SolaTubes for reef tanks
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Sure, the 'pipe' sticks into the reflector so much that the top part of it really doesn't get used then... the only part that is actually 'working' is the bottom, which looks mostly flat.
VegasReefer
Premium Member
Thanks for putting that graphic up hahnmeister. That is what I was trying to explain. Unfortunatly I got pulled out of town for a couple weeks, and wasn't able to reply.
VegasReefer
Premium Member
DOuble Post and Delete didn't work
JMBoehling
Premium Member
Updated Pics
Updated Pics
Here's an updated video of my reef. Sun is pretty low in the sky so not much natural light. Looking forward to spring and the sun to shine on in
Later,
Jim
Updated Pics
Here's an updated video of my reef. Sun is pretty low in the sky so not much natural light. Looking forward to spring and the sun to shine on in
Later,
Jim
JMBoehling
Premium Member
It's growing season and time for a spring time update 
Later,
Jim
Later,
Jim
SERVO
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13502465#post13502465 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
As for the 'ring' to direct the light... you might want to consider that the light coming down the shaft in these things is alot different than a bulb in a relative shallow reflector...
The light isnt from a point source, but enters at all angles (a). As the light comes in at a more and more of an angle... it will bounce off the sides of the 'tube' more and more... every time it does it will lose some of its intensity... say... with some miro that is 95% reflective... after hitting the sides of the tube a dozen or so times... you can lose a good percentage of the light coming in (an argument that the further north you are, the more you might consider having your sola tubes come down at an angle... perhaps the average angle of the sun at noon as it varies throughout the year... so you have more direct light).
If you decide on adding a 'ring' of reflective material to help guide the light downwards, also consider that since this isnt a point source light, like from a bulb, having a curved reflector is rather pointless. If you have a 'spherical' shape (b), you arent helping the light that hits the ring towards the bottom since its almost parallel with the sola-tube.... so what's the point? With a 'parabolic' (c), you have much the same, but at the top of the reflector... light that hits it at a sharp angle will still exit at a sharp angle. So the best 'average' is actually just a flat sided funnel (d)... which is nice because its the easiest to make. It will bend the most light downwards, and by making it 'flat sided', you can even have the angle be adjustable (so you can vary the funnel walls from say.... 45 degrees to 30 degrees) by having the bottom edge overlap and be adjustable with clamps (top edge stays the diameter of the sola tube, bottom diameter can change in diameter... like an aperture on a camera).
I've always thought that it would be pretty cool to take some luminarc reflectors, cut a hole and or customize the design to obtain maximum reflectivity. There isn't a coral out there that wouldn't keep its color providing your chemisty's are stable and appropriate.
JMBoehling
Premium Member
Shots from tonight. No natural sun, just (02) t5's and a couple LED's. Natural Light is booming right now. I'll take some day shots in a few months.
Later,
Jim
Later,
Jim
Western_reefer
Reef keeper
VERY nice reef Jim!!
JMBoehling
Premium Member
Thanks!
My reef wall goal from over 5 years ago is in sight. Many bumps in the road and setbacks along the way. There are just so MANY variables in this hobby, one bad turn and your back to square one...Jim
Hello, Im thrill to this. I have few questions.
1-Is there any different with the solar tube that we find in local hardware like lowe or HD?
2-How to determine the distance of the tubes to the surface of the water?
3-Is there any diffuser at all, if no, how to keep moisture out of the tube?
4-with the tank 50" length, how many tubes requires?
Thanks,
1-Is there any different with the solar tube that we find in local hardware like lowe or HD?
2-How to determine the distance of the tubes to the surface of the water?
3-Is there any diffuser at all, if no, how to keep moisture out of the tube?
4-with the tank 50" length, how many tubes requires?
Thanks,
JMBoehling
Premium Member
1-Is there any different with the solar tube that we find in local hardware like lowe or HD?
I used the Home Depot specials
2-How to determine the distance of the tubes to the surface of the water?
Leave yourself enough room to get your arms and head over the tank
3-Is there any diffuser at all, if no, how to keep moisture out of the tube?
They come with a diffuser but I don;t use it. My tubes have corroded a bit over the past 4 years, but nothing too bad. I guess I can always replace the liner if it gets really bad.
4-with the tank 50" length, how many tubes requires?
As many as you can fit. I would include a couple t5's (i have 4 on my 90) I used the 10" tubes, and should have gone with the 14" I would think (02) 14" tubes on a 50" tank with some T5's would keep your reef plenty happy
Keep us updated on the build.
Later,
Jim
vincent843
New member
this is what I have been wordered how do you deal with algea, like most of tanks have algea problem because get direct sun light from the window.
