gone solar - Page 2

NanoReefWanabe · 08/23/2008, 07:34 PM

that is amazing...i am quite impressed with the overall look of the tubes and their termination in the house as well...very nice job...i really like the open top look to the tank now...i am sure the combination of removing all the ballast and those huge hot bulbs along with removing the canopy has huge effects on the lack of heat you are now experiencing..

i wonder if these tubes come with horizontal exterior termination kits? i will have no way of running tubes through my second floor....but i have no problems cutting a bunch of 14" holes in the side of my house..(the south side)

man i cant wait my for my new tank LOL..

hobogato · 08/23/2008, 07:43 PM

any deviation from straight line decreases the amount of light transferred. the manufacturer of the ones i used recommends no more than a 15 degree bend. the bell shape on the bottom of the tubes is actually a modified plastic planter from lowe's

they actually look better now than in the picture because i sealed all of the seams on the tubes and where they join the plastic bezel on top and bottom with calk that was smoothed to give the appearance of one solid piece. the bells are coated with reflective chrome paint on the inside to direct all sun rays down into the tank without letting them escape over the top edge.

CMcNeil · 08/23/2008, 07:48 PM

first off,great looking tank before the transformation,but now WOWWOW.i think it looks better as far as the woodwork and the way the top is trimmed out.the SPS colors seem to be improviing with the solar tubes

very nice job

belgian_waffleman · 08/23/2008, 08:41 PM

Great idea! As others have said, not that great here up north, I think

How is the moonlight effect on this?
I have read that these solar tubes can light a room just from the moonlight.

Waffleman

hobogato · 08/23/2008, 08:44 PM

i waited eagerly for a full moon for two weeks after installation, and when it came so did the clouds... hopefully it will stay clear on the next one

barnett8 · 08/23/2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hobogato
here it is at night when the actinics are still on (looks like im calling aliens )

Ha! What do your neighbors think of that.

I love that you actually took the initiative to get the Solatubes.

Must save a ton on the electric bill too.

hobogato · 08/23/2008, 09:44 PM

it actually isnt very visible from the front of the house - you would really have to be looking for it.....

electricity bill was $170 lower this month with only three of the four weeks affected by the change to solar. we made a couple of other efficiency improvements as well tho, so all of the savings cant be attributed to the change.

spleify · 08/23/2008, 09:57 PM

Absolutely awesome!! Great job . The corals are loving th enew setup, and I'm sure you are too after hearing about the electric bill saving every month.
Again, really awesome and thanks so much for sharing.

Spleify

jpa0741 · 08/23/2008, 10:01 PM

Thanks for putting so many ideas in everybodys heads around here. I wonder what the wife will think when she finds me cutting holes in the roof and I tell her it is for the tank.

Those progression pics are awesome and looks to be more then enough light. Bravo, I must say this is my new must have future upgrade someday.

serpentman · 08/23/2008, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jpa0741
Thanks for putting so many ideas in everybodys heads around here. I wonder what the wife will think when she finds me cutting holes in the roof and I tell her it is for the tank.

Better to ask for forgiveness than for permission. Unfortunately, even if it saved me $500/mo, I am not sure I could convince mine. Plus, here in Ohio, I wonder how effective it would be (I'll keep telling myself that).

NewSchool04 · 08/23/2008, 10:07 PM

What do you think about the color? How does the natural light look to the eye compared to your old MH?

jmadison · 08/23/2008, 10:21 PM

Awesome job! Looks like the color is really begginning to pop! Congrats on the savings too, thats about 170 more dollars to 'improve' ur tank each month hahah. not that yours needs any work!!! nice job keep it up!

REEF-n-Chicago · 08/23/2008, 11:11 PM

Awesome! really great idea....
Is it very yellow or do the atinics balance it out?

hobogato · 08/24/2008, 06:02 AM

thanks for the comments all!

the color is less yellow than the camera pics up, and the actinics do a great job for the most part. the brightest two or three hours is the only time where it seems i could use just a little more actinic.

Quote:

Originally posted by REEF-n-Chicago
Awesome! really great idea....
Is it very yellow or do the atinics balance it out?

Quote:

Originally posted by NewSchool04
What do you think about the color? How does the natural light look to the eye compared to your old MH?

PnoyReefeR · 08/24/2008, 06:29 AM

Nice Ace!.. I was following your thread over the Large tank forum and I am speechless on your set up. Those Solar tube are nice.. Keep us updated so far all your corals looks really happy and starting to color up.. Thanks man!

JMBoehling · 08/24/2008, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hobogato
how about some pics jim?

