SolaTubes for reef tanks

[Ehydo]

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.

I thought that that was checked about a year ago in this thread but I am not positive.

 

[corro]

oh .. thanks. I'll scan back . BIG thread. LOL

 

[JMBoehling]

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.

Tubes will run your approx $ 300 each give or take 20 bucks plus installation unless your doing it... I did mine and their not that difficult assuming you've got Asphalt Shingles and not Tile or Slate...

I think (03) 14" Tubes would look great, just watch the placement of the tubes in relationship to any support bracing on your tank...

As far a shimmering, it shimmers like crazy... Looks like your diving a reef..

Good Luck...

You may want to look through this post as there other people on this thread that have similiar tanks using Solatubes (Or any other brand of tubular skylight)... FYI.. I used the Sun'tek version from Home Depot (Now Gordan..)

 

[mborn]

Hey JMBoehling, your setup's looking great!

 

[JMBoehling]

MBorn,

Thanks... What's your take on Tubular Skylights... Are you still having great success on your 300 with (04) 14" Tubes?

 

[mborn]

What's your take on Tubular Skylights... Are you still having great success on your 300 with (04) 14" Tubes?

I like them very much. So far I have no regrets using them as the sole lighting source for my tank. After watching the tank over the course of the day for a couple of weekends to see how the light changes as the sun moves across the sky it was pretty easy to place corals according to their lighting requirements.

The corals have adapted well to the setup. The monti's are continuing to grow well and the acro growth rates have picked up quite a bit. The tank is still pretty new but as it's getting more established it's getting better and better.

Now that we're getting some summer like weather here in SD the tank is getting more direct sunlight and a longer photo period so I'm keeping a close eye on the corals to make sure nothing gets burned. So far everything is going great.

 

[JMBoehling]

Mborn,

Very similiar experience I am having with my setup... My tank is relatively new, about 8 months old ( SPS for 3 months) and I finally am getting everything fine tuned. (Water Temp, Macro Cultures in Refugium, Added another skylight, Increasing Water Movement, etc...). I feel very optimistic that in 6 months my corals will be experiencing some incredible growth as well as coloring up a bit. Please keep me updated with your experience as I will with mine.

 

[mborn]

Will do.

 

[chindapol]

thanks for lots of sweet pic, I think it's heen years that we follow this thread!

 

[frugalreefer]

Any update Pictures?

Any update Pictures?

I've been keeping up with this thread for awhile now and have been planning on buying two tubes for my 120gal. Estimated cost of $1100 installed.

mborn: can you post updated pics or growth rates for us of your 300gal?

Or anyone else using "tubular skylights"

Thanks

 

[JMBoehling]

frugalreefer (and all ),

Here are a few recent shots of my tank.. (You can view them in my Gallery as well..)

Everything continues to grow very well and I am still very happy with installing the Tubular Skylights. During Peak Sunlight approx 11 am to 3 pm, my tank looks incredible.. (Not trying to be arrogant, just descriptive as possible..)

I have experienced a set back or two not related to lighting that have created some slowing of my coral growth:

1.) Faulty heater setting and almost cooked everything approx 2 months ago

2.) My Alk was down to 6.5 Dkh, and PH at 7.6.. Dripping Kalk now so this is fixed

Other than that here is the best progression shot I have of a Brown Dig Monti

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I've got some Acro's showing some nice polyp extension and growth now that my PH and Alk are corrected.. Hope to post some pics of them soon..

Later,

Jim[

 

[Chihuahua6]

Jim what brand tubes are you using? What size? Any diffusers or intensifiers? What other lights are on the tank? How long have you been using the tubes? How is the light output during the cooler season? What is that wood thing on top of your tank on an angle? It looks like it's meant to hold the actinics but why is it angled?
I am planning a 400 gal with tube lights. I am hoping to use no supplemental lighting except for maybe some actinics depending on the color.

 

[JMBoehling]

Brand = Suntek (Home Depot)
Size = 2-10" tubes
No Diffusers
I have (02) Coralife twin 65w PC's.. Currently run 03 Actinic and Bright Blue in them
Using the tubes for 9 Months
Light output in cool season appears to be equal or a little less.. It is interesting, the lower winter sun angle actually appears to put more light in my tunnel

The wood thing is a brace i had to make to fit the 10" Solar Tubes and by Coralife PC's.. 18" just isn't enough space, so I had to get creative

On a 400, I would plan on 4 - 16" tubes as a minimum..

Keep me updated..

Jim

 

[ediaz]

I saw this at Home Depot and though about it, well I have proof now, do you guys think it could be installed on the side of the house, through a wall, not in the roof?

Ed

 

[Herpervet]

I finally got my 300 cycled up and running after numerous hold-ups including a leaking seam so this is at least 18 months late and probably longer.

I need more rock. The large ugly cave will be hidden by rocks later. ("crushed oyster shell-crete")

Two Natural light brand 21 inch tubular skylights. This was about as close together as they could be.

They are very bright during 11am to 3pm. The picture doesn't do it justice at all.

 

[Herpervet]

No filter

Blue filter (roscolux 60) This transmits around 60% of the light.

Photo color didn't turn out right and with this filter the light is more of a cool, crisp white.

 

[Shoestring Reefer]

Two Natural light brand 21 inch tubular skylights. This was about as close together as they could be.

Why couldn't they be closer?

 

[Chihuahua6]

Herpervet where do you live and what time of day were the photos taken? Where did you purchase the tubes? Are you going to add any supplemental lighting?
Thanks for sharing. I can't wait to get mine going. The house should be done toward the end of September. The tubes need to be ordered but I don't know which brand to go with, SunTunnel or SolaTube. One goes with the slope of the roof and one mounts straight up with a dome. The roof slopes to the South so I don't know if it's relevant which I choose. I remember the SunTube website mentioned they had some sort of intensifier to make it brighter but I can't find it on the website any longer.

 

[delnino]

Earlier in this post I plugged Natural Light tubes. I have installed 6 of them myself and am really impressed with the kit. Nothing like the HD ones and not much more $. None are over tanks but one is over a lizard cage. I see that people are often not using any diffusers. I think dust in the tubes is a huge concern and some sort of cover should be used. The silver oxide coating is extremely reflective and needs to be kept this way for maximum efficiency. Alternative Energy Store is where I got mine from, can't remember the exact URL. Am planning a tall, slender seagrass bed refugium, lit with a 13" or perhaps 18" tube.

 

[grimmjohn]

Courtesy of Dr. Mac

cheers,

grimmjohn