SolaTubes for reef tanks - Page 10

salty joe · 03/12/2004, 08:45 AM

When I install light tubes, I plan to find a way to make the last couple feet of tube over the tank removable for maintenance. This way, I can bring the tube to within a few inches of the water. Keep all that light in the tank.

delnino · 03/15/2004, 04:47 PM

Wow, I just read this entire thread, like reading a short book. I have ordered a few sun tubes for my house and one will be used for a reptile enclosure( 4 Somalian Uromastyx lizards). I also want to use a 21" tube to light a small seagrass bed in my kitchen. I spoke with Calfo at a reef club meeting here in Denver a few months ago. He said success can be achieved but the uv blockage of the roof top dome is critical. Apparently, low 80's is an ideal percentage of uv blockage. All domes I have seen tout 95% or greater. I was thinking of having one custom made. Anybody have ideas about what material should be used and how to get it manufactured?

salty joe · 03/15/2004, 07:44 PM

A few days ago, I asked Calfo about using a sun tube on his forum. He reccomended using a sun tube with no UV filter.

dvups1 · 03/18/2004, 03:48 PM

Well according to my local Solatube dealer there in on way to remove the UV block from the dome. It blocks almost all UV and I think that just won't work. I contacted Sun Tube today and they assured me that for an extra $100 they could provide a dome for their 13" tube that did not block any UV. They claim that Solatubes materials are not UV stable and that is why Solatube has to have the UV dome. Sun Tube apparently dosen't have that problem so they are now my choice supplier.

Question? How much UV does a reef aquarium filter? The way my plans are laid out, my tank will be directly behind my dark brown leather ofa. Does anyone know if I am going to get considerable sun damage/ wear on the tops of the sofa?

DennisRB · 03/20/2004, 07:55 PM

This thread rocks!

How dear is mirrored acrylic. What about having a rectangular hole in your ceiling a bit smaller than the size of your tank and covering the insides with mirrored acrylic? Having the hole a bit smaller would add the coned effect. Surely this would create the most possible light for your coral as the light collection area would be much bigger than solar tubes. Depending on the roof design it could be difficult to make in an existing house though. It would be very easy in my house. Shame about the tall buildings and trees that create shade on my roof.

getwet · 03/21/2004, 12:46 PM

Actually, there is a company patenting a square sun tube...for lack of a better term. I don't recall the name of the company and they didn't have it for sale yet, but they used a pyramidal shaped mirrors with a square skylight (like a obelisk with the top cut off for the skylight) . Creates sharper angles vs. the shallow angles created by the tubes.

I figured one of those could be built around the bottom of a standard sun tube, to better contain and focus light. It's in the plans.

Instigator · 03/21/2004, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DennisRB

How dear is mirrored acrylic. What about having a rectangular hole in your ceiling a bit smaller than the size of your tank and covering the insides with mirrored acrylic? Having the hole a bit smaller would add the coned effect. Surely this would create the most possible light for your coral as the light collection area would be much bigger than solar tubes. Depending on the roof design it could be difficult to make in an existing house though. It would be very easy in my house. Shame about the tall buildings and trees that create shade on my roof.

Nice idea! But...

Does acryllic filter/absorb UV?
Would direct sunlight warp or discolor acrylic? What is the wear potential of this material.

I would go with the thinnest acryllic sheets possible. The shape would also help maximize the space between raffters or studs. I would go with a more straight design and put a cone shape near the bottom though. Because you would be using flat mirrors I would suggest some type of diffuser lens either at the top or bottom of the tube to prevent the "hot spot" from driectly moving accross the tank (unless you want that effect).

BLUESMAN · 04/24/2004, 05:12 PM

I read the entire thread......a lot of great info here! Here's my question......I have a patio that will be enclosed. The roof is flat and about 9' high. I live in sunny Arizona, so daily sunligt is not a problem even in the winter. I have no trees or other shading devices over/near the patio. Should I install a couple 21" solatubes or a larger skylight panel? The roof rafters are spaced out at 24" o.c. and has no insulation(open ceiling). Also if I do install the "tubes" should they extend as close to the tank top as possible? I'll be growing out sps's in one or two of these tanks. At present time I'm running 250/400w MH's and VHO's (about 2500 watts total over the two tanks). I was planning on installing a simple AC window unit to ensure temperature. Thanks!
Blue

SAT · 04/24/2004, 05:24 PM

Blue,

I like my tubes. It sounds like it wouldn't be too hard for you to install. However, don't expect them to be a replacement for your main lighting. I think during the summer (April through August) a 21" tube is approximately equal to a 250W MH bulb. In December, even in Arizona, it's probably equal to a 40W NO fluorescent lamp (the angle of the sun is what matters, not the brightness).

