Rod's Gyre flow, Natural light, SPS dominated Reef - Page 6

Rod the Reefer · 02/25/2009, 02:15 AM

Ok, being a roof plumber I just happened to have a few skylights laying around.

I joined two 2' x 2'8" skylight frames together as I needed a long rectangle to suit the tank. Living in a high bush fire danger area I couldnâ€™t use the Solatube domes (Plus I didnâ€™t think Iâ€™d get enough light through them) so I discarded them and after much research ordered a sheet of 1/2" clear laminated glass to go on top.
Fortunately the roof faces north so it picks up max sun. (I'm in Aus remember)

I liked the idea of Solatube style tubes to bring the directed light right down to the tank and thought that three tubes alternating with the pendants would be good.
As you know my ceiling is raked so I had the added hassle of different length tubes.

Another problem was that the Solatube tubes only come in 16" and 24" lengths that you stick together with tape, which I thought was going to look pretty ordinary inside the room.
The way I got around that was to give them a twin skin of HIP â€“ high impact polystyrene.

Here are some pics of the install;

Here's a pic of my old tank when I first installed the skylight and Solatubes.

On my new tank the tubes have been shortened by about 2'.

Rod.

K' Family Reef · 02/26/2009, 04:51 PM

thanks for posting the install pics Rod.

regards

Rod the Reefer · 02/26/2009, 04:54 PM

And a shot of the new tank with the Sola tubes;

Rod.

jrreese · 02/26/2009, 06:04 PM

Your tank is just beautiful, love the solar tubes. Inspiring. jr

Jhardain · 02/26/2009, 08:43 PM

Looking great, very nice/clean install!

NanoReefWanabe · 02/27/2009, 05:39 PM

i think that is one of the most awesome tanks i have seen pop up in a while....

the only beef i would have is that you can see the water line in the display tank...but it almost adds the shallow reef look to it...

very good job, kudos on the solar tubs too...even though i am way up here Canada i would still like to put a sky light in my igloo and brighten up my tank...

Rod the Reefer · 02/28/2009, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jrreese
Your tank is just beautiful, love the solar tubes. Inspiring. jr

Thanks. I hope many people are inspired to install natural light methods. IMO it's 100% better!!

Quote:

Originally posted by Jhardain
Looking great, very nice/clean install!

I do like to get things right when I do something!!

Who mentioned excessive compulsive???

Quote:

Originally posted by NanoReefWanabe
i think that is one of the most awesome tanks i have seen pop up in a while....

the only beef i would have is that you can see the water line in the display tank...but it almost adds the shallow reef look to it...

very good job, kudos on the solar tubs too...even though i am way up here Canada i would still like to put a sky light in my igloo and brighten up my tank...

Thanks.

I really wanted to see the water line to show just how much flow there is in there! People are always surprised at the "waves".

Go for it with the Solar Tubes, you get sun don't you??

Rod.

Hampton · 03/01/2009, 08:32 AM

How much can one expect to pay for a similar set up if you cut your own holes in your roof and ceiling?

Rod the Reefer · 03/02/2009, 12:26 AM

Hi Hampton,

Hey, I'm probably not the person to ask. I did the entire install on mine from stuff I had on hand.

I'm guessing that the costs would be different there in the US as to here in Aus.

Just call a couple of skylight places and I'm sure they would quote you.

Rod.

Rod the Reefer · 03/03/2009, 12:05 AM

Thought it was about time to share a few coral shots;

Rod.

ninja750 · 03/03/2009, 02:55 AM

Noice.....

ghengis · 03/03/2009, 03:17 AM

Long time lurker, first time poster.... And what a fantastic Thread to make my debut on!

Definitely one of the most innovative tanks I have seen over the last six months. That solar tube concept is so simplistically brilliant as to render one gobsmacked... Great idea!

FUA · 03/03/2009, 05:54 AM

subscribed.....awsome tank too by the way

Rod the Reefer · 03/10/2009, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ninja750
Noice.....

Quote:

Originally posted by DontGotReef
Long time lurker, first time poster.... And what a fantastic Thread to make my debut on!

Definitely one of the most innovative tanks I have seen over the last six months. That solar tube concept is so simplistically brilliant as to render one gobsmacked... Great idea!

Quote:

Originally posted by FUA
subscribed.....awsome tank too by the way

Thanks guys. Go the Aussie tanks.

Rod.

