SolaTubes for reef tanks - Page 19

YodaHart · 04/18/2005, 10:07 AM

Did you notice an overall change in the color of the light too, or just the corals?

JMBoehling · 04/18/2005, 10:24 AM

Light is more dramatic looking, similiar to snorkeling or scuba diving.. As for the color of my corals, I would say color is similiar to the artificial, but the Polyp Extension of my Shrooms, Ricordea, and SPS's is much better with the Natural Light...

Also, it doesn't cost me a dime to run, and the Heat Transfer appears to be much, much less than artificial sources...

YodaHart · 04/18/2005, 10:36 AM

Cool, you can email me your pics and I'll have them up tonight.

yodahart@hotmail.com

mborn · 04/18/2005, 04:22 PM

Hef, the tubes come in two pieces. A top piece that goes inside the flashing that the exterior dome fits on and that the bottom half goes through the hole in the roof and sticks out of the hole in the ceiling. The second piece fits inside the first and has the diffuser attachment at the end. The second tube piece can be moved up and down inside the first tube to adjust length and angle. When the second tube is extended all the way both tubes together are 2 feet. If you want it shorter just push the second tube up inside the first, like a telescope, to whatever length you want. You should be able to adjust them high enough up to slide a light rack in place. The tubes you see in my pictures are the second piece and the upper part is inside the tube that is going through the roof.

I don't see light with an orange tint to it. To my eyes the light looks the same color, it's just either dim or bright depending on the time of day.

Herpervet, no I don't have lenses at the ends of the tubes and I have also observed some condensation on the inside of the dome. Like JMB I've noticed it burns off about mid morning unless the humidity is really high like on a rainy day.

reefdna · 05/05/2005, 07:59 PM

With all the replies I am joining this thread kinda late. I need some help before I blow some dough. I also live in Arizona out in Litchfield park and am putting in a 60" x 30" x 24" starphire glass tank with euro bracing. I am also installing sola tubes for light.

My question is this, with a 30" deep tank and roofing constraints that will only allow one 14" tube or two 10" tubes, How will this work and which scenario would you go with? I am excited about this project and the idea of using NSL instead MH's is really appealing.

I also want to know what you replaced the UV filter cover with?

Let me know what you think. My biggest problem is the company I have looking at installin them is at a loss when I tell them it is for a Tank. I think they think I am growing Pot instead. Thanks for the help.

Ed C

JMBoehling · 05/06/2005, 07:22 AM

reefdna,

You are making a great decision to install SolaTubes.. I recommend the (02) 10" vs. 01 (14")... You will get better coverage on your tank with the (02)..

As far as the UV Filter... I installed the Suntek 10" Suntunnel from Home Depot... www.odl.com

The only thing I didn't install is the light diffuser at the tank end... My corals seem to be doing great with this setup..

Funny you mention the pot thing.. My neighbor asked me about the blue glow on my roof the other day, I explained it is a skylight for my Reef Tank (Not to be confused with Reefer Tank..)... She laughed and stated she wondered what that was all about...

Good luck with your project...

Hef · 05/06/2005, 08:51 AM

So how much are the SunTek's at Home Depot? Didnt know they sold those. Never thought about the Blue Glow, do you actually see blue come up out of the Tube? Reflection of the water? I wouldnt think you would see that.
I hoping to go for (3) 14" over a 7 ft. Tank. How is the spread on the lights after it leaves the Tube?

Hef

JMBoehling · 05/06/2005, 09:19 AM

Actually the blue glow comes from my moonlights that reflects back up the tube...

Another note: I do supplement my tank with Coralife PC lights.. I like the Actinic light when combined with the natural sunlight...

Chihuahua6 · 05/08/2005, 06:26 PM

I'm having a house built as we speak and luckily my builder is familiar with Solatubes. I definitely want to use them. I live in coastal South Carolina now all the way South so the sun is strong. My question is concerning the bracing on an acrylic tank. Can the tubes go above the bracing or would it be better to have them go over the water surface only?