Here is a quick video showing the sun beaming in.. Couple others can be seen in my Photobucket album

http://s71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...t=P6100146.flv

Jim

hobogato · 08/24/2008, 07:36 AM

oh yeah jim, i remember now, my changeover was partially your fault - your tank was one that helped convince me

kev apsley · 08/24/2008, 07:47 AM

I think this is a tremendous idea, it is forward thinking like this that keeps the hobby growing everyday!

Congrats to you and your accomplishment! it is a stunning looking tank and pure genius!

rogergolf66 · 08/24/2008, 08:51 AM

I have been wanting to do this for about 2 years now. I even called solartubes and told them I wanted to be a test tank for them, so they could market to fish tank lighting

they didn't take me up on it

really looking forward to the long turn results you get.

Roger

poknsnok · 08/24/2008, 09:29 AM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1456867

check out this natural sunlight SPS tank!

scaryperson27 · 08/24/2008, 09:29 AM

Do you have a lot more algae growth? I wonder if you could stick a blue tinted glass over the sunlights and do away with the actinics completly!!

hobogato · 08/24/2008, 09:40 AM

no, the algae actually doesnt grow quite as fast on the glass. as a matter of fact, the patches of bryopsis i had been battling for two years thinned and completely disappeared by the end of the first week. another local reefer and i are doing some research into why that happened right now, and it is looking promising.....

ReefingBuddha · 08/24/2008, 10:02 AM

very cool. I'm thinking of doing the same on my next tank. Could you give us a idea of the light spread? My tank is going to be 60"x60" so I was wondering if a 21" unit high up with t5's along the edge would do the job.

Thanks, great setup BTW.

screamincamaro · 08/24/2008, 10:03 AM

Tagging along great thread.

Goodwood · 08/24/2008, 10:20 AM

My folks have these in a bathroom without windows, and they are super bright.

I was thinking how I could put them over a tank when I first saw them, nice work Hobo.

08/23/2008, 07:48 PM	#28
CMcNeil Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: St.Petersburg,Florida Posts: 7,368	first off,great looking tank before the transformation,but now WOWWOW.i think it looks better as far as the woodwork and the way the top is trimmed out.the SPS colors seem to be improviing with the solar tubes very nice job __________________ Deep Blue 28g rimless, AI Prime LED,Vortech MP-10,SCA-301 skimmer, Tunze 1073.04 return pump,Tunze nano osmolator, 10g glass sump,Ehiem 100w heater,RK Lite. SPS dominant reef

08/23/2008, 09:57 PM	#33
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	Absolutely awesome!! Great job . The corals are loving th enew setup, and I'm sure you are too after hearing about the electric bill saving every month. Again, really awesome and thanks so much for sharing. Spleify __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

08/23/2008, 10:07 PM	#36
NewSchool04 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Go Bears! Posts: 7,629	What do you think about the color? How does the natural light look to the eye compared to your old MH? __________________ 180 w/ Tek 8 bulb T5 fixture 2 6105 Tunze w/ 7095 controller Tunze Wave Box

08/23/2008, 10:21 PM	#37
jmadison rebmeM deretsigeR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: PHX, AZ Posts: 1,426	Awesome job! Looks like the color is really begginning to pop! Congrats on the savings too, thats about 170 more dollars to 'improve' ur tank each month hahah. not that yours needs any work!!! nice job keep it up! __________________ -Keyser Söze- By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. -Confucius Current Tank Info: Construction Zone

08/23/2008, 11:11 PM	#38
REEF-n-Chicago Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA (san pedro) Posts: 1,456	Awesome! really great idea.... Is it very yellow or do the atinics balance it out? __________________ Jordan My tank gets DRUNK every morning Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon w/ 100 gallon sump; 240 gallon

08/23/2008, 07:34 PM	#26
NanoReefWanabe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 6,639	that is amazing...i am quite impressed with the overall look of the tubes and their termination in the house as well...very nice job...i really like the open top look to the tank now...i am sure the combination of removing all the ballast and those huge hot bulbs along with removing the canopy has huge effects on the lack of heat you are now experiencing.. i wonder if these tubes come with horizontal exterior termination kits? i will have no way of running tubes through my second floor....but i have no problems cutting a bunch of 14" holes in the side of my house..(the south side) man i cant wait my for my new tank LOL..

