SolaTubes for reef tanks

[hllywd]

I think the problem is trying to use a "funnel" for the light, the result is you end up with some, and I don't know how much, light reflecting back out of the tube/tunnel. I also would assume if you didn't have your angles right at some seasonal point you could even cut off the direct reflections. I would say no the SolaTubes don't have the same problem because their reflector walls are parallel and each reflection travels in the correct direction.

Here are some pics from about 20 minutes ago.

The unit is supposed to be air tight... as you can see by the bugs, mine isn't. Please disregard the bugs!!! This was taken on a sunny day (1/19/06) at approx. 2:00pm in Findlay, Ohio. It is actually installed on the north side of the roof (6/12 pitch) and still collects a good amount of sunlight since the roof dome has the internal reflector. The actual incoming light is bright enough to cause the camera to black everything else out.

The ficus tree is normally outside during the spring and summer and under the solatube in the winter. When it come in in the fall it does drop some leaves. This was taken the same time as the previous pic.

 

[hllywd]

Boy my camera sucks huh????

 

[barryhc]

Firstly, I am not bashing Sola Tubes. they are a great idea, and I may use some of them one day.

There certainly doesn't need to be any "VS" here.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6538425#post6538425 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hllywd
I think the problem is trying to use a "funnel" for the light, the result is you end up with some, and I don't know how much, light reflecting back out of the tube/tunnel.

Less than 1/3 in the winter. I'll do the Summer version soon, the fall and spring conditions will result in the largest light "delivery".

I also would assume if you didn't have your angles right at some seasonal point you could even cut off the direct reflections. I would say no the SolaTubes don't have the same problem because their reflector walls are parallel and each reflection travels in the correct direction.

Personally, I would get my angles right. The Sola Tube does not gather as much light at midday, because of it's "bubble" collector.

It gathers more light PER SQ.FT. during early morning and nearer dusk, than the skylight, for the same reason.

I assure you that the light collected would be so bright, that you would need to sheild the animals from the midday sun.

This would be most effective for larger tanks, and those that are being considered before building the house, in many cases.

Then again . . . . .

> Barry

 

[BeanAnimal]

I guess I am seeing the skylight design by "barry" and the solotube as the same basic concept. barry is just customizing the idea to make it more conducive to our reef needs. This is different than a simple "slylight" in a vaulted room or skylight with a sheetrock shaft into a flat cieling room.

Bean

 

[hllywd]

Not sure of the term "VS"...

I totally agree on the adaptation theme. I have a little knowledge of optics but frankly it's mostly from grinding and figuring a couple telescope mirrors and building the scopes. That's why I question the loss each time the light's direction changes. Mirrored plexiglass or aluminum, while the look very reflective, are only ~80 - 90% reflective and I'd assume it varies by spectrum.

Tim

 

[barryhc]

And how reflective is the interior of the Sola Tube?

What is the initial angle of incidence of the light rays, to the tube wall, after the light has gone thru the "bubble collector" ?

> Barry

 

[hllywd]

"How can Solatube's products bring so much daylight into the room?
The reason for this astonishing claim, is the ultra-high "specular" reflectance of our tubing materials! With the advancement of Spectralight Infinity, less that 1% of the daylight is lost with each "bounce" of daylight down the tube!
This increase in reflectivity (and, therefore, the skylight's efficiency of light transmission) becomes increasingly important for the winter months, early morning or late afternoon hours, and overcast days when a significant amount of the useable daylight is coming from low angles of the sky.

At these times, the reflected daylight may make hundreds of bounces down the skylight's tubing, which would result in minimal usable light output for skylights using the older tubing materials (where 8% or more of the light is "lost" with each bounce). However, with Spectralight Infinity, the advantages are clear, over 500% more light output for these normally problematic daylight hours, resulting in radiant, useful daylight in your home or office!"

I found this when I did a search for Spectralight Infinity. It is SolaTube's proprietary tube material. The original ones used an Alcoa product with similar properties. Mine are the older type. I think one of the things that make the ST work so well is the reflectors inside the dome that send more light into the tube at a more advantageous angle.

 

[hllywd]

Evidently these are new.

http://www.solatube.com/res_solamaster.php

My guess is these are not cheap, but if you had 2 of them over a 4" tank I think you solve most of the problems of directing light into the tank. I'll bet you could begin to rely on them for most of your light.... Anybody want to buy a couple "new in the box" 10" tubes to help finance BIG ones?

 

[barryhc]

You're up to 5.75 sq. ft. now with the pair of "21 inchers". Quite an improvement.

> Barry

 

[greg65]

Those 21"ers are huge and could pose more of an issue w/ install due to rafters usually @ 16" OC.

I placed a couple of the 14"ers over my new 340g.They fit nicely between rafters. Even in the winter months they do a credible job of bringing in natural light. Not super bright, but a nice supplement. Relatively easy install as well.

We'll see how the natural light affects the sps over time.
-Greg-

 

[hllywd]

Greg,
I agree on the extra framing for installation of the 21" tubes, if you know what you're doing it would be fairly easy to header the rafters off to enable the larger opening without affecting the structure.

 

[Herpervet]

skylights

skylights

Poor quality photo but at least you can see the sunlight entering the tank.

 

[Hef]

Very nice, is that sunlight only? How are you doing it.

 

[JMBoehling]

Re: skylights

Re: skylights

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6717432#post6717432 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Herpervet

Poor quality photo but at least you can see the sunlight entering the tank.

Very nice and natural..

Thanks for the update

 

[Herpervet]

Sunlight with actinics in this photo. I have two 48 X 48 inch skylights over the tank. The light-well is lined in mylar and ends at about 40 inches above the tank surface for head room (I have a catwalk around the tank to service it so any lower and I would hit my head.

Then there is a mylar curtain around the tank.

I have Six 150 watt par lamps hanging over the tank for supplemental light during the evening hours but they are off in this photo.

 

[tinyreef]

herp,
gorgeous setup!

do you get a significant "tracking-effect" from that setup? i.e. different shadows and light angles throughout the day.

do you have a shot of the setup behind the scenes? especially the skylight linings you noted.

 

[Herpervet]

tiny,

Yes the angle of the sun constantly changes so every few minutes you notice a different look.

I'll take some pics of the filter room for you this week If I can remember to bring my camera to the office.

 

[dgasmd]

Re: skylights

Re: skylights

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6717432#post6717432 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Herpervet

Poor quality photo but at least you can see the sunlight entering the tank.

This is a picture I ahve been looking forward to seing for a long time now!! Looks pretty good. Would love to see the filter room too and also a picture witht he actinics on.

When you refer to actinics, are you saying 150 watt 20K MH bulbs?

 

[Herpervet]

Nice to see your still watching the progress Alberto.

At this point I have six 20K 150 watt Par lamps (flood type) but I recently added four T5 actinics placed just above the tank front viewing panel to give better fluorescence of the coral pigments.

I guess I have to clean the filter room for photo's

 

[Chihuahua6]

Question to Herpervet and Jim. How long are your tubes and how much do they bend if at all before they reach your tank? I have three about 12' from roof to tank, all have an elbow. I don't have the tank yet so I don't know how bright it will be.