Rod the Reefer · 03/17/2009, 02:06 AM

Ok, here we have a shot from late Nov '08 when I first changed over top the new tank;

And early March '09 showing growth;

Rod.

seriousreefer · 03/17/2009, 04:05 AM

Tank looking awesome

jrreese · 03/17/2009, 09:23 AM

Looks to me that your flow concept is really working out great. Thanks for the Pic update ... great growth ... great tank!

majesticangelfish · 03/18/2009, 07:43 AM

Looking great as always mate! Thanks again for the frags today!! That pink plating acro really popped under the Fijis...

I think you need to come around sometime to have a look at both tanks! Maybe Sat, after hitting up Rickys?

Ninong · 03/18/2009, 09:34 AM

Beautiful!

Thanks for the update pics! Keep 'em coming.

serenity · 03/18/2009, 03:18 PM

Great job to say the least! The colors look amazing, keep up the great work!

Patriot54 · 03/18/2009, 04:42 PM

At first when I read that you didn't like your first tank I thought you where crazy when I saw the pictures. Now, your tank is simply amazing!

mikid · 03/21/2009, 02:48 PM

hows the angel doing in your tank,nipping or is it worth it,nice fish,want to add one too,mike

Rod the Reefer · 03/23/2009, 04:16 AM

Thanks for all your kind words everyone.

Quote:

Originally posted by majesticangelfish
Looking great as always mate! Thanks again for the frags today!! That pink plating acro really popped under the Fijis... I think you need to come around sometime to have a look at both tanks! Maybe Sat, after hitting up Rickys?

No worries Josh.

Thanks for having us around on Saturday. Both tanks are looking great!! I bet your Dad is impressed with the way his is turning out.

Quote:

Originally posted by mikid
MAJESTIC
hows the angel doing in your tank,nipping or is it worth it,nice fish,want to add one too,mike

Hey Mike,

I happen to know that Josh's Majestic Angel has died.

Mine though has caused no problems at all. It hasn't nipped at a thing. (You can be lucky I guess)

Rod.

SunnyX · 03/23/2009, 05:49 AM

Wow, very nice! Please keep the pictures flowing.

Rod the Reefer · 03/25/2009, 12:45 AM

Ok, a few more for you;

Rod.

02/25/2009, 02:15 AM	#126
Rod the Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 153	Ok, being a roof plumber I just happened to have a few skylights laying around. I joined two 2' x 2'8" skylight frames together as I needed a long rectangle to suit the tank. Living in a high bush fire danger area I couldnâ€™t use the Solatube domes (Plus I didnâ€™t think Iâ€™d get enough light through them) so I discarded them and after much research ordered a sheet of 1/2" clear laminated glass to go on top. Fortunately the roof faces north so it picks up max sun. (I'm in Aus remember) I liked the idea of Solatube style tubes to bring the directed light right down to the tank and thought that three tubes alternating with the pendants would be good. As you know my ceiling is raked so I had the added hassle of different length tubes. Another problem was that the Solatube tubes only come in 16" and 24" lengths that you stick together with tape, which I thought was going to look pretty ordinary inside the room. The way I got around that was to give them a twin skin of HIP â€“ high impact polystyrene. Here are some pics of the install; Here's a pic of my old tank when I first installed the skylight and Solatubes. On my new tank the tubes have been shortened by about 2'. Rod. __________________ Acromaniac

02/26/2009, 04:54 PM	#128
Rod the Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 153	And a shot of the new tank with the Sola tubes; Rod. __________________ Acromaniac

02/26/2009, 06:04 PM	#129
jrreese Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Halsey, OR Posts: 46	Your tank is just beautiful, love the solar tubes. Inspiring. jr __________________ HAPPY REEFING Current Tank Info: Miracles in Glass rimless 250 Gal peninsula, sphire Glass on three sides with external over flow, two CL's, three pendent 400 wt reflux bulbs, lumibright reflectors with coralvue dimmable ballasts, ZEO all the way!

02/26/2009, 08:43 PM	#130
Jhardain Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GA Posts: 102	Looking great, very nice/clean install! __________________ When I hit the lottery, I am buiding a house around a tank the size of the Chattanooga or Atlanta Aquarium. Now that would rock! :) Current Tank Info: 220G Reef System 125G Display, 55G Frag Tank, Several Smaller Separate tanks and Phyto station in garage.