08/23/2008, 07:43 PM	#27
hobogato Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,517	any deviation from straight line decreases the amount of light transferred. the manufacturer of the ones i used recommends no more than a 15 degree bend. the bell shape on the bottom of the tubes is actually a modified plastic planter from lowe's they actually look better now than in the picture because i sealed all of the seams on the tubes and where they join the plastic bezel on top and bottom with calk that was smoothed to give the appearance of one solid piece. the bells are coated with reflective chrome paint on the inside to direct all sun rays down into the tank without letting them escape over the top edge.

08/23/2008, 08:41 PM	#29
belgian_waffleman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lockport,NY Posts: 1,309	Great idea! As others have said, not that great here up north, I think How is the moonlight effect on this? I have read that these solar tubes can light a room just from the moonlight. Waffleman

08/23/2008, 08:44 PM	#30
hobogato Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,517	i waited eagerly for a full moon for two weeks after installation, and when it came so did the clouds... hopefully it will stay clear on the next one

08/23/2008, 09:44 PM	#32
hobogato Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,517	it actually isnt very visible from the front of the house - you would really have to be looking for it..... electricity bill was $170 lower this month with only three of the four weeks affected by the change to solar. we made a couple of other efficiency improvements as well tho, so all of the savings cant be attributed to the change.

08/23/2008, 10:01 PM	#34
jpa0741 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MI Posts: 1,392	Thanks for putting so many ideas in everybodys heads around here. I wonder what the wife will think when she finds me cutting holes in the roof and I tell her it is for the tank. Those progression pics are awesome and looks to be more then enough light. Bravo, I must say this is my new must have future upgrade someday.

08/24/2008, 06:29 AM	#40
PnoyReefeR Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New JerZeY Posts: 2,914	Nice Ace!.. I was following your thread over the Large tank forum and I am speechless on your set up. Those Solar tube are nice.. Keep us updated so far all your corals looks really happy and starting to color up.. Thanks man! __________________ Can't decide which tank should go :(

08/24/2008, 07:36 AM	#42
hobogato Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,517	oh yeah jim, i remember now, my changeover was partially your fault - your tank was one that helped convince me

08/24/2008, 07:47 AM	#43
kev apsley Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: LI, NY Posts: 4,424	I think this is a tremendous idea, it is forward thinking like this that keeps the hobby growing everyday! Congrats to you and your accomplishment! it is a stunning looking tank and pure genius!

08/24/2008, 08:51 AM	#44
rogergolf66 im an addict lol Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Land o lakes, FLorida Posts: 12,930	I have been wanting to do this for about 2 years now. I even called solartubes and told them I wanted to be a test tank for them, so they could market to fish tank lighting they didn't take me up on it really looking forward to the long turn results you get. Roger __________________ Goal levels: salinity 35ppt, temp 78-79, alk 8-9, cal 430-450, mag 1310-1400 po4 .03, no3 1-3 Current Tank Info: System 1... 100 gal Zoa tank I built, 30 gal Ric Yuma shroom tank, 30 gal mix tank my sons,40 gal softie tank, 40 gal nem tank, two 40 gal LPS tank. System 2... 240 gal SPS display attached 100 gal frag SPS only tank.

08/24/2008, 09:29 AM	#45
poknsnok Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: tampa/ Brandon Posts: 2,802	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1456867 check out this natural sunlight SPS tank!

08/24/2008, 09:29 AM	#46
scaryperson27 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cape Coral, F.L. Posts: 2,106	Do you have a lot more algae growth? I wonder if you could stick a blue tinted glass over the sunlights and do away with the actinics completly!!

08/24/2008, 09:40 AM	#47
hobogato Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,517	no, the algae actually doesnt grow quite as fast on the glass. as a matter of fact, the patches of bryopsis i had been battling for two years thinned and completely disappeared by the end of the first week. another local reefer and i are doing some research into why that happened right now, and it is looking promising.....

08/24/2008, 10:02 AM	#48
ReefingBuddha Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Winterpark, FL Posts: 1,330	very cool. I'm thinking of doing the same on my next tank. Could you give us a idea of the light spread? My tank is going to be 60"x60" so I was wondering if a 21" unit high up with t5's along the edge would do the job. Thanks, great setup BTW. __________________ -Tom Current Tank Info: Starting a new 300g In-wall, 600g system

08/24/2008, 10:03 AM	#49
screamincamaro Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 1,549	Tagging along great thread. __________________ 300g DD, SWC 250a skimmer, 4 MP40wES, Schuran JS1 Reactor, A360WE Kessils, RKE

08/24/2008, 10:20 AM	#50
Goodwood Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Destin, Florida Posts: 700	My folks have these in a bathroom without windows, and they are super bright. I was thinking how I could put them over a tank when I first saw them, nice work Hobo.