Amanda

gatohoser · 05/08/2005, 07:20 PM

Well it would be better to have it over water I'd think right guys? I'm sure the acrylic soaks up some light. I don't know what you're thinking of though. If you are going to put 2 14" tubes around the brace or 3 14" tubes if you put one over the brace I'd think then you might as well put one over the brace.

JMBoehling · 05/09/2005, 04:51 AM

Over ther water surface... I messed up my install originally and brought (01) 10" tube right down the middle, forgetting about the center spline on my 90 AGA.. What a bummer that was... I havew since offset it a bit...

Mine comes down to approx 5 inches of the water surface without the light diffuser..

Good luck with your project... Remember the critical part of this is positioning your Tubes on the roof of your home where it will get the most sunlight from sunrise to sunset, so plannning is very critical to the success of these things...

mborn · 05/09/2005, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Remember the critical part of this is positioning your Tubes on the roof of your home where it will get the most sunlight from sunrise to sunset, so plannning is very critical to the success of these things...

I couldn't agree more.

Nathan · 05/09/2005, 02:08 PM

mborn,

If you put your hand under the light, can you feel heat, or is this cool lighting? My 400W MH kick out a TON of heat.

-Nathan

mborn · 05/09/2005, 02:32 PM

I feel a slight warmth. Not hot at all like a MH. My chiller comes on very little compared to when I had MH.

Nathan · 05/09/2005, 02:41 PM

...interesting...

Chihuahua6 · 05/09/2005, 04:46 PM

The roofline faces South!!!! I thiught it was East until I checked my blueprints. This is going to be awesome. I think I'm more excited about the new tank than the new house lol!

Amanda

JMBoehling · 05/09/2005, 06:15 PM

Make sure you have plenty of room for a comfortable chair in front of that tank

You know for rocking those babies to sleep!

Can't wait to see your progress pic's...

Aquaman · 05/13/2005, 10:49 AM

Good lord this post is still active? Im getting old.

Nathan · 05/26/2005, 07:40 AM

Any new pics?

JMBoehling · 05/26/2005, 07:53 AM

Here is an updated picture.. Have recently experienced some RTN'n on my new Acro frags due to a faulty heater setting.. (I've been cooking my tank at 85 degrees..) Since adjusting everyone appears to be happy, just hope I've stopped the bleeding (RTN'n)

I also plan to take new pics since I just added another 10" Solatube on my tank, so now it's two over my 90..

Nathan · 05/26/2005, 10:01 AM

RTN is a Killer! Make sure to frag any surviving branches and glue them on some rubble rock AWAY from any occuring RTN. I lost a huge acro once and I never fragged it and it all died.

-Nathan

JMBoehling · 05/26/2005, 10:09 AM

Updated Shots 5/26/05

Twin Tubes.. (Just installed the second one to get better coverage on my 90)

This Photo is all telling.. No Flash here!

Full Tank Shot

corro · 05/26/2005, 10:17 AM

Thanks for the updated pics!

does anyone have PAR readings for a solatube tank?

Ehydo · 05/26/2005, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by corro
Thanks for the updated pics!

does anyone have PAR readings for a solatube tank?

Are you talking about Photosynthetically Active Radiation or PAR Watts? The Photosynthetically Active Radiation would be in the same range as natural sunlight. PAR Watts do not apply because it is not electrically powered.

Nathan · 05/26/2005, 12:01 PM

Your setup really kicks butt! Think how much electricity you will SAVE (on lights and air conditioning)! Your wife must LOVE you for it, despite the funky holes in your roof!

Your set up ROCKS!

-Nathan

04/18/2005, 10:24 AM	#452
JMBoehling Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 2,353	Light is more dramatic looking, similiar to snorkeling or scuba diving.. As for the color of my corals, I would say color is similiar to the artificial, but the Polyp Extension of my Shrooms, Ricordea, and SPS's is much better with the Natural Light... Also, it doesn't cost me a dime to run, and the Heat Transfer appears to be much, much less than artificial sources... __________________ Richmond Reef Club Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon AGA, Bare Bottom, (02) 10" Skylights, 216 Watts T5HO, (04) 4 watt cree LED's, Deltec AP600 Skimmer

