thinking about going solar

bear 01

bear 01

New member
Hi

my current system is 400g (sps)
display tank measurement: 85"L 32"W 28"H

Lighting System:3x400W MH +4x110W T12 +2x54W T5

cooling System:
2.5 HP compressor + 36,000 BTU titanium Heat exchang

In my new system Im thinking about going solar

the new tank will be 52"-57" W (still in Planning stages)

I intend to use the solatube

which model do you think will be the Best for 52"-57" W tank ?

Solatube®290
What is the difference between DS to DSe model ?
Solatube®330 DS
Solatube®750 DS

please advice
 
you may find yourself paying more for them than you would for LEDS.

youd be stuck with them in that spot not being able to move the tank ever if you need to

does it snow where you live? winter light may put your tank in a dark for almost 6 months total counting rainy and snowy days.

sunlight does wonders for coral growth but it does wonders for algae as well and youd still need to run actinics otherwise the sunlight (yellow) will make your reef look like a bucket of rocks.

there were more drawbacks but doesnt want to write an essay.


they seem like a good idea at first but IMHO there are too many downsides.

look at LEDS they are cheap to run, you can DIY a fixture for not that much and it has good resale value and if you want to do the self sufficient thing start looking into solar batteries perhaps they may be tax deductible in your area.

sorry to be a downer. like i said its all my opinion and by no means do i think i know everything. perhaps there are sides of the argument i have not even seen.
 
alextheromanian said:
you may find yourself paying more for them than you would for LEDS.

youd be stuck with them in that spot not being able to move the tank ever if you need to

does it snow where you live? winter light may put your tank in a dark for almost 6 months total counting rainy and snowy days.

sunlight does wonders for coral growth but it does wonders for algae as well and youd still need to run actinics otherwise the sunlight (yellow) will make your reef look like a bucket of rocks.

there were more drawbacks but doesnt want to write an essay.


they seem like a good idea at first but IMHO there are too many downsides.

look at LEDS they are cheap to run, you can DIY a fixture for not that much and it has good resale value and if you want to do the self sufficient thing start looking into solar batteries perhaps they may be tax deductible in your area.

sorry to be a downer. like i said its all my opinion and by no means do i think i know everything. perhaps there are sides of the argument i have not even seen.
Click to expand...



I live in sunny israel :D
it doesnt snow where i live
total counting rainy days :about 10-15 a year

the building of the tank is simultaneously to the Construction of the house
tank+ platform total weight: roughly 3.5 thousand kilogram
so it is impossible to move it anyway


which model do you think will be the Best for 52"-57" W tank ?

Solatube®290
What is the difference between DS to DSe model ?
Solatube®330 DS
Solatube®750 DS

please advice
 
Honestly, I am in KY and my next home I will definately install solatubes for my next build. You can go a few different ways with this, but with new construction it makes sense to me to install solatubes with "supplemental" lighting for raining days.

I don't think the issue with moving the tank is that big of a deal that Alex thinks it is. When you have a tank bigger than 200g, you really don't plan on moving it after it is in anyway.

I am not an expert on the costs as of now because I have not built a system with one, but I would think the larger the tank the more it pays off.
 
I live in Montana and there is just not enough sunny days here. not that it matters but i think alex was talking about moving the light not the tank......
 
check the thread nctinter pointed you to thats my 400 build with solar tubes!
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2040499
DSCN2103.jpg

DSCN2129.jpg
 
Hi jdpiii3

i am already following your build :thumbsup:
Looks great
i also read a lot of thread on RC regarding solar tubes
I cant find nobody thet Use them on a wide tank :sad2:

what is the recommended Lighting area for 21" tubes ?
(i see on your thread its comparable to 1500W)

my new tank will be 52"-57" W 26"H
do you think 21" tubes will be sufficient for sps ?

p.s
thanks nctinter
 
The diameter of the tube determines the coverage area - a 10 inch solar light will cover up to 150 sq feet, and provide the equivalent of up to 300 watts. Upgrade to a 13 inch tube, and the coverage doubles to 300 sq feet, with the comparison kicking up to 500 watts. A 21 inch light covers 700 sq feet and delivers up to impressive 1450 watts.

I would do 3 or 4 21 inch domes. (1500 watts per dome) They will give off plenty of light; they also make a dimmer systems and night time lighting systems for the tubes.

You will have to add some actinic light (I'm in the process of building my led system now I figure it should draw about 60-80 watts)

I’m also adding a few solar panels to our roof to supply power to run the system I will only use electric on cloudy rainy days. (My 150 was costing on avg $120-$140 a month in electric to run the 400 should be $30-$40 a month!)

How far south are you? That will determine how much light you will be able to use.

Joe
 
thanks Joe

in regard to coverage area i meant for reef Application

I'm afraid thet because of the width of the tank
i will have to add some MH to increase the light in the edge( widthwise)
or do you think the will be able to disperse the light to 55"W
and still be effective for sps growth ?

"How far south are you? That will determine how much light you will be able to use. "


I live in sunny israel
 
my tank is 72x36x36 with the 2 21 inch tubes I dont have any dark spots. You could go with smaller tubes and just do two rows of them to get full coverge.
We will be doing some par reading of the tank so stay tuned...
 
LEDS Are not an option as main Light Source in my system
maybe as actinic Light

jdpiii3
"We will be doing some par reading of the tank so stay tuned... "

:thumbsup:
 
for such a sunny place and a clean slate yeah i guess it pretty much defeats any downsides. to me it didnt make sense for a 75 gal that i ended up moving 3 times around the living room ( yes im one of those people)

for a fixed in wall big tank....knock yourself out. as far as the size...bigger is always better leaving in more light and you can always cut down the output if by (taping part of the lens? it would still leave you in need of actinic however and since those solatubes take up so much space LED would be your best bet....especially since you can place them individually according to where they would make sense the most in regards to your rockwork. good luck sir. its very interesting to see when someone takes on a fairly new idea and makes it work despite tried and true methods. i guess it shows the rest of us who dont have such a chance to rebuild what else out there is possible.
 
I am looking to get solar tubes for a 600 gallon build and the information has been very helpful.

I agree that solar tube isn't effective for smaller tanks.

And it is great that people take on new ideas to make improvement on the "tried and true" products. LEDs, T5s, solar tubes, etc. would never have made this far if people didn't want to take on new ideas to improve on the "tried and true" methods.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

daniloronchi
My complete Review of Chiller TECO TR15
Replies
6
Views
6K
Daniel Reef
Daniel Reef
Back
Top