Lets Go Solar

[vegaskid11]

Hi Reefers,

I have decided to make a radical change to my lighting system. I have ditched my 400W metal halides and installed 3x14" solartube skylights.

Before we get to the pictures, (Which there are plenty) :) Ill explain a little behind my reasoning for experimenting with this.

I first saw this idea of skyights over a reef a couple years ago and thought to myself, wow what a great idea. If it works......

Currently, my 400 watt halides run 7 hours per day. Because of my fish room location (Garage), I also run a 1hp chiller and a large wall AC unit. The cost for this equipment to run is likely in the 90-150 range per month depending on time of year. The skylights will not only completely eliminate the halide portion it will dramtically reduce the chiller run time if it even needs to run at all. The AC should also not kick on the condenser as often. I will also never replace bulbs again [smilie=alien.gif]

I have taken some before and after install pictures as well as a few random coral pictures which I will use to watch for color change.

Wish me luck....Enjoy [smilie=blob3.gif]

This is What I had
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2602.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2606.jpg

And it looked like this

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2593.jpg


Here is a bunch of Random (Bad, lol) Shots I will use for comparison later

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2569.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2570.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2572.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2576.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2580.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2582.jpg

[vegaskid11]

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2583.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2585.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2586.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2588.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2594.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2596.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2599.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2600.jpg

[vegaskid11]

Here is the construction shots

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2608.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/P1010509.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/P1010510.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2611.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/P1010513.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/P1010506.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/P1010508.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2613.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/P1010515.jpg


http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/P1010514.jpg

The middle unit has an elbow because of the attic vent. There is 0 intensity lost from the bends.(checked with par meter) I was surprised

[vegaskid11]

Here is how it looks with my VHOs up

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2618.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2620.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2621.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2622.jpg

[vegaskid11]

Here is a shot from this morning at 6AM

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/Jayla1916/300%20Gallon%20Reef/Lets%20Go%20Solar/IMG_2628.jpg

[mdb_talon]

LOL after all that no shot of tank using the daylight !!! EDIT: sorry I was too quick ! Looks nice. Def keep us updated on growth of coral/algae/etc.

[kikireef]

This is really cool to see. I have been looking at solar tubes for my upgrade when I buy a larger house so I can have a fish room. Yes, I am already planning an upgrade for something that is a few years away. Its really cool to see someone else jumping on board. I would be curious to see the growth in 1 months, 3 months 6 month periods. Your par has got to be way higher too. Out of curiousity what do you plan to do (if anything) for light when its raining or cloudy out for periods longer than just a day at a time? Would you be willing to post your savings on your electricity bill too? I am curious just how much money this could potentially save. Great Job!

[gweston]

I REALLY hope it works out for you! A few concerns I would have for my specific situation...

-The wife might drill my head if I drilled holes in the roof ;P

-Living in New England.. lots of cloudy days and short days in winter. BUT if you live in a very sunny climate, MORE POWER TO YOU. Actually.. less power.. more light! :)

Looking forward to see pics with the lights shining at high noon!

[vegaskid11]

These just went in yesterday and the tank was covered with plastic until late last night when I finished with the vho rack.

The last pic is from 6am this morning and includes the actinics and the morning sun.

[ratherbediving]

Thanks for sharing this! I was wondering if solar tubes could be used for a reef tank. I'll definitely be interested in following along this thread.

[Snickersalad]

I too am curious to see how this works out.. I'll be following along.

[Fishdude1984]

id love to see how the tank looks at various times throughout the day

[Stanley-Reefer]

i love this approach and one of my tanks gets alot of natural light, but I dare not cut the roof:fun2:

[david pinder]

Did 1 of my tanks in january another in february. While I love it have experienced a lot of die off. Not all at once but some here some there. The good news once they experience die off they tend to come back with a vengance.

[vegaskid11]

Thanks for the positive feedback guys :dance:

David, where is your thread? I remember reading that you added some in Guillos thread. What kind of die off? Do you think it was from intensity or just spectral change. I have a par meter and I took multiple measurments prior to removing my halides. I am hoping to keep things close to where they were and slowly remove filters as the summer heats up. We get some serious star power in vegas. lolol

[SDguy]

One of the few reasons I wish I owned a house instead of a condo. Very cool!

[John Blaze]

This is a great idea. What kelvin where the metal halide bulbs, and how does the light from the solar tube compare? Do these tubes produce any heat?
TIA

[vegaskid11]

I was using 20K bulbs. There is very little heat compared to hid lighting. Just as much as if you hold your hand in the sunlight. I am really liking these solartube skylights.

[David - Miami]

looking forward to the progressive pics. Tagging along.

[Reefski's]

welcome to the club

do lots of PAR meter readings at different times of day. that will be interesting.

[vegaskid11]

Thanks reefski. I have followed yours since you started. :fun4:

So I just cut the opaque filter that came with the snap on covers and like it much better with just the clear acrylic lens.

I also just purchased a large 24" plastic planter from lowes and I am going to make some reflectors. Right now the tubes termiate 24" above the water I think its to high. I am getting par readings of 1000-1800 right at the tube but just 12" down it drops to 500 and then 1" under water its only 100-120. I will need 180-200 at 6" to match my readings right before my halides came down.

[Reefer Brian]

Sweet setup, I plan on doing the same on my 225g. What are the dimensions of your tank?