If you do install it, yes you should push the output down as close to the water as you can manage.

clkwrk · 04/29/2004, 09:56 PM

Has any one cut one of these tubes up and used them as reflectors for their moguls? I was thinking I could get 4 reflectors out of one tube. I seen some at home depot and the were very reflective.

techdef · 05/03/2004, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SAT

I would consider filtering if (a) I thought I had more than enough light to begin with and (b) the filters weren't so bloody expensive.

sorry if this has already been covered. I'm still a ways from finishing this thread, but you can use Rosco theatrical filters which come in 20*30" sheets at around $10 each. THey've got a kelvin calculator that'll tell you what filter combo to use, going from 6000 to 10000K would use a sheet of 3204 half-blue. I've used these to good effect when my 10K bulbs burned out & had to run 3200K for a few weeks during a re-order.

-jamie

RGibson · 05/03/2004, 02:57 PM

techdef-were can you buy Rosco theatrical filters? RGibson

BLUESMAN · 05/03/2004, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by clkwrk
Has any one cut one of these tubes up and used them as reflectors for their moguls? I was thinking I could get 4 reflectors out of one tube. I seen some at home depot and the were very reflective.

Yeah that's what I use...very reflective and you can get four reflectors out of one tube. I believe the tubes are $36/42 at HD/Lowes.
Blue

clkwrk · 05/03/2004, 03:18 PM

Thx Blue how do they compare to other reflectors you have used?Not counting the spider reflector

techdef · 05/03/2004, 03:20 PM

RGibson, most any theatrical supply company. If you look under theatrical / theater supply in your phonebook there will hopefully be something. Otherwise their website is: http://www.rosco.com/

If you call or email them they'll send you the Kelvin Calculator excel spreadsheet so that you could get your exact needs taken care of. You can also look up on the website the specs for any gel (what they're called) so you could see for example that a single sheet of 3204 would block 52% of the light...

-jamie

RGibson · 05/03/2004, 03:44 PM

Thank you. RGibson

gatohoser · 05/03/2004, 10:25 PM

The guy just disappeared off the face of the earth and i went thru 10 pages just reading to see the pics! lol. TAG

gatohoser · 05/25/2004, 01:36 PM

come on updates needed

electric130 · 07/02/2004, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SAT
Blue,

I like my tubes....

thread started 2 years ago, now 10 pages, so many people say they're using these, but still no pics????? come on! lets see some pics. i went through every page and some people made posts saying "here's the right side" and stuff like that, but there's no pics there. what's up?

gatohoser · 07/02/2004, 12:21 PM

YES PLZ POST SOME PICS!

clkwrk · 07/02/2004, 03:29 PM

Blue was commenting on using the tubes as reflectors for mh's.
I too now use them for reflectors .I got 4 reflectors out of one tube.All I can say is wow they really kick up the light output.

electric130 · 07/03/2004, 07:11 PM

reflectors or sunlight, lets see some pics!!!

MikeG · 07/11/2004, 05:42 AM

Let's bring this one back!

Any new pics guys? I am also in the process of building, and of course, upgrading my tank. I am interested in the solatubes to supplement my HQIs. Any more help would be appreciated!

Thanks,

wazbot · 07/13/2004, 08:12 AM

Hi Guys,

I am Building a 10x2.5x2.5 this year and am going to be using solatubes for my main lighting.

Everyone wants pictures...So here is a link to a guy on the East Coast (of Australia!) that has used them.

http://home.iprimus.com.au/jmfaz/index.htm

http://home.iprimus.com.au/aurorabridal/Doc1.htm

http://home.iprimus.com.au/aurorabridal/massa.htm

and the thread with info

http://www.masa.asn.au/rtaw/showflat...true#Post70579

Enjoy.