05/08/2005, 06:26 PM	#459
Chihuahua6 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Hempstead, NY Posts: 2,124	I'm having a house built as we speak and luckily my builder is familiar with Solatubes. I definitely want to use them. I live in coastal South Carolina now all the way South so the sun is strong. My question is concerning the bracing on an acrylic tank. Can the tubes go above the bracing or would it be better to have them go over the water surface only? Amanda __________________ Leah Amanda Current Tank Info: First salt tank 1985, current tank 150 g acrylic

05/09/2005, 04:51 AM	#461
JMBoehling Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 2,353	Over ther water surface... I messed up my install originally and brought (01) 10" tube right down the middle, forgetting about the center spline on my 90 AGA.. What a bummer that was... I havew since offset it a bit... Mine comes down to approx 5 inches of the water surface without the light diffuser.. Good luck with your project... Remember the critical part of this is positioning your Tubes on the roof of your home where it will get the most sunlight from sunrise to sunset, so plannning is very critical to the success of these things... __________________ Richmond Reef Club Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon AGA, Bare Bottom, (02) 10" Skylights, 216 Watts T5HO, (04) 4 watt cree LED's, Deltec AP600 Skimmer

05/09/2005, 04:46 PM	#466
Chihuahua6 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Hempstead, NY Posts: 2,124	The roofline faces South!!!! I thiught it was East until I checked my blueprints. This is going to be awesome. I think I'm more excited about the new tank than the new house lol! Amanda __________________ Leah Amanda Current Tank Info: First salt tank 1985, current tank 150 g acrylic

05/09/2005, 06:15 PM	#467
JMBoehling Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 2,353	Make sure you have plenty of room for a comfortable chair in front of that tank You know for rocking those babies to sleep! Can't wait to see your progress pic's... __________________ Richmond Reef Club Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon AGA, Bare Bottom, (02) 10" Skylights, 216 Watts T5HO, (04) 4 watt cree LED's, Deltec AP600 Skimmer

04/18/2005, 10:07 AM	#451
YodaHart Moved On Join Date: May 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 727	Did you notice an overall change in the color of the light too, or just the corals?

04/18/2005, 10:36 AM	#453
YodaHart Moved On Join Date: May 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 727	Cool, you can email me your pics and I'll have them up tonight. yodahart@hotmail.com

04/18/2005, 04:22 PM	#454
mborn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 346	Hef, the tubes come in two pieces. A top piece that goes inside the flashing that the exterior dome fits on and that the bottom half goes through the hole in the roof and sticks out of the hole in the ceiling. The second piece fits inside the first and has the diffuser attachment at the end. The second tube piece can be moved up and down inside the first tube to adjust length and angle. When the second tube is extended all the way both tubes together are 2 feet. If you want it shorter just push the second tube up inside the first, like a telescope, to whatever length you want. You should be able to adjust them high enough up to slide a light rack in place. The tubes you see in my pictures are the second piece and the upper part is inside the tube that is going through the roof. I don't see light with an orange tint to it. To my eyes the light looks the same color, it's just either dim or bright depending on the time of day. Herpervet, no I don't have lenses at the ends of the tubes and I have also observed some condensation on the inside of the dome. Like JMB I've noticed it burns off about mid morning unless the humidity is really high like on a rainy day.

05/05/2005, 07:59 PM	#455
reefdna Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 1,156	With all the replies I am joining this thread kinda late. I need some help before I blow some dough. I also live in Arizona out in Litchfield park and am putting in a 60" x 30" x 24" starphire glass tank with euro bracing. I am also installing sola tubes for light. My question is this, with a 30" deep tank and roofing constraints that will only allow one 14" tube or two 10" tubes, How will this work and which scenario would you go with? I am excited about this project and the idea of using NSL instead MH's is really appealing. I also want to know what you replaced the UV filter cover with? Let me know what you think. My biggest problem is the company I have looking at installin them is at a loss when I tell them it is for a Tank. I think they think I am growing Pot instead. Thanks for the help. Ed C

05/06/2005, 07:22 AM	#456
JMBoehling Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 2,353	reefdna, You are making a great decision to install SolaTubes.. I recommend the (02) 10" vs. 01 (14")... You will get better coverage on your tank with the (02).. As far as the UV Filter... I installed the Suntek 10" Suntunnel from Home Depot... www.odl.com The only thing I didn't install is the light diffuser at the tank end... My corals seem to be doing great with this setup.. Funny you mention the pot thing.. My neighbor asked me about the blue glow on my roof the other day, I explained it is a skylight for my Reef Tank (Not to be confused with Reefer Tank..)... She laughed and stated she wondered what that was all about... Good luck with your project...

