gone solar

[melev]

This thread was nominated for Thread Of The Month (ThOTM). If you agree and would like to vote for it, here's the poll:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...7#post13225937

[texreefer]

Ace Lives not far from me and we helped each other install our skylights. I installed 1 18" skylight over my 4'x3'x26" that is supplimented by 6 48" T5s
This is the Dome


my fat head for size comparison


waiting on a new tank 'cause this one had a loose seam but this is about 5 or 6 pm. this thing is way bright at about 1:30


here is a shot of the light over the tank

[8BALL_99]

Great thread. I almost got solar tubes for my new 300, But I ended up just getting a large skylight due to cost. Either way I think using sunlight if its an option is a great idea. Atleast the ocean seems to think so! I can't wait to finish mine and see how it looks.

Haha the picture of your tubes at night is great.

[hobogato]

8ball - got any pics so far?

[melev]

Originally posted by texreefer
Ace Lives not far from me and we helped each other install our skylights. I installed 1 18" skylight over my 4'x3'x26" that is supplimented by 6 48" T5s
This is the Dome


my fat head for size comparison

Why is there a red circle on the shingles after it is installed? Just curious.

Your head in that one picture made me laugh. I think it makes your head look skinny.

For both of you, is that a very sunny spot on your roof? The reason I ask is because I love this idea, but I do have a few trees providing shade. It almost seems like this type of option is best for guys that have no shade at all. All these years, I've wanted my trees to shade my house to save one electricity, and here you guys are seeking sun to save on electricity.

[hobogato]

the red circle on mike's roof shows where the edge of the flashing is under the shingles. it was just a mark to help us line things up.

mine is on top of the 2nd story, and there are no trees immediately around that area - it is almost 20' just to the edge of the roof from the ground tho.

mikes is closer in to the center of his roof, so again a place where it would take a monterous tree to shade it.

[texreefer]

Marc- its just red roof marker to help me line up the correct spot when I slid the dome up under the shingles. it also gave me an idea of how far up to cut with the saw to remove the nails holding the shingles down.

Yep, probably need to have sun for most of the day. or at least the 5-6 hours during the middle of the day

[texreefer]

here is a shot from the street of the dome

[GUILLO1]

congrats on the nomination for thread of the month. I think it will win for sure.

[naldopr]

in my opinion this is the most interesting thread congrats on the nomination ( :

[dodgerblew]

got my vote

[Amphiprion]

Mine as well. The solar tube concepts always intrigue me. We have a guy in our area with an 890 gallon tank that uses them exclusively, as well.

[GUILLO1]

I just picked up 3 of these bad boys. Solatubes are by far better than other brands. Where I got them they have a 10" solatube and a 14" velux, the solatubes is much brighter. Oh by the way I got 3 14" tubes that I will be using pretty soon.

[Ehgemus]

Originally posted by GUILLO1
I just picked up 3 of these bad boys. Solatubes are by far better than other brands. Where I got them they have a 10" solatube and a 14" velux, the solatubes is much brighter. Oh by the way I got 3 14" tubes that I will be using pretty soon.

how much does one cost?

[GUILLO1]

I got them for $295 each but I also bought a chit load of roofing supplies to. I had called some other retailers and they wanted from $369 to $420 for each 14" tube kit. I also got a 24" estension for each tube for $41 bucks each. Its not cheap but it will pay off in the long run. I also plan to run some supplemental lighting with the tubes, most likely t-5's.

[Ehgemus]

Seams high but it's free light so I guess it's not that bad.

[murfman]

Very nice!!! We get 300+ days of sun here in Colorado Springs but with winter time we do get some snow. I was thinking putting them on the side of my house at an angle.

[hobogato]

wow, that is a great price! i couldnt find that brand for anywhere near that price.....

Originally posted by GUILLO1
I got them for $295 each but I also bought a chit load of roofing supplies to. I had called some other retailers and they wanted from $369 to $420 for each 14" tube kit. I also got a 24" estension for each tube for $41 bucks each. Its not cheap but it will pay off in the long run. I also plan to run some supplemental lighting with the tubes, most likely t-5's.

just remember, any bends will decrease the amount of light. also, make sure the place you put them will get sun for as much of the day as possible, like a south facing side.

Originally posted by murfman
Very nice!!! We get 300+ days of sun here in Colorado Springs but with winter time we do get some snow. I was thinking putting them on the side of my house at an angle.

[hobogato]

could you post some pics of that beast?

Originally posted by Amphiprion
Mine as well. The solar tube concepts always intrigue me. We have a guy in our area with an 890 gallon tank that uses them exclusively, as well.

[sfsuphysics]

I wonder at what point it'd simply be more cost effective to put in a skylight, and perhaps extended that down to the tank's surface (canopy if you will), and use a reflective mylar or other high reflectivity material.

2 or 3 of these, yeah I can see how it's a close call, however 890 gallon tank? Yikes you'd need quite a few of them buggers!

[hobogato]

no doubt, if i had a single floor house i think a "sky shaft" with the same footprint as the tank would be optimal

here is and example - reefski, i hope you dont mind the link.....

[xtm]

I voted for your thread hobo.. I've always wanted one of these but don't have the huevos to drill a hole on the roof, plus the HOA might kill me does anyone know how many equivalent halide watts these put out?

[djfrankie]

Outstanding!

Looks like there's quite a bit of par output there...it would be great to get some measurements.

Great thread!

Voted for you as well...good luck!

djfrankie

[drpo21]

this would be great for south florida, i have two of these in my house and i always had the thought about using them for lighting.. now here you go and do it. nice job, you have my vote

[Jojoyojimbi]

i am totally subscribing to this thread to see how things develop, keep us posted man