SolaTubes for reef tanks

[Herpervet]

Originally posted by Shoestring Reefer
Why couldn't they be closer?

The curb that fits on the roof is very large and putting them much closer would have risked them overlapping.

I think I also had some issues with rafters (I didn't want to cut any) so I was pretty much left with this spacing. Its been at least 18 months since I did this so forgive me for my foggy memory.

The ceiling rafters I did cut and used angle iron supports to prevent any problems.

Just FYI If I had to do it again I would probably bite the bullet and go with Solatube brand. They apparently have a better spectral lining (which they are very proud of $$$) that results in less loss of light per bounce.

[Herpervet]

Originally posted by delnino
Earlier in this post I plugged Natural Light tubes. I have installed 6 of them myself and am really impressed with the kit. Nothing like the HD ones and not much more $. None are over tanks but one is over a lizard cage. I see that people are often not using any diffusers. I think dust in the tubes is a huge concern and some sort of cover should be used. The silver oxide coating is extremely reflective and needs to be kept this way for maximum efficiency. Alternative Energy Store is where I got mine from, can't remember the exact URL. Am planning a tall, slender seagrass bed refugium, lit with a 13" or perhaps 18" tube.

I got mine from the Alternative Energy Store also.

http://shop.altenergystore.com/items...~0~Tp~~Bc~.htm

As a side note: I think its plausable to mount a 150 watt Par lamp in the center of the tube and have very little obstruction of the natural light yet allow supplemental 20K.

I agree with you on closing the tubes. I have been thinking about how to do this on the end of the extension tubes. Let me know if you figure out a clean way to do it.

[Herpervet]

Originally posted by Chihuahua6
Herpervet where do you live and what time of day were the photos taken? Where did you purchase the tubes? Are you going to add any supplemental lighting?
Thanks for sharing. I can't wait to get mine going. The house should be done toward the end of September. The tubes need to be ordered but I don't know which brand to go with, SunTunnel or SolaTube. One goes with the slope of the roof and one mounts straight up with a dome. The roof slopes to the South so I don't know if it's relevant which I choose. I remember the SunTube website mentioned they had some sort of intensifier to make it brighter but I can't find it on the website any longer.

I live in El Paso Tx. aka. "Sun City" for its large number of clear days.

I don't remember when I took those photo's. I will try to take an hour to hour sequence when I get the chance.

Regarding brands: I have talked to a few vendors and Solatube has the best BS.

If I were to do the tubular skylights again I would consider using them given their claims, i.e. you get more light esp. if you have a long distance to run the tube.

Another vendor to consider is called the Natural lighting company (different than Natural light) They are more into the commercial market. I used them for my 600 gallon project which is nearing completion yea right.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...16#post5264016


their site:

http://www.daylighting.com/index.html

Check out the active tracking unit. I think I posted on this way back when on this thread. I am not convinced its the way to go anymore. During this time of year the sun is nearly directly over head and for a period of the day I get direct/un-bounced light.

The mirrors get in the way however. (they actually like this feature for building light as it cuts down on intensity so its not TOO BRIGHT. (SACRILEGE!))

I might end up taking the tracking unit down for the summer months and putting it back up during the winter when the sun is lower in the south sky.

[Isayso]

this is an excellent threads..
Beatiful tanks...
how ever...........
is there any chance of direct sun for us here in Canada?
or we are not as luky as the ones down South?

[Cody Ray]

good question, that has never been a problem here in arizona!

[douglass]

Herpervet,

Any updated pictures? How are the tubes working?

[Goalie66]

Time to bump this back up and hopefully get some updates.

[JMBoehling]

No new pics but here is an update on my 90 Gallon Reef with (02) 10" Tubular Skylights.

I am learning very quickly that while Light is critically important to a Reef Tank and its inhabitants, there are other factors that can play equally important roles in the overall health and appearance of our tanks.

At this time I cannot give an overall "Thumbs Up" or "Down" to using skylights... While my initial feeling is "thumbs up". I have recently made many modifications to my reef, as as all of you know, change can have negative short term impact on the growth and appearance of SPS.

My changes are as follows:

1. Drip Kalk in Makeup water

2. Added a fan above my refugium because my water temp was consistantly hanging around 83 to 84 degrees.. Now it is 78...


3. Got rid of my Modified Seaclone Skimmer and installed a Deltec AP600... BEST $600.00 I have ever spent!

4. Dumped my DSB in my Refugium and all sand (Bare Bottom) in my display.

Enough changes... I agree, so now I am relaxing a bit, not adding or changing anything. My initial take after 1 month of being Bare Bottom is the overall health of my SPS are very good. I have good Polyp extension, and one unknown frag is really coloring up from a dark brown to a bright green coral.