05/06/2005, 08:51 AM	#457
Hef Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Fair Haven NJ Posts: 2,291	So how much are the SunTek's at Home Depot? Didnt know they sold those. Never thought about the Blue Glow, do you actually see blue come up out of the Tube? Reflection of the water? I wouldnt think you would see that. I hoping to go for (3) 14" over a 7 ft. Tank. How is the spread on the lights after it leaves the Tube? Hef

05/06/2005, 09:19 AM	#458
JMBoehling Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 2,353	Actually the blue glow comes from my moonlights that reflects back up the tube... Another note: I do supplement my tank with Coralife PC lights.. I like the Actinic light when combined with the natural sunlight...

05/08/2005, 07:20 PM	#460
gatohoser Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 1,490	Well it would be better to have it over water I'd think right guys? I'm sure the acrylic soaks up some light. I don't know what you're thinking of though. If you are going to put 2 14" tubes around the brace or 3 14" tubes if you put one over the brace I'd think then you might as well put one over the brace.

05/09/2005, 02:08 PM	#463
Nathan Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Newtown, Pa., USA Posts: 1,454	mborn, If you put your hand under the light, can you feel heat, or is this cool lighting? My 400W MH kick out a TON of heat. -Nathan

05/09/2005, 02:32 PM	#464
mborn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 346	I feel a slight warmth. Not hot at all like a MH. My chiller comes on very little compared to when I had MH.

05/09/2005, 02:41 PM	#465
Nathan Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Newtown, Pa., USA Posts: 1,454	...interesting...

05/13/2005, 10:49 AM	#468
Aquaman Fishinchick's better half Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: St Cloud, FL USA Posts: 2,278	Good lord this post is still active? Im getting old. __________________ Tang Police most wanted Outlaw. ORCA Founder Previous tanks, 125,120, 55,37,20, 15, 10, 5 Current Tank Info: 65 reef

05/26/2005, 07:40 AM	#469
Nathan Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Newtown, Pa., USA Posts: 1,454	Any new pics?

05/26/2005, 07:53 AM	#470
JMBoehling Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 2,353	Here is an updated picture.. Have recently experienced some RTN'n on my new Acro frags due to a faulty heater setting.. (I've been cooking my tank at 85 degrees..) Since adjusting everyone appears to be happy, just hope I've stopped the bleeding (RTN'n) I also plan to take new pics since I just added another 10" Solatube on my tank, so now it's two over my 90..

05/26/2005, 10:01 AM	#471
Nathan Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Newtown, Pa., USA Posts: 1,454	RTN is a Killer! Make sure to frag any surviving branches and glue them on some rubble rock AWAY from any occuring RTN. I lost a huge acro once and I never fragged it and it all died. -Nathan

05/26/2005, 10:09 AM	#472
JMBoehling Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 2,353	Updated Shots 5/26/05 Twin Tubes.. (Just installed the second one to get better coverage on my 90) This Photo is all telling.. No Flash here! Full Tank Shot

05/26/2005, 10:17 AM	#473
corro Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: utah Posts: 1,050	Thanks for the updated pics! does anyone have PAR readings for a solatube tank? __________________ You want a toe? I can get you a toe, believe me. There are ways, Dude. --Walter Sobchak Current Tank Info: 120 mixed 3x250w 20K ROIII --- 60 cube / 24" 250w Maristar .. 24" T5 TekLight .. 10 g cube / 150w 20k ROIII

05/26/2005, 12:01 PM	#475
Nathan Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Newtown, Pa., USA Posts: 1,454	Your setup really kicks butt! Think how much electricity you will SAVE (on lights and air conditioning)! Your wife must LOVE you for it, despite the funky holes in your roof! Your set up ROCKS! -Nathan