Rod the Roofer
New member
Hey staticx,
FYI my tubes are "Skydome" brand. IMO better than "Solatube".
Rod. :thumbsup:
FYI my tubes are "Skydome" brand. IMO better than "Solatube".
Rod. :thumbsup:
SolaTubes for reef tanks
- Thread starter 440cudaman
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jrandreassen
New member
Hi...
I find this thread perticularly intresting.
I've been thinking about putting in some Tubes over my tank and was wondering wether it would work.
The tank is 60"x36"x30" (36 deep), it situated perpendicular to the wall, and is under a vaulted cealing. The surface is about 60" from the ceiling.
Opinions would be appriciated.
JR
I was thinking about putting in a couple of 21" tubes that would have about 6' run. Then I'd supplement with attinics or perhaps later LED's when they become available in the proper configuration.
I find this thread perticularly intresting.
I've been thinking about putting in some Tubes over my tank and was wondering wether it would work.
The tank is 60"x36"x30" (36 deep), it situated perpendicular to the wall, and is under a vaulted cealing. The surface is about 60" from the ceiling.
Opinions would be appriciated.
JR
I was thinking about putting in a couple of 21" tubes that would have about 6' run. Then I'd supplement with attinics or perhaps later LED's when they become available in the proper configuration.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
It should work fine... 60" from the ceiling isnt that bad even. Then suppliment with blue+ T5s rather than actinics... they do a much better job.
jrandreassen
New member
Hi...
Ahhh yes...
That was what I was thinking, just came out wrong....
Any pros/cons to the different brands designs ??
Appriciate the input..
JR
Ahhh yes...
That was what I was thinking, just came out wrong....
Any pros/cons to the different brands designs ??
Appriciate the input..
JR
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Dont get me wrong... there are better ones and worse ones, but for the most part, every one is very similar, and the end result, even with a small 14" diameter tube, is a light output that rivals 400watt halides. Due to your 5' height, the larger diameter tubes might be more of a bonus, but considering you are in Austin Texas, I wouldnt worry too much. You will prolly have a light output of a 1000watter in summer with those things. I would think that maybe only 2 tubes would be enough, but perhaps 3 is a good idea just to spread out the light more.
jrandreassen
New member
Cool...
I don't think I can do more than 2x21" given the location and the clearance in the attic, besides the battle with the "better-half".
I tried a new approach with her though...
The "What do you think about addiding some skylights ?"
And
"How do we make it fit in with the look of the livin room?"
Maybe I'll have more success with that one
My main goal in this is to reduce the $200/month increase in the utility bill. I'm hoping that taking out the 2x250W MH's will do the trick.
Now, anyone want to by some nice new Gisemann pendants ??
JR
I don't think I can do more than 2x21" given the location and the clearance in the attic, besides the battle with the "better-half".
I tried a new approach with her though...
The "What do you think about addiding some skylights ?"
And
"How do we make it fit in with the look of the livin room?"
Maybe I'll have more success with that one
My main goal in this is to reduce the $200/month increase in the utility bill. I'm hoping that taking out the 2x250W MH's will do the trick.
Now, anyone want to by some nice new Gisemann pendants ??
JR
brent waldron
New member
jr, I am currently cutting holes to place 3 14" tubes above a 500 gallon ( 36" deep) tank. I am planning on modifying the dome in order to remove the uv filtered dome as well as leaving the bottom open after removing the other uv filter. Am planning on putting 320 watts blue
t 5s to supplement ( may need more later....we'll see)
brent
t 5s to supplement ( may need more later....we'll see)
brent
jrandreassen
New member
Cool...
Let me know how it turn out.
I was talking to the SunPipe guy today. He indicated I need a difuser. How do you guy's think that will affect the growth.
(I can't bring the pipes all the way down[Vaulted celing 60"clearance], and the light will wander too much to be effective).
Anyways, in Austin, TX we get plenty of Sun so I think 2x 21" should do the trick ??
JR
Let me know how it turn out.
I was talking to the SunPipe guy today. He indicated I need a difuser. How do you guy's think that will affect the growth.
(I can't bring the pipes all the way down[Vaulted celing 60"clearance], and the light will wander too much to be effective).
Anyways, in Austin, TX we get plenty of Sun so I think 2x 21" should do the trick ??
JR
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Does he really know what you are doing with it? I would not consider a diffuser to be a good idea FWIW... they 'defocus' the light, or scatter it... and what you really want is more of a spotlight. A lens would be a better idea, or none at all.
brent waldron
New member
jr, did I miss how far above the water your planning on putting these?? ( You mentioned you have 60" total clearance.....right)
jrandreassen
New member
The Tank is 36" deep, the ceiling is vaulted and is 60" above the surface.
My problem is that the wife won't let me mess with the symetry of the room and bring a box/hood down.
JR
My problem is that the wife won't let me mess with the symetry of the room and bring a box/hood down.
JR
jrandreassen
New member
I did tell him that it was for an aquarium.
He said that if I didn't put a difuser on the light would wander arround the room. The light would exit at the same angle as it entered.
I asked him about a foocusing lens, but they don't have it.
Do any of you know ??
JR
brent waldron
New member
salty joe, the tank is 36 " deep from top to bottom... JR,,, I don't have an answer for you.. but it seems like as hahnmeister mentioned you would need to somehow concentrate your beam ( not diffuse ) if the end of your tube is 60 in above the water surface. Maybe you have some different options with other tubes???? not much help sorry!!!!
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Just do it like wazbot did, even if your ceilings are a good 6' taller you should still get a similar result, esp with 22" cylinders.... you are in Austin, TX after all.... you might end up putting blue filters over parts of the tubes anyways...lol.
jrandreassen
New member
Ahhh yes...
I'll have to work the "architectural" angle with the better half.
We'll see how it goes.
Thanks for the input...
JR
I'll have to work the "architectural" angle with the better half.
We'll see how it goes.
Thanks for the input...
JR
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Hey, just say its very 'green'... that get my woman every time.
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