SolaTubes for reef tanks - Page 11

wazbot · 07/14/2004, 04:23 AM

From what I've read its to hold his metal halides and actinics. He uses 4x 150W 14000k bulbs as a supplement to the solatubes.

I guess this is so you can watch the tank after sundown, or if friends are coming over?

Scuba_Dave · 07/14/2004, 08:03 AM

Nice to see some pics. I'm going to be adding my 1st Solartube in my house. It's going in a 2nd floor bedroom/extra room. I'm removing 1 window (of 2) so I'm hoping the solatube will brighten up the room.
Dependingh upon the results I may add 3 more when my addition is built; which will house a 180g or larger tank

Herpervet · 08/16/2004, 11:45 PM

I am currently planning a 560 gallon reef 7.5' X 4' X 30in with natural lighting.

The lights I chose are by natural light company out of arizona. They have a unique square (instead of tubular) light that comes in 4' X 4' square sizes.

These are unique in that they have an active tracking system that uses a set of mirrors to focus light down into the light well. This is supposed to result in more intensity throughout the day.

The plan is to place two of these over the tank. There will be a small overhang into the filter room.

Here is a link for the manufactur:http://www.daylighting.com/active_daylighting.htm

And a photo of the mirror system:http://www.daylighting.com/images/ABCO%20ROOF.htm

The other cool feature is they already have T5 lighting systems to supplement. There is some shadowing concerns but apparently it isn't a big deal. I would rather have some 20K metal halides mounted inside the light well but I am going to try this first since they already have the kinks worked out.

I plan on adding 58w T-5 actinics from sunlight supply to effect so that I get enough blue for my taste.

DennisRB · 08/17/2004, 12:49 AM

That thing looks impressive. I was thinking of how a similar design could be made the other day. Is it expensive?

Shoestring Reefer · 08/17/2004, 06:49 AM

Herpervet-will yours have a diffuser on the bottom?

MikeG · 08/17/2004, 07:13 AM

Sorry if I missed it, but is there pricing on the units? do they only come in 4'x4' units?

Herpervet · 08/17/2004, 06:18 PM

Mike, Dennis:The installed price is $1500 but I am not sure of the breakdown (i.e. how much of the cost is a result of the tracking system)
No question this is WAY more than standard tubular skylights but the tracking system may result in no need for any other supplementation other than the built in T5's.

So we will be spending approximately $3500 or so on the lighting system. Now the hard part is determining the QUALITY of the light. The proof will be in the pudding(I hope). If we assume that an equivalent lighting system was 1500watts run for 12 hours a day for 365 days a year then one year of power use comes to about $657 at $.10 per KW hour. So the units pay for themselves in electricity in 5.4 years. If you factor in the cost of bulb replacement then thats another 3 to 500 plus per year. This drops the break even point to 3 years or so.

Obviously this based on some major assumptions since the intensity and coverage of light remain to be seen but a Quantum (PAR) meter will be used to get some factual data and I will let you guys know.

Unfortunately the tracking system only comes with the 4 X 4 unit. They have passive systems (same as a solatube or any other tubular skylight) also in different sizes and they can make them to order. But I see nothing special about their systems when you take away the tracking system and I would probably go with a different brand if it they didn't have this thing.

Shoestring: I am not sure how I am going to handle the diffusor issue. I may go with a clear acrylic lens to allow max light transmission and still keep moisture out of the light well. If I to this route, I am going to try to get the UV transmitting type (CYRO industries is one of the MAJOR plastic manufactuerers and they carry one that transmits 70% of the UV.

The problem with this approach is that the light comes out of the well in very acute angles since it is bouncing down the tube/light well. The result is that the light doesnt just shine down on the tank but some will exit the front viewing window (and all other walls also).

In other words the EDGES of the light well or tube are where the point source of light comes from and it is at some weird angles. A diffusor fixes this problem. On the otherhand the irregular beams of light are a cool feature also.

This makes for some neat effects but I am afraid it will also result in issues with focal growth of algae in areas that get hit with these stray beams of light.

Also: I spoke with the manufacturer and they are going to custom make the light wells so that the last 2 or 3 feet telescopes into itself so I can put the lens as close to the tank surface as possible and then raise it up for access when needed.