MikeG · 07/13/2004, 03:36 PM

Thanks for the links Wazbot. Is the box under the tubs some sort of diffuser, or simply used to hang the supplimental actinics?

03/12/2004, 08:45 AM	#226
salty joe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: medina, ohio Posts: 2,419	When I install light tubes, I plan to find a way to make the last couple feet of tube over the tank removable for maintenance. This way, I can bring the tube to within a few inches of the water. Keep all that light in the tank. __________________ Time to roll the dice.

03/15/2004, 07:44 PM	#228
salty joe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: medina, ohio Posts: 2,419	A few days ago, I asked Calfo about using a sun tube on his forum. He reccomended using a sun tube with no UV filter. __________________ Time to roll the dice.

03/18/2004, 03:48 PM	#229
dvups1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Arlington, Tx. Posts: 951	Well according to my local Solatube dealer there in on way to remove the UV block from the dome. It blocks almost all UV and I think that just won't work. I contacted Sun Tube today and they assured me that for an extra $100 they could provide a dome for their 13" tube that did not block any UV. They claim that Solatubes materials are not UV stable and that is why Solatube has to have the UV dome. Sun Tube apparently dosen't have that problem so they are now my choice supplier. Question? How much UV does a reef aquarium filter? The way my plans are laid out, my tank will be directly behind my dark brown leather ofa. Does anyone know if I am going to get considerable sun damage/ wear on the tops of the sofa? __________________ Faith? You have to believe it to see it. Current Tank Info: 12 gallon JBJ nano

04/24/2004, 05:12 PM	#233
BLUESMAN Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Buckeye!(but it's a dry R ! heat),Az. Posts: 2,417	I read the entire thread......a lot of great info here! Here's my question......I have a patio that will be enclosed. The roof is flat and about 9' high. I live in sunny Arizona, so daily sunligt is not a problem even in the winter. I have no trees or other shading devices over/near the patio. Should I install a couple 21" solatubes or a larger skylight panel? The roof rafters are spaced out at 24" o.c. and has no insulation(open ceiling). Also if I do install the "tubes" should they extend as close to the tank top as possible? I'll be growing out sps's in one or two of these tanks. At present time I'm running 250/400w MH's and VHO's (about 2500 watts total over the two tanks). I was planning on installing a simple AC window unit to ensure temperature. Thanks! Blue __________________ SPS and Zoanthid Nut!! Current Tank Info: 40g BB Tank, SPS/LPS,250w MH, Seios, TF1000 skimmer, percs,Tang,Wrasses

04/24/2004, 05:24 PM	#234
SAT Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Berwyn, PA Posts: 4,073 Blog Entries: 1	Blue, I like my tubes. It sounds like it wouldn't be too hard for you to install. However, don't expect them to be a replacement for your main lighting. I think during the summer (April through August) a 21" tube is approximately equal to a 250W MH bulb. In December, even in Arizona, it's probably equal to a 40W NO fluorescent lamp (the angle of the sun is what matters, not the brightness). If you do install it, yes you should push the output down as close to the water as you can manage. __________________ Stuart Current Tank Info: 300G Caribbean biotype reef set up in 2003.

03/15/2004, 04:47 PM	#227
delnino Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 15	Wow, I just read this entire thread, like reading a short book. I have ordered a few sun tubes for my house and one will be used for a reptile enclosure( 4 Somalian Uromastyx lizards). I also want to use a 21" tube to light a small seagrass bed in my kitchen. I spoke with Calfo at a reef club meeting here in Denver a few months ago. He said success can be achieved but the uv blockage of the roof top dome is critical. Apparently, low 80's is an ideal percentage of uv blockage. All domes I have seen tout 95% or greater. I was thinking of having one custom made. Anybody have ideas about what material should be used and how to get it manufactured?

03/20/2004, 07:55 PM	#230
DennisRB Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 388	This thread rocks! How dear is mirrored acrylic. What about having a rectangular hole in your ceiling a bit smaller than the size of your tank and covering the insides with mirrored acrylic? Having the hole a bit smaller would add the coned effect. Surely this would create the most possible light for your coral as the light collection area would be much bigger than solar tubes. Depending on the roof design it could be difficult to make in an existing house though. It would be very easy in my house. Shame about the tall buildings and trees that create shade on my roof.

