SolaTubes for reef tanks - Page 36

BenjieC · 12/03/2006, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by staticx
Funny thread the guy that started it works for solar tube hes a sales rep. Nice way to market your product though.

How do you know that?

JMBoehling · 12/03/2006, 07:33 AM

If they really want to market there product they should create a dome Reef specific, that doesn't block the UVA and B's our SPS and organisms receive on the Reef.

You will find most of us using Tubular Skylights are using other brands than just SolarTubes... I'm using the Home Depot knock off brand.

reefdna · 12/03/2006, 09:29 AM

"Funny thread the guy that started it works for solar tube hes a sales rep. Nice way to market your product though."

Funny website the people that started it sell and trade their own corals. What a way to market their product. [said sarcastically]

WHAT?!!! I mean seriously even if he was or is a sales rep for solatube, if he has a product that can save me money on my electric bill and give me the right light output and he wants to start a thread to see if there is any interest, then I encourage him to do so. Truth be told if you read through the posts most people who have experimented with this have not been buying from him personally. Why would you want to interrupt an informative thread with retoric like that?

WDLV · 12/03/2006, 04:09 PM

I started typing that same thought this morning, but figured it might just be me. I'm glad someone else said it. It's kinda like driving a stick shift.... Be sure the brain is engaged before putting the mouth into gear.

BenjieC · 12/03/2006, 06:58 PM

This staticx guy is a person who had boards cut at a home depot and then had the audacity to complain enough to the store manager to return them. He is stupid enough to post said story in the DIY forum and totally get flamed for it for obvious reasons. So, I think he just likes p*ssing people off. I'm not sure I'd believe him he told me the sky was blue. LOL!

Rod the Roofer · 12/04/2006, 12:22 AM

Hey staticx,

FYI my tubes are "Skydome" brand. IMO better than "Solatube".

Rod.

staticx · 12/04/2006, 03:01 AM

Great, sound like they work really good. I just thought it was funny that a guy who is a sales rep for solar tubes started this thread and then left.

jrandreassen · 12/13/2006, 12:02 AM

Hi...
I find this thread perticularly intresting.
I've been thinking about putting in some Tubes over my tank and was wondering wether it would work.
The tank is 60"x36"x30" (36 deep), it situated perpendicular to the wall, and is under a vaulted cealing. The surface is about 60" from the ceiling.
Opinions would be appriciated.
JR
I was thinking about putting in a couple of 21" tubes that would have about 6' run. Then I'd supplement with attinics or perhaps later LED's when they become available in the proper configuration.

hahnmeister · 12/13/2006, 02:41 AM

It should work fine... 60" from the ceiling isnt that bad even. Then suppliment with blue+ T5s rather than actinics... they do a much better job.

jrandreassen · 12/13/2006, 09:10 AM

Hi...
Ahhh yes...
That was what I was thinking, just came out wrong....

Any pros/cons to the different brands designs ??
Appriciate the input..
JR

hahnmeister · 12/13/2006, 11:08 AM

Dont get me wrong... there are better ones and worse ones, but for the most part, every one is very similar, and the end result, even with a small 14" diameter tube, is a light output that rivals 400watt halides. Due to your 5' height, the larger diameter tubes might be more of a bonus, but considering you are in Austin Texas, I wouldnt worry too much. You will prolly have a light output of a 1000watter in summer with those things. I would think that maybe only 2 tubes would be enough, but perhaps 3 is a good idea just to spread out the light more.

jrandreassen · 12/13/2006, 11:18 AM

Cool...
I don't think I can do more than 2x21" given the location and the clearance in the attic, besides the battle with the "better-half".
I tried a new approach with her though...
The "What do you think about addiding some skylights ?"
And
"How do we make it fit in with the look of the livin room?"
Maybe I'll have more success with that one

My main goal in this is to reduce the $200/month increase in the utility bill. I'm hoping that taking out the 2x250W MH's will do the trick.

Now, anyone want to by some nice new Gisemann pendants ??
JR

brent waldron · 12/13/2006, 11:13 PM

jr, I am currently cutting holes to place 3 14" tubes above a 500 gallon ( 36" deep) tank. I am planning on modifying the dome in order to remove the uv filtered dome as well as leaving the bottom open after removing the other uv filter. Am planning on putting 320 watts blue
t 5s to supplement ( may need more later....we'll see)

brent

jrandreassen · 12/13/2006, 11:47 PM

Cool...
Let me know how it turn out.
I was talking to the SunPipe guy today. He indicated I need a difuser. How do you guy's think that will affect the growth.
(I can't bring the pipes all the way down[Vaulted celing 60"clearance], and the light will wander too much to be effective).
Anyways, in Austin, TX we get plenty of Sun so I think 2x 21" should do the trick ??
JR

hahnmeister · 12/14/2006, 02:17 AM

Does he really know what you are doing with it? I would not consider a diffuser to be a good idea FWIW... they 'defocus' the light, or scatter it... and what you really want is more of a spotlight. A lens would be a better idea, or none at all.