[Reefski's]

every time i go to one of the reef things like MAX or reefapalooza i talk to the controller manufacturers about adding a solar sensor that would monitor PAR over 15 or 30 minute average and turn tank lights on or off at what ever PAR value was set. they are interested yet. not enough of us out there. more than one has told me how easy it would be but...

after all, my car can do it when i go into a tunnel or underground parking lot.

Carl

[GUILLO1]

Thanks reefski. I have followed yours since you started. :fun4:

So I just cut the opaque filter that came with the snap on covers and like it much better with just the clear acrylic lens.

I also just purchased a large 24" plastic planter from lowes and I am going to make some reflectors. Right now the tubes termiate 24" above the water I think its to high. I am getting par readings of 1000-1800 right at the tube but just 12" down it drops to 500 and then 1" under water its only 100-120. I will need 180-200 at 6" to match my readings right before my halides came down.

Welcome to the Solar Club......If I were you I'd add another 12" inch extension to the end of the tubes. That would put yours just like mine at 12" above the tank. I get 200 Par on the bottom of parts in my tank.

[kingfisher62]

This has to be the ultimate in reef obsession, someone who cuts 3 huge holes in their ceiling and roof! That is crazy or pure genius . I guess only time will tell.

[David - Miami]

Looks great, but I have not seen any threads with the tubes so high off the tank. I would extend them as soon as possible. Good luck and I am looking forward to following this.

[GUILLO1]

took a video with and ipod of my tank today. I'm going to take another later on tonight when it get dark so that the colors will pop more with the actinics.
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/th_IMG_0030.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/?action=view&current=IMG_0030.flv)

[erics3000]

Cool. I got a price on 4 10 in system from Lowes for about $600 minus extensions, your tank is really making it hard for me to hold off. NICE>>>>>>>>>>>

[jchase1970]

Wouldn't the sunlight spectrum make algae grow alot faster?

[vegaskid11]

The video looks great. Im gonna try the reflector I made tomorrow and see what happens. If it doesnt do much then Ill just extend the tube down some more.

Algae enjoys full spectrum lighting just as much as coral do. :rollface:

[vegaskid11]

Wow, the reflector I made makes a seriouos difference. I didnt even paint the inside yet. I am getting par readings of double from under one reflector. The problem is that they look huge and funny....lollol Lets see what the afternoon does.

[Rich D]

how different is the PAR from the metal halides?

[jdhuyvetter]

Some of us cut 4 holes!! http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1574694

Welcome to the club. I'm now at 14 months. However, this past winter I did not quite have enough light to maintain good color and I am in the process of switching the PC actinics supplements to 250w HQI w/T5 actinics. I plan on running the HQI's for 4 hours in the winter. Corals still grew well over the winter. But, the high light montis and acros browned out.

[sslak]

Wouldn't the sunlight spectrum make algae grow alot faster?

It's the exact spectrum that the reef gets in the real ocean...:spin2:

With good flow and water quality, it shouldn't be an issue.

[jdhuyvetter]

14 months and the only algae problem I have had is my current outbreak of cyano. But, this is due to lack of cleaning on my part (dosing system issue, followed by a drop in kH over the last week on top poor skimming, cleaning issue too). Fixed as of yesterday.

What I did notice was much faster coral growth and an explosion in green zoanthids and various palythoas. So bad, that I have pulled out about 75% of the palythoas and the remainder will be out by Memorial Day. They were literally choking out everything!!

Zoas are in a position where they can't really hurt any corals.

[chilwil84]

It's the exact spectrum that the reef gets in the real ocean...:spin2:

With good flow and water quality, it shouldn't be an issue.

the reef also has a few feet to 20+ feet of water over it that filters out many parts of the light changing the spectrum deeper you go. with that said good water quality and a good cleanup crew it shouldnt cause any long term algae problems.

i think a few shots from different times of the day are needed to keep this thread viable

[vegaskid11]

i think a few shots from different times of the day are needed to keep this thread viable

Ill have some additional pictures this weekend of shots throughout the day. I built a reflector from a large plastic planter and painted the inside with reflective paint. It added about 20% more par at the water line but I dont like the look of the planters. Today I went and bought some additional 24" lengths of the solatube material and I am going to make some sliding extensions for the tubes. That way I can slide them up and down for intensty change.

I was really surprised at how quickly the par level dropped. I was getting readings of 1600-1800 right at the end of the tube but at just 12" it dropped to the 500s. I think the sliding tube will allow me to play with the height throughout the year.

[jchase1970]

it just seems odd because the general advice on new tanks is avoid setting them near a window so you can control the light spectrum hitting them and thus not feed the algae. That said my tank gets sunlight from 2 sources since it is in a wall and gets sunlight from 2 rooms. So maybe it's not such an issue after all.

[vegaskid11]

I have heard that in the past as well. Its probably due to the lower overall kelvin of full spectrum lighting. The thing is, corals grow better with that light too :idea:

[jefathome]

Tagging along.
I just got two 14in Velux tubes that I'm about to install over my 48in 120g.

[david pinder]

My tank really started out slow after installing in fact I think I took a big step back. now into there 5th month things are really starting to grow and color.. wish I had more time keep saying Im gonna do pics but never get there totally swamped trying to keep up with everything and my 2700 gal of aquariums. Dont think my reefs will ever be as colorful because I run so many fish and large angels. Still when people come over there like wow. Guess your never as impressed with your own tank as you are with others.