SolaTubes for reef tanks

[JMBoehling]

Over ther water surface... I messed up my install originally and brought (01) 10" tube right down the middle, forgetting about the center spline on my 90 AGA.. What a bummer that was... I havew since offset it a bit...

Mine comes down to approx 5 inches of the water surface without the light diffuser..

Good luck with your project... Remember the critical part of this is positioning your Tubes on the roof of your home where it will get the most sunlight from sunrise to sunset, so plannning is very critical to the success of these things...

 

[mborn]

Remember the critical part of this is positioning your Tubes on the roof of your home where it will get the most sunlight from sunrise to sunset, so plannning is very critical to the success of these things...

I couldn't agree more.

 

[Nathan]

mborn,

If you put your hand under the light, can you feel heat, or is this cool lighting? My 400W MH kick out a TON of heat.

-Nathan

 

[mborn]

I feel a slight warmth. Not hot at all like a MH. My chiller comes on very little compared to when I had MH.

 

[Nathan]

...interesting...

 

[Chihuahua6]

The roofline faces South!!!! I thiught it was East until I checked my blueprints. This is going to be awesome. I think I'm more excited about the new tank than the new house lol!

Amanda

 

[JMBoehling]

Make sure you have plenty of room for a comfortable chair in front of that tank You know for rocking those babies to sleep!

Can't wait to see your progress pic's...

 

[Aquaman]

Good lord this post is still active? Im getting old.

 

[Nathan]

Any new pics?

 

[JMBoehling]

Here is an updated picture.. Have recently experienced some RTN'n on my new Acro frags due to a faulty heater setting.. (I've been cooking my tank at 85 degrees..) Since adjusting everyone appears to be happy, just hope I've stopped the bleeding (RTN'n)

I also plan to take new pics since I just added another 10" Solatube on my tank, so now it's two over my 90..

 

[Nathan]

RTN is a Killer! Make sure to frag any surviving branches and glue them on some rubble rock AWAY from any occuring RTN. I lost a huge acro once and I never fragged it and it all died.

-Nathan

 

[JMBoehling]

Updated Shots 5/26/05

Twin Tubes.. (Just installed the second one to get better coverage on my 90)

This Photo is all telling.. No Flash here!

Full Tank Shot

 

[corro]

Thanks for the updated pics!

does anyone have PAR readings for a solatube tank?

 

[Ehydo]

Thanks for the updated pics!

does anyone have PAR readings for a solatube tank?

Are you talking about Photosynthetically Active Radiation or PAR Watts? The Photosynthetically Active Radiation would be in the same range as natural sunlight. PAR Watts do not apply because it is not electrically powered.

 

[Nathan]

Your setup really kicks butt! Think how much electricity you will SAVE (on lights and air conditioning)! Your wife must LOVE you for it, despite the funky holes in your roof!

Your set up ROCKS!

-Nathan

 

[JMBoehling]

Nathan,

Appreciate it.. Just hope everyhting turns out as planned... Initial growth indicates all should work out just fine...

It ius amazing how COOL this light is from the tubes. I think normal AC setting will keep my tank in check temp wise throughout the summer..

I'll keep you updated from time to time..


As far as the holes, nothing a weekend of patching wouldn't take care of... She doesn't mind the holes and actually digs my setup now that all the water changes stay in the mud room... No more salt water on hard wood floors or carpets...

Appreciate your feedback!

 

[Phoneguy982]

I live in Fla and was thinking of putting in 3 solatubes as opposed to buyng 3 250 MH setups. My problem would be the length of the tubes. Anyone that has them....How long are the tubes? I have a cathedral type cieling so I would say 5' to the ceiling then I still need to go to the south side of my house. Maybe 15' total length without actually measuring. Will this work?

 

[corro]

re you talking about Photosynthetically Active Radiation or PAR Watts? The Photosynthetically Active Radiation would be in the same range as natural sunlight. PAR Watts do not apply because it is not electrically powered.

I am wondering about Photosynthetically Active Radiation .. which I would think would be different from just walking outside and taking a reading. I am wondering if there is a loss due to the size of the tubes, the distance the light is traveling down the tube, and the covering on the tube. I also think it would be interesting to see how readings compare to MH bulbs, in the tank itself.

 

[JMBoehling]

I live in Fla and was thinking of putting in 3 solatubes as opposed to buyng 3 250 MH setups. My problem would be the length of the tubes. Anyone that has them....How long are the tubes? I have a cathedral type cieling so I would say 5' to the ceiling then I still need to go to the south side of my house. Maybe 15' total length without actually measuring. Will this work?

Mine are the 10" round tubes and my overall length is 10 ft on the tube... I thing the major issue is not the length as much as how many turns you take... If you have the space, go for the 14" tubes, I'm sure they would look incredible... Even at 15' assuming a straight shot, 14" tubes would be worth every penny spent...

 

[Phoneguy982]

Now I have to figure out the cost. I have a couple of grand and if it drops my electric bill $20-$30 a month and saves me from buying bulbs every year, my wife will be more than happy to part with the $ now for the long run. Do you get the shimmering effect? I would end up with 2 45* bends max per tube and might reach 15'. Will 3 14" be good for a 150? Thanks for your help.