The verdict is still out on natural light, now that I have my Nutrients in check, I hope to post some seriuos growth pics soon.


Later,

Jim

[Hef]

I dont think we are looking for Miracles with natural light, just something beyond survivability. So much has been written recently on the amount of light needed for corals is less than previously thought.
I'm moving very slow in my plans, but ultimately want to have 3 tubes over a 6 ft. tank, and have my halide and vho light system on a sliding rack to enhance the natural light.

More Photos sure would be nice though. Why dont you set up a Tripod and take a series of maybe 5 photos during the day to show what the light looks like. Might look cool.

[Puffers]

Wish I could put a few of thouse over my reef but I don't know if WI would get enough light.

[JMBoehling]

Here are some pics from today of my Reef.

This Picture is at 9:30 this morning with Supplemental PC's and the Sun




This is my tank at 10:30 am



My tank at Noon



Same picture with Skylights blocked



Same Pic with Skylights only.. No PC's on..



Hope this gives everyone out there an idea.. Of course, everything is brighter and more dramatic in person.

Later,

Jim

[JMBoehling]

Quick Note:

I realize I have an algae problem. Just discovered HIGH phosphates in my reef. Apparently my single stage of my DI unit doesn't take all the phophates out of my water. Put two tablespoons of Rowaphos in my Upflow unit and the Phosphates have reduced significantly in just 24 hours. Ordered another stand alone DI unit to strip my tapwater free of phosphates.

[Goalie66]

Do you have any SPS in there and if so how are they doing?

Thanks for the pics!!!!

[JMBoehling]

Got a few Monti Dig, Monti Caps, and some Misc. Frags people have given me. My SPS have had a toughtime, not because of light intensity issues but because of every other parameter being terrible recently:

Let me list some recent issues:

1. Temperature of tank was 83 to 84... Installed a fan on my fuge, now at 78

2. Nitrates were 40 to 60 ppm.. Dumped my sand bed and DSB in fuge, upgraded my Skimmer to a Deltec AP600, and substituted Chaeto for my Caulerpa and now they are at 0 ppm

3. Salinity was thought to be at 1.026.. I purchased a refractometer 2 days ago and found out my salinity was actually 6 points higher at 1.032

4. Phosphates in my tank were 1.5.. Added extra Di cartridge and ROWA to my upflow filter and got them down to less than .05.. I will add more ROWA in 1 week to get them to 0.

So back to your original question, Do you have SPS? Yes. Are they doing well? No, but think it was water quality issues. Hard to get good calcification and coloring up on SPS with High Nitrates and Phosphates at 1.5

More to come in a month or so.

[YodaHart]

Originally posted by JMBoehling
1. Temperature of tank was 83 to 84... Installed a fan on my fuge, now at 78

2. Nitrates were 40 to 60 ppm.. Dumped my sand bed and DSB in fuge, upgraded my Skimmer to a Deltec AP600, and substituted Chaeto for my Caulerpa and now they are at 0 ppm

3. Salinity was thought to be at 1.026.. I purchased a refractometer 2 days ago and found out my salinity was actually 6 points higher at 1.032

4. Phosphates in my tank were 1.5.. Added extra Di cartridge and ROWA to my upflow filter and got them down to less than .05.. I will add more ROWA in 1 week to get them to 0.

Wow! That's crazy. I hope you get everything fixed. Its good to see that you're working proactively to solve the problems. I'd hate to see you spend so much time and $ on skylights just to have a tank that crashed. The tank looks awesome with the actinics.

[JMBoehling]

I agree.. Believe it or not, my Clowns are almost 18 years old and my Naso is 7 years old. They are tough as nails. What is crazy is the only thing effected by the HORRIBLE water conditions is my SPS (Guess that is obvious..) but all other inhabitants and inverts look great, including shrooms, caps, zoos and anemone's...

Just watch, I'll get my water perfect then everything will crash....

[Chihuahua6]

Thanks for the update Jim. My SunTunnels are installed now and the hole in the wall is awaiting the tank. I had thre 13" tubes installed. The tank will be 90" X 36" so I may need supplemental lighting even in SC. I'm going to play it by ear though. I plan to keep low to moderate light corals, no sps. I'll get pics once I get the tank.

[JMBoehling]

Originally posted by Chihuahua6
Thanks for the update Jim. My SunTunnels are installed now and the hole in the wall is awaiting the tank. I had thre 13" tubes installed. The tank will be 90" X 36" so I may need supplemental lighting even in SC. I'm going to play it by ear though. I plan to keep low to moderate light corals, no sps. I'll get pics once I get the tank.

