SolaTubes for reef tanks - Page 27

hllywd · 01/20/2006, 01:04 PM

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 · 02/11/2006, 01:02 PM

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

Hef · 02/11/2006, 04:37 PM

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

JMBoehling · 02/11/2006, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted 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 · 02/11/2006, 10:36 PM

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 · 02/12/2006, 03:12 PM

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 · 02/12/2006, 04:10 PM

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 · 02/12/2006, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted 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 · 02/12/2006, 06:04 PM

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 · 02/13/2006, 12:36 PM

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.

Herpervet · 02/13/2006, 01:17 PM

Chihuahua,

The above tank has two 48"X 48" skylights above it with no bend in the light well.

The roof is about 11 feet above the surface of the tank and the light well ends about 40 inches above the tank surface.

There is a mylar curtain that is a somewhat successful attempt to extend the light well but still allow room to work.

If I had to do it all over I would DEFINATELY add a window to the west and/or south of the tank as this would greatly improve the lighting.

During the mid-day you get very nice bright light but late afternoon it tapers off quickly. Facing a west window would do wonders.

salty joe · 02/13/2006, 02:13 PM

Herpervert,

What direction do your skylights face & what pitch is the roof, which is usually measured as a fraction with a denominator of 12, with rise over run? (A 12/12 roof is steep, a 4/12 roof is easy to walk on).

Your setup looks great!

Thanks

Joe

JMBoehling · 02/13/2006, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 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.

Amanda,

I am right around 12' from my roof. I've got them about 1 ft above the water from my tank.

You won't have ANY problems with brightness. The only thing you may want to consider is some supplemental lights (Highly recomend Blue+ T5's) to bring out some colors in your fish and corals..

Can't wait to see your updated pics when the time comes..

Later,

Jim

Herpervet · 02/13/2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by salty joe
Herpervert,

What direction do your skylights face & what pitch is the roof, which is usually measured as a fraction with a denominator of 12, with rise over run? (A 12/12 roof is steep, a 4/12 roof is easy to walk on).

Your setup looks great!

Thanks

Joe

Flat roof or very nearly flat. So the skylights are certainly not optimized.

Jim has his tubes a lot closer than I could pull off since my skylights cover the entire footprint of the tank.

I would like someone to show me how to rig up a diy telescoping section on the distal portion so the tubes/light well could be raised and lowered for ease of access and still maximize light.

Chihuahua6 · 02/13/2006, 03:14 PM

BTW if anyone is curious my roof has a 10/12 pitch. One dome is on the east side and two face south. They're all close to each other. This is a lower roof section over the laundry room. The house has a complicated roof. Hope that makes sense.

barryhc · 02/13/2006, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Herpervet

I would like someone to show me how to rig up a diy telescoping section on the distal portion so the tubes/light well could be raised and lowered for ease of access and still maximize light.

Look at the angular graphics on page 26. Even on that system it would be easy to put a "hood" that goes vertical, by 3 feet or more, and a straight sided enclosure would be every bit as easy.

It sounds like your light is not being concentrated to the top surface area of the tank.

> Barry

Chihuahua6 · 02/13/2006, 03:22 PM

BTW if anyone is curious my roof has a 10/12 pitch. One dome is on the east side and two face south. They're all close to each other. This is a lower roof section over the laundry room. The house has a complicated roof. Hope that makes sense.

Herpervet · 02/13/2006, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barryhc
Look at the angular graphics on page 26. Even on that system it would be easy to put a "hood" that goes vertical, by 3 feet or more, and a straight sided enclosure would be every bit as easy.

It sounds like your light is not being concentrated to the top surface area of the tank.

> Barry

Can you explain that in Texican for me?

Yes. I believe I am losing quite a bit of the potential although during the summer when the angle changes I will be getting actual direct illumination for part of the day. (Last summer when the tank was installed I noted that I could see the sun directly from one side of the tank.)

hllywd · 02/13/2006, 05:16 PM

If you could keep the salt from eating the mylar, the curtain idea sounds like something to explore...

Also on a flat roof I would think some type of reflector on the roof to help the collection efficiency would be a huge benefit.

Herpervet · 02/13/2006, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hllywd
If you could keep the salt from eating the mylar, the curtain idea sounds like something to explore...

Also on a flat roof I would think some type of reflector on the roof to help the collection efficiency would be a huge benefit.

The skylights I used have a tracking system that uses a photo-cell to keep a set of louvres facing the sun. the problem is that during the mid-day hours it actually shades the tank.

It should in theory provide more light throught the early morning and late afternoon.

I took them down because they were not tracking properly.

I havn't noticed any corrosion on the mylar at all. I think its mainly a plastic right?

hllywd · 02/13/2006, 08:03 PM

Mylar has a film of aluminum deposited on the surface, what's not working with that idea? Downfalls?

Louvers huh??? Seems like that should work if they're set up right...

hllywd · 02/13/2006, 08:06 PM

Chihuahua6, How far from the bottom of the tube to where the top of your tank will be?

Herpervet · 02/13/2006, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hllywd
Mylar has a film of aluminum deposited on the surface, what's not working with that idea? Downfalls?

Louvers huh??? Seems like that should work if they're set up right...

The louvers worked ok when the tracking system functioned properly but it was inconsistent.

Our building doesn't have easy roof access and so I came to the conclusion that I'd be better off without them.

