SolaTubes for reef tanks

[AuroraDave]

Is it a magnet (frag-mags) and if so, do they use metal (which seems bad in salt tanks) ?

Or maybe it's suction cup?
I cant tell from the pics. Great idea for sure.

 

[BenjieC]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8426498#post8426498 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JMBoehling
I am using these

frag-mags

Later,

Jim

I just ordered some. Like most thing in this hobby they are a little pricey, but they look very cool! There's a thread over in the DIY forum that was started about DIY ones, that I'm following. Hopefully they'll be cheap and easy to DIY.

 

[BenjieC]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8426840#post8426840 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AuroraDave
Is it a magnet (frag-mags) and if so, do they use metal (which seems bad in salt tanks) ?

Or maybe it's suction cup?
I cant tell from the pics. Great idea for sure.

As far as I can tell it's a magnet encased in some sort of plastic.

 

[JMBoehling]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8426840#post8426840 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AuroraDave
Is it a magnet (frag-mags) and if so, do they use metal (which seems bad in salt tanks) ?

Or maybe it's suction cup?
I cant tell from the pics. Great idea for sure.

The outer shell is about 1/8" Plastic. Within the outer shell the magnets are fully encased in what appears to be silicone or some sort of epoxy... Both side have magnets in them and they are very strong.

 

[Rod the Roofer]

Hey Jim

Great idea,

I think as your SPS grow they will eventually cover the frag mags and continue onto the wall of your aquarium.

I guess by then you'll have them in thier ideal position.

Rod. :thumbsup:

 

[JMBoehling]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8429258#post8429258 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rod the Roofer
Hey Jim

Great idea,

I think as your SPS grow they will eventually cover the frag mags and continue onto the wall of your aquarium.

I guess by then you'll have them in thier ideal position.

Rod. :thumbsup:

That's my dream.. An entire live reef in my 90 on all 3 sides with open space and no live rock in the middle for my fish to swim.... I think it will look pretty awesome in 6 months or so...

Appreciate it Rod! Your reef is looking awesome!

 

[Rod the Roofer]

Agreed!!

I believe your tank will look fantastic!!

It is a very different strategy to the normal rock scape.

Rod. :thumbsup:

 

[kureinha]

I came across a few active daylighting options which may give you even more light per opening. They are essentially a sky light with a mirror tracking system. It seems there are a couple of different options. I think all of them used a tracking system that runs off a photovoltaic so no electricity is necessary. Not sure if it would work well in cloudy conditions.

option 1
http://www.soluminaire.com/product.html or
http://natures-lighting.com/products.php?pid=2100

option 2
http://www.daylighting.com/active_daylighting.htm

option 3
http://www.sunflowercorp.biz/P061Final.pdf

Might be something to consider... I apologize if this was mentioned earlier.

 

[hahnmeister]

OMG, with 49,000-111,000 lux depending on the time of day... even a cloudy day would produce more light than a 400watt halide!! 4' tall tank, here I come!!!

I wonder what a 3'x3' unit (or there about) would cost...

 

[WDLV]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8506115#post8506115 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
OMG, with 49,000-111,000 lux depending on the time of day... even a cloudy day would produce more light than a 400watt halide!! 4' tall tank, here I come!!!

I wonder what a 3'x3' unit (or there about) would cost...

No doubt. Those are pretty cool. I wanted to do a >5' deep tank for my next system. What would one pay for such a tasty nugget of technology?

 

[Rod the Roofer]

Here's a couple of updated tank pics, with my new camera;

Left :

Center :

Right :

Full tank :

Rod. :thumbsup:

 

[dougie]

Stunning.

 

[WDLV]

Looks great Rod.

 

[Airman]

Your tank is solid! How are your solatubes working?

 

[Lordhelmet]

I love your tank.

I also was wondering how much one of those solor trackers would run.

 

[Rod the Roofer]

Thanks everyone for your encouraging comments.

My corals have responded to the natural light and after a bit of acclimating have started coloring up and growing as I've never seen them grow!

Some of them bleached a little until they re-acclimated, but seem ok now. The Catalaphyllia spat it but is doing well now.

The light is intense from about 11am to 3pm. Not long enough photo period IMO to reduce the Mh's yet, probably will during summer.

How have tanks with natural light gone over summer in your hemisphere?? As my skylight has only been operational for a short period, and not a summer I would be interested.

Rod. :thumbsup:

 

[JMBoehling]

Question for all you using skylights:

Would there be an advantage and or disadvantage to removing the factory made dome that has a UV inhibitor and replacing it with a piece of clear acrylic sheet? I understand the dome "Captures the Sun Rays" that would normally wouldn't be channeled down the tube of the skylight if simply flat...

Any thoughts?

I am considering doing a little science project on my reef. I have (02) tubes on mine, so I am thinking about removing the dome on one an measuring growth and color of similiar species over a 6 month time frame to see if the dome promotes growth or restricts it. What material should I use on my skylight that will not inhibit the UV rays of the sun and will still maintain the structural integrity of the dome against snow, heavy wind and hail?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Rod the Roofer]

Hi Jim,

From what I have read and understand; with the dome you will get more light channelled down your tubes earlier and later in the day. With a flat top (as I have) you will get less light early and late, but more intense light (than a dome) during the middle of the day.

I am getting very intense light between 11am and 3pm at the moment.

I have used laminated glass, primarily because I live in a high bush fire area and the plastic domes would melt in a fire. I have been told that glass inhibits the damaging UV, whilst allowing the beneficial UV rays to pass.

Something that I have been watching with interest in the news here lately is that they are saying the coral on the Great Barrier Reef are bleaching and dying from the suns harmful rays. (due to climate change) They are talking about putting shade cloth over the reef!!

Have you been able to switch off your artificial lights at any time during the day through summer?

Rod. :thumbsup:

 

[hahnmeister]

you know, I dont think one of those light trackers would be worth it... a normal skylight should have a long enough, and intense enough output for any reef.

 

[Lordhelmet]

i think for a deep tank grater then 5 feet those tracker would be worth it if they really have an output equal to 1000watts of MH. if not i bet the cost is not worth it and solatubes would be the answer.