wazbot · 12/14/2006, 05:56 AM

No diffuser,

I can't remember if I put this one up...

its been a while since this photo...I'll put up another soon.

brent waldron · 12/14/2006, 07:21 AM

jr, did I miss how far above the water your planning on putting these?? ( You mentioned you have 60" total clearance.....right)

salty joe · 12/14/2006, 07:55 AM

Brent, is your tank 36" deep front to back or 36" deep top to bottom?

jrandreassen · 12/14/2006, 08:39 AM

The Tank is 36" deep, the ceiling is vaulted and is 60" above the surface.
My problem is that the wife won't let me mess with the symetry of the room and bring a box/hood down.
JR

jrandreassen · 12/14/2006, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hahnmeister
Does he really know what you are doing with it? I would not consider a diffuser to be a good idea FWIW... they 'defocus' the light, or scatter it... and what you really want is more of a spotlight. A lens would be a better idea, or none at all.

I did tell him that it was for an aquarium.
He said that if I didn't put a difuser on the light would wander arround the room. The light would exit at the same angle as it entered.
I asked him about a foocusing lens, but they don't have it.
Do any of you know ??
JR

brent waldron · 12/14/2006, 11:52 PM

salty joe, the tank is 36 " deep from top to bottom... JR,,, I don't have an answer for you.. but it seems like as hahnmeister mentioned you would need to somehow concentrate your beam ( not diffuse ) if the end of your tube is 60 in above the water surface. Maybe you have some different options with other tubes???? not much help sorry!!!!

hahnmeister · 12/15/2006, 12:59 AM

Just do it like wazbot did, even if your ceilings are a good 6' taller you should still get a similar result, esp with 22" cylinders.... you are in Austin, TX after all.... you might end up putting blue filters over parts of the tubes anyways...lol.

wazbot · 12/15/2006, 06:28 AM

i have been told it looks very 'architectural'...go figure

jrandreassen · 12/15/2006, 09:06 AM

Ahhh yes...
I'll have to work the "architectural" angle with the better half.
We'll see how it goes.
Thanks for the input...
JR

hahnmeister · 12/16/2006, 12:36 AM

Hey, just say its very 'green'... that get my woman every time.

12/03/2006, 07:33 AM	#877
JMBoehling Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 2,353	If they really want to market there product they should create a dome Reef specific, that doesn't block the UVA and B's our SPS and organisms receive on the Reef. You will find most of us using Tubular Skylights are using other brands than just SolarTubes... I'm using the Home Depot knock off brand. __________________ 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

12/03/2006, 09:29 AM	#878
reefdna Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 1,156	"Funny thread the guy that started it works for solar tube hes a sales rep. Nice way to market your product though." Funny website the people that started it sell and trade their own corals. What a way to market their product. [said sarcastically] WHAT?!!! I mean seriously even if he was or is a sales rep for solatube, if he has a product that can save me money on my electric bill and give me the right light output and he wants to start a thread to see if there is any interest, then I encourage him to do so. Truth be told if you read through the posts most people who have experimented with this have not been buying from him personally. Why would you want to interrupt an informative thread with retoric like that? __________________ The true measure of strength is not how many trials you have faced..... but rather how you face each trial. Current Tank Info: 250 Acrylic mixed reef w/3 400W MH in mini Lumenarc's, 1/3 HP chiller 80 gal sump

12/03/2006, 04:09 PM	#879
WDLV Skunk Hybrid Freak Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Pasadena, MD. USA Posts: 3,003	I started typing that same thought this morning, but figured it might just be me. I'm glad someone else said it. It's kinda like driving a stick shift.... Be sure the brain is engaged before putting the mouth into gear. __________________ - Walter D. LaRoque V "The tanks go or I go." - Ex Wife

12/03/2006, 06:58 PM	#880
BenjieC Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Poplar Grove, IL Posts: 2,002	This staticx guy is a person who had boards cut at a home depot and then had the audacity to complain enough to the store manager to return them. He is stupid enough to post said story in the DIY forum and totally get flamed for it for obvious reasons. So, I think he just likes p*ssing people off. I'm not sure I'd believe him he told me the sky was blue. LOL! __________________ Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely!!! Nothing Is Impossible To The Person Who Doesn't Have To Do It Themselves. Current Tank Info: 8g Nano more once moved

12/04/2006, 12:22 AM	#881
Rod the Roofer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 53	Hey staticx, FYI my tubes are "Skydome" brand. IMO better than "Solatube". Rod. __________________ Acromaniac

12/04/2006, 03:01 AM	#882
staticx Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: oregon Posts: 825	Great, sound like they work really good. I just thought it was funny that a guy who is a sales rep for solar tubes started this thread and then left.