If they are going to be THIS helpful I am also going to hit them up and see if they will custom make a dome out of the UV transmitting type acrylic. The main problem I am concerned with is that the UV inhibitors help preserve the plastic and this type might degrade a lot faster.

Scuba_Dave · 08/18/2004, 07:02 PM

Herpervert, where are you located?

Herpervet · 08/18/2004, 07:59 PM

El Paso, Texas.

Herpervet · 08/18/2004, 08:01 PM

.....and although I'm sure I've been called worse (and answered to it) its HerperVET. Not HerPERVERT.

AuroraDave · 08/18/2004, 11:03 PM

I bet you're a reptile Doc, right?

Herpervet · 08/19/2004, 12:11 AM

actually its HerpERvet. Reptile vet. and Emergency room vet. So duel meaning.

I do a couple of days a week at the Zoo. Reptile medicine and surgery (and breeding etc) have been a passion for almost as long as African cichlids and marine aquaria.

I am a full time Emergency Vet also.

Scuba_Dave · 08/19/2004, 08:20 PM

I'm outside of Boston, MA. I don't think I can get away w/sunlight alone...

NeilPearson · 08/25/2004, 05:06 PM

Herpervet, that company you listed is located in Arizona and you live in Texas.

Are they coming out there to do the install? Just wondering since I noticed they weren't local to you.

But they are local to me

and I was thinking of doing something like this for my new tank.

Herpervet · 08/25/2004, 05:20 PM

Yea, they are coming out to do it. We are in El Paso so it isn't that big a deal. (only 4 1/2 hours from Tucson)

It will be a month or two before the construction starts. Let me know if you do your project before ours.

NeilPearson · 08/26/2004, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Herpervet
Yea, they are coming out to do it. We are in El Paso so it isn't that big a deal. (only 4 1/2 hours from Tucson)

It will be a month or two before the construction starts. Let me know if you do your project before ours.

Mine will probably be at least 2-3 months out. We just started looking for a new house last night

DennisRB · 08/26/2004, 04:58 PM

Sounds great herp. Can't wait to see pics when its done.

Generic · 08/28/2004, 08:56 AM

Two things:
1. Anyone thought about replacing the lower diffuser on the tube with a more focues lens? To keep the light more reef bound?

2. I remeber on Discovery several years ago a product in japan that used fiber bundles to bring sunlight down to the first store of high-rises. They used it for skin treaments and such. Probably really expensive I'm sure.

Sorry if these have been brought up, I didn't get to read the entire thread.

Murdock

Herpervet · 08/28/2004, 09:14 AM

I talked to a lighting engineer about a technology I think is called "light pipe". I think it is fiber optic light bundles that can be used with a sunlight collector. There is a parabolic dish that focuses the light and the fiberoptics transmit the light.
The technology is too expensive at this point but who knows in 5 years perhaps.

Herpervet · 08/28/2004, 09:54 AM

Here is a link that talks about various technologies regarding natural lighting.

I like the light shelf idea.

http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/Futu...ting/index.asp

Herpervet · 08/28/2004, 09:58 AM

Here is another good link.

http://www.earth-house.com/Lighting_..._lighting.html

Herpervet · 08/28/2004, 10:03 AM

Himawari looks very interesting for aquarium applications.

http://www.himawari-net.co.jp/e_page-index01.html

Generic · 08/28/2004, 10:48 AM

Yep, that last one is the one I had seen. I thnk it would work well.

Murdock

Herpervet · 08/28/2004, 11:55 AM

.....but at $3000 for the equivalent of a 75watt bulb I think we will have to wait for the American version.

Fursphere · 09/16/2004, 04:49 PM

Has anyone else tried out a light tube setup on there tanks yet?

I'm getting ready to build my inwall 325 gallon setup, and a trio of light tubes would might just be the ticket.

Anyone?

