I was actually saying people from the future will laugh at our present ignorance regarding natural lighting. Should be much more common years from now. Now available, aquasunlight sun tube, complete with UV transparent dome, 20,000 K color corrected diffuser, internally mounted iwaki sulfur microwave lamp with solar powered icecap magnetron. Optional solar tracking system available. Lifetime guarantee on bulb.
SolaTubes for reef tanks
- Thread starter 440cudaman
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It seems like most of you guys out there who start tank projects using solar for lighting get far enough along to look like the tank is about set up then drop off the face of the earth. I realize everyone gets busy from time to time (boy I sure do) but it seems like on the solar thing someone is about there or knows someone who is about there then you never hear from them again. And not just on this thread - I remember one recently where the guy got it set up with a skylight then had to move before it was running more than a month. What's going on with anyone out there actually trying this or knows someone who is? Does anyone have any concrete results, yeah or nay?
Thanks
Charles
Thanks
Charles
My project is still 2 years off, as I'm doing the design work for a 900 sq ft garage w/equal size great room over that, plus a 480 sq ft walk up attic.
I did install a 14" suntube in an upstairs bedroom so I can measure the results.
Now I just need someone with a par meter
Oh, and ssome nice weather in MA
I did install a 14" suntube in an upstairs bedroom so I can measure the results.
Now I just need someone with a par meter
Oh, and ssome nice weather in MA
Herpervet
New member
chask said:
I feel your pain. I had my 300 gallon at home set up for a month with plain tubular skylights and then the tank leaked. That was about a year ago. I just got the tank repaired.
My 600 gallon project at the office is progressing at a snails pace for various reasons.
Shoestring Reefer
New member
Are you a BRS member?Scuba_Dave said:
Yes, I am
mborn
New member
I set up a 300 gallon tank with 4X14 inch Solatubes. The tank is illuminated with Solatubes only and has been up for about 1.5 months. Here are some pictures I took last weekend. These are my "before" pictures and in 3 to 6 months I'll start posting some after pictures.
The light isn't as yellow as I expected. I thought it would be more like 6.5K Iwasaki's but it's more like 10K XM without actinics. The blues and purples show up well.
The light isn't as yellow as I expected. I thought it would be more like 6.5K Iwasaki's but it's more like 10K XM without actinics. The blues and purples show up well.
mborn
New member
The growth is pretty good for some of the corals so far considering the tank is very new and the corals are still adapting to the new conditions. the Seriatapora has started to grow at the tips of the branches. You can see the white growth at the tips. As the branches continue to grow the white becomes pigmented. The growth tip is always white at first.
The approximately 1/2 inch light colored tips on this Montipora is new growth under the solatubes.
and the plating Montipora have about 1/2 inches on the green and 1/4 inches on the orange.
The Monti's are fast growers so this growth isn't a big deal. Growth for the Acropora has been a little slower so far so I'll post some afters in some months for a better effect.
I'm going to drive home from work now so I'll respond to specific questions later.
The approximately 1/2 inch light colored tips on this Montipora is new growth under the solatubes.
and the plating Montipora have about 1/2 inches on the green and 1/4 inches on the orange.
The Monti's are fast growers so this growth isn't a big deal. Growth for the Acropora has been a little slower so far so I'll post some afters in some months for a better effect.
I'm going to drive home from work now so I'll respond to specific questions later.
RedEyeReef
Active member
mborn, That is awsome. You have to give us the dimensions of your tank and more info on your solar tubes.
JMBoehling
Premium Member
I am a new member and have a 10" Solatube on my 90 Gallon Reef. It's been up an running for 6 months, frags (primarily Monti's) are growing like mad.. I have just placed an order for some Acro's from www.pacificeastaquaculture.com and am excited to see how they do..
If you can work the tubes into your tank design I highly recommend them.. One note, I do recommend some suplemental light, especially Actinic, as the color of the light is very White....
It is amazing to see my coral polyps extend with the natural light. As soon as I figure out how to post images, I'll get some on this thread for you to see..
Also a quick note, I live in Richmond, VA, pretty far from the tropics and the sunlight seems to be plenty strong (even on overcast days...)
Later,
JMB
Once again,I HIGHLY recomend natural light on your reef...
If you can work the tubes into your tank design I highly recommend them.. One note, I do recommend some suplemental light, especially Actinic, as the color of the light is very White....
It is amazing to see my coral polyps extend with the natural light. As soon as I figure out how to post images, I'll get some on this thread for you to see..
Also a quick note, I live in Richmond, VA, pretty far from the tropics and the sunlight seems to be plenty strong (even on overcast days...)
Later,
JMB
Once again,I HIGHLY recomend natural light on your reef...
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