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08/23/2008, 11:09 AM | #1 |
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gone solar
i have posted all of this in my build thread, but i thought i would post here as well since the tank is 80% sps. about three weeks ago i took out the 5 MH lights from my 240 and installed 3 solar tubes. i kept the 580 watts of T5 actinic, and redid the configuration of the top of the tank. first, ill post a few before and after pics of the work i did, and then i will post weekly coral comparison pics to document the changes.
here is the way i did the tank originally: front back here is what it used to look like inside the "canopy" now, here is what it looks like front back from above (i have covered the T5 lights with acrylic covers since this pic) here is a comparison of the lighting in the tank: here are hourly progression pics on a sunny day - left side is with the actinics off and right side is with them on tank was without lights for two days while i did all of this, and within a week of installing the sundome tubes, everything was a nice shade of brown. the first coral pics i took were at that one week stage. i will try to take the same pics of the same corals weekly to show color and growth progression.... |
08/23/2008, 11:13 AM | #2 |
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the one week pics were taken on a somewhat cloudy day, so the overall look of the pics is different, but the coral colors are pretty acurate.
valida 8-10-08 same top down 8-10-08 ultimate frag's best stag ever 8-10-08 tyree lime in the sky 8-10-08 texreefer green with blue tip stag 8-10-08 same top down 8-10-08 texreefer A. chesterfieldensis 8-10-08 same top down 8-10-08 texreefer blue tip stag 8-10-08 seaworld sa blue tip teal stag 8-10-08 |
08/23/2008, 11:13 AM | #3 |
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Interesting, how do you know it is going to be enough light? What happens if it isn't? Would you put the halides back in? How did you decide to change over? I am not being critical, I am genuinely interested about your thought process of the whole thing. I really like the idea, I hope it works.
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Rich nanoTOTM May '08 29 years saltwater, 19 years reefs Current Tank Info: 65 mixed reef |
08/23/2008, 11:14 AM | #4 |
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Wow, very impressive....and very green. Aren't you going to miss the high electric bill? Wish that was an option for me. Here in NE Ohio the sun only shines 3 months a year
I would bet you will see significant growth from the change. Keep us posted.
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BS in Marine Bio ('96), First SW tank in 1992. Current Tank(s) 300g SPS with 90g frag tank and 40 anemone tank - decommissioned 46g LPS/Softy Cube 300g FOWLR under construction - decommissioned |
08/23/2008, 11:14 AM | #5 |
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B&B A. efflorescens 8-10-08
ATL tulip A. millepora 8-10-08 same from back of tank 8-10-08 same top down 8-10-08 AKM yellow A. sp. table 8-10-08 same top down 8-10-08 |
08/23/2008, 11:18 AM | #6 |
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Corals look pretty happy. I am betting that is more sufficient light. Be interested to see that verified with a par meter. My guess is you are getting better par now.
Worst case, you could throw some T5's or VHOs to supplement in the winter.
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BS in Marine Bio ('96), First SW tank in 1992. Current Tank(s) 300g SPS with 90g frag tank and 40 anemone tank - decommissioned 46g LPS/Softy Cube 300g FOWLR under construction - decommissioned |
08/23/2008, 11:22 AM | #7 | ||
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08/23/2008, 11:36 AM | #8 |
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Wow that is amazing, the corals look great. Amazing how intense the light gets, hows the heat from the lights? The colors look like they improved a lot, really noticeable with the ATL tulip A. millepora. Also any effect on algae?
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My hands smell like algae... Current Tank Info: 20G mixed reef |
08/23/2008, 11:36 AM | #9 |
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Not sure if you care to divulge, but what is the ballpark price of getting solar tubes?
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Out of the hobby, but thinking of rejoining Current Tank Info: 92 Reef, 10 Reef |
08/23/2008, 11:50 AM | #10 | ||
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there is virtually no heat coming in from the tubes - my chiller almost never kicks on now - as far as algae, i cleaned the glass four times in three weeks (a little less often than i had to with the halides) no new algae, and one nice surprise with an existing algae........more on that later
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08/23/2008, 11:55 AM | #11 | |
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Quote:
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BS in Marine Bio ('96), First SW tank in 1992. Current Tank(s) 300g SPS with 90g frag tank and 40 anemone tank - decommissioned 46g LPS/Softy Cube 300g FOWLR under construction - decommissioned |
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08/23/2008, 01:00 PM | #12 | |
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Peace,Dave Superman puts on Tim Tebow pajamas when he goes to bed The Heisman as a sophomore nuff said Less technology more biology Tattoos are the only art you can take to the grave Current Tank Info: 26gal bow,20gal mantis tank/fuge150wHQI,20k AB Seio 620 maxijet1200x's 2 on a wave maker. all sps |
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08/23/2008, 01:06 PM | #13 |
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i think even in the winter time there should be enough light, but i can always change some of the actinic out for 6500k in the t5 fixtures if needed
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08/23/2008, 01:38 PM | #14 |
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Who makes solar tubes?
Do you have a link? |
08/23/2008, 02:15 PM | #16 |
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Looks awesome! I've been running them on my reef for a couple years now. Man I wish I had a tank big enough for three 14" tubes.
Way to go! Jim
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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 |
08/23/2008, 02:21 PM | #17 |
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how about some pics jim?
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08/23/2008, 02:23 PM | #18 |
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whoa, looks like your corals love their new light..kinda wish i can do that..
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08/23/2008, 03:06 PM | #19 |
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looks good. would like to try it myself but the home owner association probly wouldn't allow it.
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08/23/2008, 03:15 PM | #20 |
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hmm... not sure they would even notice, here is what it looks like on the roof
here it is at night when the actinics are still on (looks like im calling aliens ) |
08/23/2008, 04:33 PM | #21 |
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That's really cool looking. I can't believe they transfer light that well!
Do they heat up the tank a lot less than the halide lights? |
08/23/2008, 05:40 PM | #22 |
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great pix. great thread.
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over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems *see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB* GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors |
08/23/2008, 06:34 PM | #23 |
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Just think on a new system the ROI is less, if you are building a new system and consider that a good ballast,good reflectors, and bulbs will run about $300. So really, you are only paying a premium of $130 per light. ROI is now less than 3 months, you are positive in the 4th...Wow I think when I do my upgrade I will be doing the tubes.
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Out of the hobby, but thinking of rejoining Current Tank Info: 92 Reef, 10 Reef |
08/23/2008, 07:05 PM | #24 | |
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well, i did sell my old halide setups for $100 each (good deal for the people that bought em - electronic ballast with home made lumenarc mini type reflector and reeflux 12K bulb), so i really only paid $800 out of pocket.
almost no heat from these - my chiller is hardly kicking on now Quote:
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08/23/2008, 07:15 PM | #25 |
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This is a really good idea. Please keep us posted on how the corals respond in growth. How do you think your growth is so far?
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Emmett Jan. 09 TOTM Current Tank Info: 180 gal, Iwaki 70, 4-3/4" sea swirls, 3-400 watt Radiums, 4-80watt T-5's , custom Ca reactor, 1/3hp aqualogic chiller, i-Tech 400, Tunze osmolator |
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