03/01/2009, 08:32 AM	#133
Hampton Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Panama City Posts: 274	How much can one expect to pay for a similar set up if you cut your own holes in your roof and ceiling? __________________ Hampton Current Tank Info: 90 Gal Reef w/ 'fuge

02/26/2009, 04:51 PM	#127
K' Family Reef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,966	thanks for posting the install pics Rod. regards

02/27/2009, 05:39 PM	#131
NanoReefWanabe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 6,639	i think that is one of the most awesome tanks i have seen pop up in a while.... the only beef i would have is that you can see the water line in the display tank...but it almost adds the shallow reef look to it... very good job, kudos on the solar tubs too...even though i am way up here Canada i would still like to put a sky light in my igloo and brighten up my tank...

03/02/2009, 12:26 AM	#134
Rod the Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 153	Hi Hampton, Hey, I'm probably not the person to ask. I did the entire install on mine from stuff I had on hand. I'm guessing that the costs would be different there in the US as to here in Aus. Just call a couple of skylight places and I'm sure they would quote you. Rod. __________________ Acromaniac

03/03/2009, 12:05 AM	#135
Rod the Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 153	Thought it was about time to share a few coral shots; Rod. __________________ Acromaniac

03/03/2009, 02:55 AM	#136
ninja750 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Perth - Australia Posts: 34	Noice.....

03/03/2009, 03:17 AM	#137
ghengis Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cairns, Australia Posts: 81	Long time lurker, first time poster.... And what a fantastic Thread to make my debut on! Definitely one of the most innovative tanks I have seen over the last six months. That solar tube concept is so simplistically brilliant as to render one gobsmacked... Great idea! __________________ Adam.

03/03/2009, 05:54 AM	#138
FUA Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 863	subscribed.....awsome tank too by the way

03/17/2009, 02:06 AM	#140
Rod the Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 153	Ok, here we have a shot from late Nov '08 when I first changed over top the new tank; And early March '09 showing growth; Rod. __________________ Acromaniac

03/17/2009, 04:05 AM	#141
seriousreefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 20	Tank looking awesome

03/17/2009, 09:23 AM	#142
jrreese Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Halsey, OR Posts: 46	Looks to me that your flow concept is really working out great. Thanks for the Pic update ... great growth ... great tank! __________________ HAPPY REEFING Current Tank Info: Miracles in Glass rimless 250 Gal peninsula, sphire Glass on three sides with external over flow, two CL's, three pendent 400 wt reflux bulbs, lumibright reflectors with coralvue dimmable ballasts, ZEO all the way!

03/18/2009, 07:43 AM	#143
majesticangelfish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Australia Posts: 1,920	Looking great as always mate! Thanks again for the frags today!! That pink plating acro really popped under the Fijis... I think you need to come around sometime to have a look at both tanks! Maybe Sat, after hitting up Rickys? __________________ "Natural does not imply ideal; only acceptable or tolerable." Current Tank Info: Bonsai ZEOvit 115g BK200 Profilux, Balling method (TEC NGIII) T5: D&D 2xActinic+ Pure Ac.; Korallen Zucht: 2x FP 2xCL(dimmbar), Iwaki+Penductors. Rimless ZEO 100g, two 500g inwall dual sided starfire

03/18/2009, 09:34 AM	#144
Ninong Team RC Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: USA Posts: 3,376	Beautiful! Thanks for the update pics! Keep 'em coming. __________________ Ninong

03/18/2009, 03:18 PM	#145
serenity Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 459	Great job to say the least! The colors look amazing, keep up the great work! __________________ Taking it 1 day at a time!

03/18/2009, 04:42 PM	#146
Patriot54 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 727	At first when I read that you didn't like your first tank I thought you where crazy when I saw the pictures. Now, your tank is simply amazing!

03/21/2009, 02:48 PM	#147
mikid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: fair oaks,california Posts: 1,767	MAJESTIC hows the angel doing in your tank,nipping or is it worth it,nice fish,want to add one too,mike __________________ Mike Dickenson....Marine Aquarist Roundtable of Sacramento, Co-Founder Current Tank Info: 187 Gal Display/125 Gal sump/Reefkeeper Elite/Rw20s/Leds

03/23/2009, 05:49 AM	#149
SunnyX Moved On Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 4,991	Wow, very nice! Please keep the pictures flowing.

03/25/2009, 12:45 AM	#150
Rod the Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 153	Ok, a few more for you; Rod. __________________ Acromaniac