03/21/2004, 12:46 PM	#231
getwet Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Belgium/California Posts: 62	Actually, there is a company patenting a square sun tube...for lack of a better term. I don't recall the name of the company and they didn't have it for sale yet, but they used a pyramidal shaped mirrors with a square skylight (like a obelisk with the top cut off for the skylight) . Creates sharper angles vs. the shallow angles created by the tubes. I figured one of those could be built around the bottom of a standard sun tube, to better contain and focus light. It's in the plans.

04/29/2004, 09:56 PM	#235
clkwrk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mesa ,Az Posts: 10,257	Has any one cut one of these tubes up and used them as reflectors for their moguls? I was thinking I could get 4 reflectors out of one tube. I seen some at home depot and the were very reflective. __________________ ------- Feel free to use my photos for ONLY informative sites, education or enjoyment.All I ask is to include my Reef Central User id and where you got the photo ( RC).

05/03/2004, 02:57 PM	#237
RGibson RGibson Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 2,377	techdef-were can you buy Rosco theatrical filters? RGibson __________________ RGibson

05/03/2004, 03:18 PM	#239
clkwrk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mesa ,Az Posts: 10,257	Thx Blue how do they compare to other reflectors you have used?Not counting the spider reflector __________________ ------- Feel free to use my photos for ONLY informative sites, education or enjoyment.All I ask is to include my Reef Central User id and where you got the photo ( RC).

05/03/2004, 03:20 PM	#240
techdef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: LA Posts: 97	RGibson, most any theatrical supply company. If you look under theatrical / theater supply in your phonebook there will hopefully be something. Otherwise their website is: http://www.rosco.com/ If you call or email them they'll send you the Kelvin Calculator excel spreadsheet so that you could get your exact needs taken care of. You can also look up on the website the specs for any gel (what they're called) so you could see for example that a single sheet of 3204 would block 52% of the light... -jamie

05/03/2004, 03:44 PM	#241
RGibson RGibson Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 2,377	Thank you. RGibson __________________ RGibson

05/03/2004, 10:25 PM	#242
gatohoser Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 1,490	The guy just disappeared off the face of the earth and i went thru 10 pages just reading to see the pics! lol. TAG

05/25/2004, 01:36 PM	#243
gatohoser Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 1,490	come on updates needed

07/02/2004, 12:21 PM	#245
gatohoser Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 1,490	YES PLZ POST SOME PICS!

07/02/2004, 03:29 PM	#246
clkwrk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mesa ,Az Posts: 10,257	Blue was commenting on using the tubes as reflectors for mh's. I too now use them for reflectors .I got 4 reflectors out of one tube.All I can say is wow they really kick up the light output. __________________ ------- Feel free to use my photos for ONLY informative sites, education or enjoyment.All I ask is to include my Reef Central User id and where you got the photo ( RC).

07/03/2004, 07:11 PM	#247
electric130 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Lowesville/Denver, NC Posts: 4,646	reflectors or sunlight, lets see some pics!!! __________________ J.R. Current Tank Info: None

07/11/2004, 05:42 AM	#248
MikeG Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Lloyd Harbor, NY Posts: 641	Let's bring this one back! Any new pics guys? I am also in the process of building, and of course, upgrading my tank. I am interested in the solatubes to supplement my HQIs. Any more help would be appreciated! Thanks, __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: Elos 120, Elos Planet pro leds

07/13/2004, 08:12 AM	#249
wazbot Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Western Australia Posts: 46	Solatubes Hi Guys, I am Building a 10x2.5x2.5 this year and am going to be using solatubes for my main lighting. Everyone wants pictures...So here is a link to a guy on the East Coast (of Australia!) that has used them. http://home.iprimus.com.au/jmfaz/index.htm http://home.iprimus.com.au/aurorabridal/Doc1.htm http://home.iprimus.com.au/aurorabridal/massa.htm and the thread with info http://www.masa.asn.au/rtaw/showflat...true#Post70579 Enjoy. __________________ Wazbot Current Tank Info: 2500L Reef

07/13/2004, 03:36 PM	#250
MikeG Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Lloyd Harbor, NY Posts: 641	Thanks for the links Wazbot. Is the box under the tubs some sort of diffuser, or simply used to hang the supplimental actinics? __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: Elos 120, Elos Planet pro leds