to a technical problem....

Maybe it will work.
JR

 

[Rod the Roofer]

Hey JR,

Check out my pics on page 31. I have vaulted ceilings and is 60'' above the water surface. I brought 3 x 10" tubes down to about 6" above the surface on my 4' x 20" x 18".

Rod. :thumbsup:

 

[jrandreassen]

Hi Rod...
I LIKE IT...

I might be able to work something like that...
The only problem is the living room is white walls,
Limestone and some not so nice orange painted wood.
(Might have to change that) Anyways, it might be doabe...
Thanks
JR

 

[Rod the Roofer]

Thanks JR,

You can get the HIP sheets in white too. Might help.

Rod. :thumbsup:

 

[hahnmeister]

Yeah, if you just painted the tubes the same color as the wall behind, I think they would blend right in... better than a canopy or fixture at least... thats for sure.

 

[jrandreassen]

Hmmm....
These things might be doable...
I'll have to find a way to work them in to the discussion.
I'll show her the pictures of your "Tube covers"...

The painting would work, but I'm a little painting averse.
JR

 

[Reefski's]

i will be building a skylight shaft over my new tank and lining it with one of these products.

http://anomet.com/cgi-bin/online/storepro.php

up to 97% reflective. some of the best reflectors are made from this.

Carl

 

[jrandreassen]

That looks intresting.
What are you doing for the collector on top ??
JR

 

[Reefski's]

for my skylight the city demands a skylight with all the right approvals for safety, etc. so i am using a 4x8 single glazed clear acrylic skylight. it will be an opening model so it may be open much of the time.

Carl

 

[jrandreassen]

I take it that your roof is oriented towards the afternoon sun??
Or are you empoying reflectors ??
Just wondering, not criticizing
JR

 

[Scuba_Dave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8763252#post8763252 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rod the Roofer
Hey JR,

Check out my pics on page 31. I have vaulted ceilings and is 60'' above the water surface. I brought 3 x 10" tubes down to about 6" above the surface on my 4' x 20" x 18".
Rod. :thumbsup:

I'm glad I checked back in on this thread
Rod, That's a great idea on the skylight. I have an 8' 325g tank & was considering putting in 3 solar tubes
But I didn't like the idea of (3) domes on the roof

I think the idea of 1-2 skylights that are used for the tubes a much better idea. I haven't even started building the addition that will house the tank

Really glad a "salesman" started this thread :lol:
Geez, what a comment

 

[jrandreassen]

Really glad a "salesman" started this thread :lol:
Geez, what a comment [/B]

Indeed....
Who care's as long as it works...
JR

 

[Barto]

Dave,
How did you escape from the lounge?
Did someone leave the secret door to the 5th floor unlocked :lol:

 

[JMBoehling]

Updated Pics

Updated Pics

Well, the sun is now at its lowest angle, and starting to head back up. Still get some natural light of which is very evident by my hammers, frogspawn and anemone. When the sun comes up, they really extend for the UV..

Here are some pics. I still believe in the Solartube/T5 combo..

Later,

Jim

 

[ReefBuddha]

Reefkeepers are responsible for so much wasted energy.

in an industry that is far from sustainable and eats up much more energy and resources than it produces, its nice to see someone trying to reduce their impact. kudos!

 

[tariqchaudhry]

Jim,
Your tank looks awesome. I am glad you are having great results with the Solatube.
We are getting ready to build our home in Florida and I will be using Solatubes for my 300G tank. I am all for conservation and will do everything possible to minimize the impact on the natural resources.
Any suggestions for the size of Solatube for a tank size 72x24Hx30D? How high up from the tank surface and the use of UV shields etc.
I would appreciate your input.

 

[JMBoehling]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9032062#post9032062 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tariqchaudhry
Jim,
Your tank looks awesome. I am glad you are having great results with the Solatube.
We are getting ready to build our home in Florida and I will be using Solatubes for my 300G tank. I am all for conservation and will do everything possible to minimize the impact on the natural resources.
Any suggestions for the size of Solatube for a tank size 72x24Hx30D? How high up from the tank surface and the use of UV shields etc.
I would appreciate your input.

Thanks! I've got (02) 10" Gordan Tubular Skylights (Home Depot Special) on my 90, with (04) 54 Watt T5's as supplimental light, and to get that 14 K look I really like...

About 3 months ago, I removed the "Dome" that came with my tubes and replaced it with Non-UV inhibiting Plexiglass... I believe my SPS and softies have benefited from removing the dome. I am not certain you really will need any UV inhibitors for your setup as well... Just my opinion

Assuming you can work with the larger tubes with your trusses etc, I would look at using the 18" tubes and probably no less than 3 spaced evenly at 18"-36"- 54"

My tubes come within 1 foot of my water surface and spread approximately 2 feet when the sun is really shining, so I get great coverage with the (02) 10" tubes on my 90...

Look forward to seeign some pics of your seup in the coming months.

Later,

Jim

 

[Scuba_Dave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9029404#post9029404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefBuddha
Reefkeepers are responsible for so much wasted energy.

You should see Christmas display then if you think a tank is a waste of energy

 

[jrandreassen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9032062#post9032062 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tariqchaudhry
Jim,
We are getting ready to build our home in Florida and I will be using Solatubes for my 300G tank. I am all for conservation and will do everything possible to minimize the impact on the natural resources.
Any suggestions for the size of Solatube for a tank size 72x24Hx30D? How high up from the tank surface and the use of UV shields etc.
I would appreciate your input.

I've got a 60x36hx30W and will be using 2x21" down to about 2' from the surface (That's poking down about 3' down from a vaulted ceiling).
"Rod the Roofer" in Australia has a config like that(a few pages back) and it looks nice.
Depending on your tank config, I'd either use 3x21" or the 18" depending what works with your attic/tank config.
JR

 

[wvt9527]

Ok I have read a little bit of this thread. Everything I have read so far sounds like this is the way to go. The things I am wondering about is do the solartubes cause more algae growth, has anyone notice an increase in water temperature. The final thing is the cost of all of it.
Walter