07/14/2004, 04:23 AM	#251
wazbot Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Western Australia Posts: 46	From what I've read its to hold his metal halides and actinics. He uses 4x 150W 14000k bulbs as a supplement to the solatubes. I guess this is so you can watch the tank after sundown, or if friends are coming over? __________________ Wazbot Current Tank Info: 2500L Reef

08/16/2004, 11:45 PM	#253
Herpervet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 675	Jumpstart this thread I am currently planning a 560 gallon reef 7.5' X 4' X 30in with natural lighting. The lights I chose are by natural light company out of arizona. They have a unique square (instead of tubular) light that comes in 4' X 4' square sizes. These are unique in that they have an active tracking system that uses a set of mirrors to focus light down into the light well. This is supposed to result in more intensity throughout the day. The plan is to place two of these over the tank. There will be a small overhang into the filter room. Here is a link for the manufactur:http://www.daylighting.com/active_daylighting.htm And a photo of the mirror system:http://www.daylighting.com/images/ABCO%20ROOF.htm The other cool feature is they already have T5 lighting systems to supplement. There is some shadowing concerns but apparently it isn't a big deal. I would rather have some 20K metal halides mounted inside the light well but I am going to try this first since they already have the kinks worked out. I plan on adding 58w T-5 actinics from sunlight supply to effect so that I get enough blue for my taste.

08/17/2004, 06:49 AM	#255
Shoestring Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Westerly, RI Posts: 4,989	Herpervet-will yours have a diffuser on the bottom? __________________ Mike Reefcentral Folding@Home team 37251 - Click my little red house to learn more and help medical science! Current Tank Info: 2, 20-gal low tech tanks

08/17/2004, 07:13 AM	#256
MikeG Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Lloyd Harbor, NY Posts: 641	Sorry if I missed it, but is there pricing on the units? do they only come in 4'x4' units? __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: Elos 120, Elos Planet pro leds

08/17/2004, 06:18 PM	#257
Herpervet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 675	Mike, Dennis:The installed price is $1500 but I am not sure of the breakdown (i.e. how much of the cost is a result of the tracking system) No question this is WAY more than standard tubular skylights but the tracking system may result in no need for any other supplementation other than the built in T5's. So we will be spending approximately $3500 or so on the lighting system. Now the hard part is determining the QUALITY of the light. The proof will be in the pudding(I hope). If we assume that an equivalent lighting system was 1500watts run for 12 hours a day for 365 days a year then one year of power use comes to about $657 at $.10 per KW hour. So the units pay for themselves in electricity in 5.4 years. If you factor in the cost of bulb replacement then thats another 3 to 500 plus per year. This drops the break even point to 3 years or so. Obviously this based on some major assumptions since the intensity and coverage of light remain to be seen but a Quantum (PAR) meter will be used to get some factual data and I will let you guys know. Unfortunately the tracking system only comes with the 4 X 4 unit. They have passive systems (same as a solatube or any other tubular skylight) also in different sizes and they can make them to order. But I see nothing special about their systems when you take away the tracking system and I would probably go with a different brand if it they didn't have this thing. Shoestring: I am not sure how I am going to handle the diffusor issue. I may go with a clear acrylic lens to allow max light transmission and still keep moisture out of the light well. If I to this route, I am going to try to get the UV transmitting type (CYRO industries is one of the MAJOR plastic manufactuerers and they carry one that transmits 70% of the UV. The problem with this approach is that the light comes out of the well in very acute angles since it is bouncing down the tube/light well. The result is that the light doesnt just shine down on the tank but some will exit the front viewing window (and all other walls also). In other words the EDGES of the light well or tube are where the point source of light comes from and it is at some weird angles. A diffusor fixes this problem. On the otherhand the irregular beams of light are a cool feature also. This makes for some neat effects but I am afraid it will also result in issues with focal growth of algae in areas that get hit with these stray beams of light. Also: I spoke with the manufacturer and they are going to custom make the light wells so that the last 2 or 3 feet telescopes into itself so I can put the lens as close to the tank surface as possible and then raise it up for access when needed. If they are going to be THIS helpful I am also going to hit them up and see if they will custom make a dome out of the UV transmitting type acrylic. The main problem I am concerned with is that the UV inhibitors help preserve the plastic and this type might degrade a lot faster. Last edited by Herpervet; 08/17/2004 at 06:29 PM.