12/13/2006, 12:02 AM	#883
jrandreassen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 57	Hi... I find this thread perticularly intresting. I've been thinking about putting in some Tubes over my tank and was wondering wether it would work. The tank is 60"x36"x30" (36 deep), it situated perpendicular to the wall, and is under a vaulted cealing. The surface is about 60" from the ceiling. Opinions would be appriciated. JR I was thinking about putting in a couple of 21" tubes that would have about 6' run. Then I'd supplement with attinics or perhaps later LED's when they become available in the proper configuration.

12/13/2006, 02:41 AM	#884
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	It should work fine... 60" from the ceiling isnt that bad even. Then suppliment with blue+ T5s rather than actinics... they do a much better job.

12/13/2006, 09:10 AM	#885
jrandreassen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 57	Hi... Ahhh yes... That was what I was thinking, just came out wrong.... Any pros/cons to the different brands designs ?? Appriciate the input.. JR

12/13/2006, 11:08 AM	#886
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Dont get me wrong... there are better ones and worse ones, but for the most part, every one is very similar, and the end result, even with a small 14" diameter tube, is a light output that rivals 400watt halides. Due to your 5' height, the larger diameter tubes might be more of a bonus, but considering you are in Austin Texas, I wouldnt worry too much. You will prolly have a light output of a 1000watter in summer with those things. I would think that maybe only 2 tubes would be enough, but perhaps 3 is a good idea just to spread out the light more.

12/13/2006, 11:18 AM	#887
jrandreassen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 57	Cool... I don't think I can do more than 2x21" given the location and the clearance in the attic, besides the battle with the "better-half". I tried a new approach with her though... The "What do you think about addiding some skylights ?" And "How do we make it fit in with the look of the livin room?" Maybe I'll have more success with that one My main goal in this is to reduce the $200/month increase in the utility bill. I'm hoping that taking out the 2x250W MH's will do the trick. Now, anyone want to by some nice new Gisemann pendants ?? JR

12/13/2006, 11:13 PM	#888
brent waldron Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 28	jr, I am currently cutting holes to place 3 14" tubes above a 500 gallon ( 36" deep) tank. I am planning on modifying the dome in order to remove the uv filtered dome as well as leaving the bottom open after removing the other uv filter. Am planning on putting 320 watts blue t 5s to supplement ( may need more later....we'll see) brent

12/13/2006, 11:47 PM	#889
jrandreassen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 57	Cool... Let me know how it turn out. I was talking to the SunPipe guy today. He indicated I need a difuser. How do you guy's think that will affect the growth. (I can't bring the pipes all the way down[Vaulted celing 60"clearance], and the light will wander too much to be effective). Anyways, in Austin, TX we get plenty of Sun so I think 2x 21" should do the trick ?? JR

12/14/2006, 02:17 AM	#890
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Does he really know what you are doing with it? I would not consider a diffuser to be a good idea FWIW... they 'defocus' the light, or scatter it... and what you really want is more of a spotlight. A lens would be a better idea, or none at all.

12/14/2006, 05:56 AM	#891
wazbot Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Western Australia Posts: 46	No diffuser, I can't remember if I put this one up... its been a while since this photo...I'll put up another soon. __________________ Wazbot Current Tank Info: 2500L Reef

12/14/2006, 07:21 AM	#892
brent waldron Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 28	jr, did I miss how far above the water your planning on putting these?? ( You mentioned you have 60" total clearance.....right)

12/14/2006, 07:55 AM	#893
salty joe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: medina, ohio Posts: 2,419	Brent, is your tank 36" deep front to back or 36" deep top to bottom? __________________ Time to roll the dice.

12/14/2006, 08:39 AM	#894
jrandreassen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 57	The Tank is 36" deep, the ceiling is vaulted and is 60" above the surface. My problem is that the wife won't let me mess with the symetry of the room and bring a box/hood down. JR

12/14/2006, 11:52 PM	#896
brent waldron Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 28	salty joe, the tank is 36 " deep from top to bottom... JR,,, I don't have an answer for you.. but it seems like as hahnmeister mentioned you would need to somehow concentrate your beam ( not diffuse ) if the end of your tube is 60 in above the water surface. Maybe you have some different options with other tubes???? not much help sorry!!!!

12/15/2006, 12:59 AM	#897
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Just do it like wazbot did, even if your ceilings are a good 6' taller you should still get a similar result, esp with 22" cylinders.... you are in Austin, TX after all.... you might end up putting blue filters over parts of the tubes anyways...lol.

12/15/2006, 06:28 AM	#898
wazbot Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Western Australia Posts: 46	i have been told it looks very 'architectural'...go figure __________________ Wazbot Current Tank Info: 2500L Reef

12/15/2006, 09:06 AM	#899
jrandreassen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 57	Ahhh yes... I'll have to work the "architectural" angle with the better half. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for the input... JR

12/16/2006, 12:36 AM	#900
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Hey, just say its very 'green'... that get my woman every time.