They are angled such that they actually decrease light with the mid-day summer sun.

salty joe · 02/13/2006, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Herpervet

I would like someone to show me how to rig up a diy telescoping section on the distal portion so the tubes/light well could be raised and lowered for ease of access and still maximize light.

When I set up my skylight system, I am thinking of building the light tunnel of plywood lined with specular aluminum. It will come down almost to the top of the tank. There will be a horizontal hinge that runs the entire width of the light tunnel about 2 feet from the top of the tank.

spsboy · 02/13/2006, 10:35 PM

I love this thread, I've always woendered if this would be possible,
Thanks to all for posting your experiences
drew

01/20/2006, 01:04 PM	#651
hllywd Premier World Traveler Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,293	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. __________________ "The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it..." J.M. Barrie Current Tank Info: 210 AGA RR, Apex, 3x Kessil A360W & 2x 80W T5s, GEO 618 Ca Rx, BM220 CS2 skimmer, Tunze 6100s, 42" ETSS/AE Tech refugium/sump

02/11/2006, 01:02 PM	#652
Herpervet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 675	skylights Poor quality photo but at least you can see the sunlight entering the tank.

02/13/2006, 12:36 PM	#660
Chihuahua6 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Hempstead, NY Posts: 2,124	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. __________________ Leah Amanda Current Tank Info: First salt tank 1985, current tank 150 g acrylic

02/13/2006, 02:13 PM	#662
salty joe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: medina, ohio Posts: 2,419	Herpervert, What direction do your skylights face & what pitch is the roof, which is usually measured as a fraction with a denominator of 12, with rise over run? (A 12/12 roof is steep, a 4/12 roof is easy to walk on). Your setup looks great! Thanks Joe __________________ Time to roll the dice.

02/13/2006, 03:14 PM	#665
Chihuahua6 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Hempstead, NY Posts: 2,124	BTW if anyone is curious my roof has a 10/12 pitch. One dome is on the east side and two face south. They're all close to each other. This is a lower roof section over the laundry room. The house has a complicated roof. Hope that makes sense. __________________ Leah Amanda Current Tank Info: First salt tank 1985, current tank 150 g acrylic

02/11/2006, 04:37 PM	#653
Hef Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Fair Haven NJ Posts: 2,291	Very nice, is that sunlight only? How are you doing it.

02/11/2006, 10:36 PM	#655
Herpervet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 675	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.

02/12/2006, 03:12 PM	#656
tinyreef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Livingston, NJ Posts: 384	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.

02/12/2006, 04:10 PM	#657
Herpervet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 675	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.

02/12/2006, 06:04 PM	#659
Herpervet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 675	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

02/13/2006, 01:17 PM	#661
Herpervet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 675	Chihuahua, The above tank has two 48"X 48" skylights above it with no bend in the light well. The roof is about 11 feet above the surface of the tank and the light well ends about 40 inches above the tank surface. There is a mylar curtain that is a somewhat successful attempt to extend the light well but still allow room to work. If I had to do it all over I would DEFINATELY add a window to the west and/or south of the tank as this would greatly improve the lighting. During the mid-day you get very nice bright light but late afternoon it tapers off quickly. Facing a west window would do wonders.

02/13/2006, 03:22 PM	#667
Chihuahua6 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Hempstead, NY Posts: 2,124	BTW if anyone is curious my roof has a 10/12 pitch. One dome is on the east side and two face south. They're all close to each other. This is a lower roof section over the laundry room. The house has a complicated roof. Hope that makes sense. __________________ Leah Amanda Current Tank Info: First salt tank 1985, current tank 150 g acrylic

02/13/2006, 05:16 PM	#669
hllywd Premier World Traveler Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,293	If you could keep the salt from eating the mylar, the curtain idea sounds like something to explore... Also on a flat roof I would think some type of reflector on the roof to help the collection efficiency would be a huge benefit. __________________ "The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it..." J.M. Barrie Current Tank Info: 210 AGA RR, Apex, 3x Kessil A360W & 2x 80W T5s, GEO 618 Ca Rx, BM220 CS2 skimmer, Tunze 6100s, 42" ETSS/AE Tech refugium/sump

02/13/2006, 08:03 PM	#671
hllywd Premier World Traveler Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,293	Mylar has a film of aluminum deposited on the surface, what's not working with that idea? Downfalls? Louvers huh??? Seems like that should work if they're set up right... __________________ "The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it..." J.M. Barrie Current Tank Info: 210 AGA RR, Apex, 3x Kessil A360W & 2x 80W T5s, GEO 618 Ca Rx, BM220 CS2 skimmer, Tunze 6100s, 42" ETSS/AE Tech refugium/sump

02/13/2006, 08:06 PM	#672
hllywd Premier World Traveler Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,293	Chihuahua6, How far from the bottom of the tube to where the top of your tank will be? __________________ "The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it..." J.M. Barrie Current Tank Info: 210 AGA RR, Apex, 3x Kessil A360W & 2x 80W T5s, GEO 618 Ca Rx, BM220 CS2 skimmer, Tunze 6100s, 42" ETSS/AE Tech refugium/sump

02/13/2006, 10:35 PM	#675
spsboy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: North Texas Posts: 440	I love this thread, I've always woendered if this would be possible, Thanks to all for posting your experiences drew