07/14/2004, 08:03 AM	#252
Scuba_Dave EMERTXE YID Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Asylum, South of Boston, MA Posts: 10,362	Nice to see some pics. I'm going to be adding my 1st Solartube in my house. It's going in a 2nd floor bedroom/extra room. I'm removing 1 window (of 2) so I'm hoping the solatube will brighten up the room. Dependingh upon the results I may add 3 more when my addition is built; which will house a 180g or larger tank

08/17/2004, 12:49 AM	#254
DennisRB Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 388	That thing looks impressive. I was thinking of how a similar design could be made the other day. Is it expensive?

08/18/2004, 07:02 PM	#258
Scuba_Dave EMERTXE YID Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Asylum, South of Boston, MA Posts: 10,362	Herpervert, where are you located?

08/18/2004, 07:59 PM	#259
Herpervet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 675	El Paso, Texas.

08/18/2004, 08:01 PM	#260
Herpervet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 675	.....and although I'm sure I've been called worse (and answered to it) its HerperVET. Not HerPERVERT.

08/18/2004, 11:03 PM	#261
AuroraDave Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Chicago - NW burbs Posts: 1,270	I bet you're a reptile Doc, right?

08/19/2004, 12:11 AM	#262
Herpervet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 675	actually its HerpERvet. Reptile vet. and Emergency room vet. So duel meaning. I do a couple of days a week at the Zoo. Reptile medicine and surgery (and breeding etc) have been a passion for almost as long as African cichlids and marine aquaria. I am a full time Emergency Vet also.

08/19/2004, 08:20 PM	#263
Scuba_Dave EMERTXE YID Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Asylum, South of Boston, MA Posts: 10,362	I'm outside of Boston, MA. I don't think I can get away w/sunlight alone...

08/25/2004, 05:06 PM	#264
NeilPearson Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,509	Herpervet, that company you listed is located in Arizona and you live in Texas. Are they coming out there to do the install? Just wondering since I noticed they weren't local to you. But they are local to me and I was thinking of doing something like this for my new tank.

08/25/2004, 05:20 PM	#265
Herpervet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 675	Yea, they are coming out to do it. We are in El Paso so it isn't that big a deal. (only 4 1/2 hours from Tucson) It will be a month or two before the construction starts. Let me know if you do your project before ours.

08/26/2004, 04:58 PM	#267
DennisRB Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 388	Sounds great herp. Can't wait to see pics when its done.

08/28/2004, 08:56 AM	#268
Generic Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Broomfield, CO Posts: 587	Two things: 1. Anyone thought about replacing the lower diffuser on the tube with a more focues lens? To keep the light more reef bound? 2. I remeber on Discovery several years ago a product in japan that used fiber bundles to bring sunlight down to the first store of high-rises. They used it for skin treaments and such. Probably really expensive I'm sure. Sorry if these have been brought up, I didn't get to read the entire thread. Murdock

08/28/2004, 09:14 AM	#269
Herpervet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 675	I talked to a lighting engineer about a technology I think is called "light pipe". I think it is fiber optic light bundles that can be used with a sunlight collector. There is a parabolic dish that focuses the light and the fiberoptics transmit the light. The technology is too expensive at this point but who knows in 5 years perhaps.

08/28/2004, 09:54 AM	#270
Herpervet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 675	Here is a link that talks about various technologies regarding natural lighting. I like the light shelf idea. http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/Futu...ting/index.asp

08/28/2004, 09:58 AM	#271
Herpervet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 675	Here is another good link. http://www.earth-house.com/Lighting_..._lighting.html

08/28/2004, 10:03 AM	#272
Herpervet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 675	Himawari looks very interesting for aquarium applications. http://www.himawari-net.co.jp/e_page-index01.html

08/28/2004, 10:48 AM	#273
Generic Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Broomfield, CO Posts: 587	Yep, that last one is the one I had seen. I thnk it would work well. Murdock

08/28/2004, 11:55 AM	#274
Herpervet Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 675	.....but at $3000 for the equivalent of a 75watt bulb I think we will have to wait for the American version.

09/16/2004, 04:49 PM	#275
Fursphere Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Rancho Cordova, CA Posts: 1,299	Has anyone else tried out a light tube setup on there tanks yet? I'm getting ready to build my inwall 325 gallon setup, and a trio of light tubes would might just be the ticket. Anyone?