Sounds awesome.. You will love it.. My pictures really don't do the Natrual Light only sho justice, guess you will see first hand with your tank very soon.. Keep us updated with your progress..

Jim

[JMBoehling]

Originally posted by Chihuahua6
Thanks for the update Jim. My SunTunnels are installed now and the hole in the wall is awaiting the tank. I had thre 13" tubes installed. The tank will be 90" X 36" so I may need supplemental lighting even in SC. I'm going to play it by ear though. I plan to keep low to moderate light corals, no sps. I'll get pics once I get the tank.

Amanda,

Any updates?

Jim

[Jimsreef]

Is there a way to build your own sun tunnel? I am interested in using natural sunlight. My aquarium is going to be on the south side of the building and I hope I can get enough light here in KY.

[JMBoehling]

Originally posted by Jimsreef
Is there a way to build your own sun tunnel? I am interested in using natural sunlight. My aquarium is going to be on the south side of the building and I hope I can get enough light here in KY.

I have heard of people using Mirors but I can only imagine that is extremely expensive. I would just purchase the intallation kits available from Solatube or any other tubular skylight mfg'er. Just do your homework before you start cutting holes in your roof.. Study your layout of Rafters and Ceiling Joists...

Also, take a look at trees etc, and make sure there is no potential of future foliage growth blocking the skylights.. Now is the time to plan before they all drop there leaves..

I would think you would get similiar sunlight that I get in Virginia, so my guess is you are good to go...

Best of luck with your project.

Jim

[Jimsreef]

I appreaciate your response.

Do you have to purchase anything else with the solatubes?

What brand do you suggest and are the ones from homedepot ok to use?

How many and what size do you suggest for a 180 6' x 2' x 2'.

They say 2'x2' for MH's what would the coverage be for 14" NSL tubes?

Thanks Jim

[JMBoehling]

I have (02) 10" Suntek skylights (The ones from Home Dopt- I think they are under the name Gordan now..) I would think (03) 10" would work, but (03) 14"'s would be even better... Also, remember you will need room for any supplemental light (VHO, T5 or PC Actinic) just so you can enjoy your reef in the evening and to throw some Blue's into your tank, as natural Sunlight is very White...

Some others on this thread say the Solatube Mirror finish is better than others. Unfortunately I cannot comment on this since I have no experience withthe other mfg's products.

Your initial setup and installation cost will be similiar to installing (03) 250 MH's but just remember, you won't have to change bulbs every 6 to 12 months and your using no electricity (Other than some Supplemental lights should you want it.. Plus, you get the perfect spectrum of light for your reef

Later,

Jim

[Jimsreef]

Do you use the dome cover that came with the light? What about the UV rating? Do you have a cover on the bottom?

Thanks Jim

[Herpervet]

Originally posted by JMBoehling
I have (02) 10" Suntek skylights (The ones from Home Dopt- I think they are under the name Gordan now..) I would think (03) 10" would work, but (03) 14"'s would be even better... Also, remember you will need room for any supplemental light (VHO, T5 or PC Actinic) just so you can enjoy your reef in the evening and to throw some Blue's into your tank, as natural Sunlight is very White...

Some others on this thread say the Solatube Mirror finish is better than others. Unfortunately I cannot comment on this since I have no experience withthe other mfg's products.

Your initial setup and installation cost will be similiar to installing (03) 250 MH's but just remember, you won't have to change bulbs every 6 to 12 months and your using no electricity (Other than some Supplemental lights should you want it.. Plus, you get the perfect spectrum of light for your reef

Later,

Jim

Actually, not to be argumentative, but I thought the same thing regarding the perfect specturm etc. but after talking extensively with a lighting engineer among others I found out its probably not the case. I think Anthony Calfo pointed some of this out.

Anyway, According to at least a couple ofsources there is a very big difference in color (i.e. spectrum) of light at different locations.

Example: Sea level with low ambient humidity produces light that is shifted toward the yellow/orange spectrum compared to sea level around the ocean where the ambient humidity is almost always very high.

The water in the atmosphere shifts the light toward the higher Kelvin ratings. So the color spectrum of light reaching even 12" of depth is much more "Blue" than lighting at 12 inches depth in a vessel of water in the desert for example (i.e. where I live)

Does it make a huge difference is the question? I don't know. But intuitively I would think for some creatures yes and some no.

My own tank seems to be functioning reasonably but the jury is still out.

I do know that the appearance is nicer with a color filter over the skylights.