Rod's Gyre flow, Natural light, SPS dominated Reef

[sfsuphysics]

Originally Posted by theisdept

Whats your opinion? What is your elevation? Being at 5000 ft+ is cooler but also closer to the sun and less atmosphere. Do you thing it would be more or less intense then Phx or where you are? And who else mite have input?

Well you're not really much closer to the sun, less than 1 mile closer out of 93,000,000 miles. So that removes that part of the intensity. Less atmosphere is true, but again not much less, telescopes are put on top of mountains on the order of 10,000 feet to get away from the atmosphere (and people), they are noticeably clearer but this if for very faint light sources and is more along the lines for resolution issues, I doubt it would mean anything with something as big and bright as the Sun.

The only difference I could see is maybe you'll have a bit more cloud cover due to the lower temperatures, and that would negatively impact your total output. Perhaps slightly elevated IR radiation, but I doubt much at all.

IMO, you probably would be on the same footing as anyone in Phoenix though as far as how much intensity you get.

[Rickyrooz1]

Are the dimensions of your tank 72"x28"x28"?

[theisdept]

Originally Posted by NaClH20NMYVEIN

I have heard other people make the very valid claim that although Phoenix does have very intense sun that the areas these corals some from near the equator have more intense sun. Seems to make sense. I have tried to find someone in Phoneix who has used solar tubes and although I have heard stories of people using them I have never seen it,just like the lock ness monster and bigfoot I'm planning on having mine installed within the next year over my tank that I'm currently building. If your not planning on putting yours in right away your more than welcome to check out mine when they are completed. If you end up getting your sooner I would love to come up there and check them, and it would give me an excuse to visit my parents up there

Thanks for the input.
Ya the intenseness of the sun at the equator would be greater (closer).
I was originally only going to put in three 14 inch tubes, but now I'm considering four now that I saw that shot of jdhuyvetter 4 tubes lighting up his tank and I think its also a 250.

I'll probable be putting my tubes in before you, so ya your welcome to come and check them out.
When I ge

[Rod the Reefer]

Thanks guys.

That's interesting jdhuyvetter! I'll have to try putting some cardboad on top of my tank to see if there's any difference.

Hmm, not sure theisdept.

Originally Posted by tonyf

Beautiful specimen, Rod How do you get such perfect focus ... I'm really struggling with the concept

Tell me more about it?

Tone

Hey Tone, thanks mate. I'm not sure about the perfect focus.

For fish shots on the Canon I use the Sport mode. I usually take about a hundred shots and one is bound to be ok.

Originally Posted by Rickyrooz1

Are the dimensions of your tank 72"x28"x28"?

Yes it is. Although I have set my weir at 24" which gives me a bit extra glass at the top to help cope with salt spray etc.

Rod.

[Reefski's]

i too have a solar powered reef and would do it again in a second.

you can always shade the tank if it is getting too much light. and it will.

last week on the equinox the light was 150-350 par at 10am and at 1pm was 300-750 par.

some of my lps corals got too much sun and bleached.



Carl

[henrystyle]

The best feature of your old and new tank is still those solar tubes. I have never seen that before.....I love the look. Are there reflectors inside those tubes that reflect the light downward? Your stags are growing nicely....Good job... Do you run any Carbon or GFO? Maybe I missed that in the thread...

[Rod the Reefer]

Thanks guys.

Originally Posted by henrystyle

The best feature of your old and new tank is still those solar tubes. I have never seen that before.....I love the look. Are there reflectors inside those tubes that reflect the light downward? Your stags are growing nicely....Good job... Do you run any Carbon or GFO? Maybe I missed that in the thread...

There are no additional reflectors. Just the highly reflective tubes.

No, I don't run any carbon unless there's a problem.

Rod.

[hkyeo72]

What do you fed your corals.Any special recipe to maximise the coral growth. The tank is very pretty and neat. I hope one day I can drop by and have a look at the real thing.

[ptr13]

I love the idea of using sun as the source of lighting with the T5s and such an energy effecient tank,tank looks great. The system is well thought out,wish we had that much sun because we live in chicago.

[Rod the Reefer]

Originally Posted by hkyeo72

What do you fed your corals.Any special recipe to maximise the coral growth. The tank is very pretty and neat. I hope one day I can drop by and have a look at the real thing.

I have actually never target fed any of my corals. I do however feed the tank, I usually feed the fish quite a variety of foods and normally add in some Cyclop-eeze, rotifers etc.

Are you planning a trip to Australia? You'd be very welcome to come have a look.

Originally Posted by ptr13

I love the idea of using sun as the source of lighting with the T5s and such an energy effecient tank,tank looks great. The system is well thought out,wish we had that much sun because we live in chicago.

Thanks. You could always move to sunny Aus!

I am planning on making this tank much more energy efficient in the near future.

Rod.

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

What energy efficient upgrades do you have in mind?

[kudora]

wow what a great read, i know other has said this before but the stag island is such a cool idea. /subscribed

[Rod the Reefer]

Originally Posted by NaClH20NMYVEIN

What energy efficient upgrades do you have in mind?

Solar panels.

Originally Posted by kudora

wow what a great read, i know other has said this before but the stag island is such a cool idea. /subscribed

Thanks.

Rod.

[TRITON1]

Love the tank. Could you comment on your Majestic angelfish. I'm curious how long you have had him, what size he was, juvi or adult, and how he does with your Sps, Lps, clams and any zooanthids or soft corals you may have. Thanks

[Rod the Reefer]

Hi John,

The Majestic is great. I've had him for a year now and he was a juvenile when I got him, about 2 inches.

As far as how he is with corals and clams, he's a model citizen. I don't have any soft corals, morphs or zoanthids in this tank, but he doesn't touch the Sps, Lps, clams or even Acans.

I have a friend who had a very well behaved Majestic and I bought mine from the same supplier, hoping I'd get a good one too, which I did!

Rod.

[NexDog]

Rod, awesome. Majestic in a reef......like it....alot.

[Claudio D]

Hi

Please some questions about complementary lightning and Solatubes

what is your lamp schedule?
do you have light on by night in order to enjoy your tank?

I live in Caracas, 11º north of the equator and considering solar lightning but I only get home after 6 or 7 at night, is the extra night light to much?

beautiful tank

thanks in advance, regards

Claudio

[sbleile]

Are there any updates on this tank?

[Rod the Reefer]

Originally Posted by NexDog

Rod, awesome. Majestic in a reef......like it....alot.

Me too!

Originally Posted by Claudio D

Hi

Please some questions about complementary lightning and Solatubes

what is your lamp schedule?
do you have light on by night in order to enjoy your tank?

I live in Caracas, 11º north of the equator and considering solar lightning but I only get home after 6 or 7 at night, is the extra night light to much?

beautiful tank

thanks in advance, regards

Claudio

Hi Claudio. Here's my Lighting Schedule:

9.30am - T5's on
10.30am - First Mh on
11.00am - Second Mh on
11.30am - Third Mh on
8.30pm - First Mh off
9.30pm - Second Mh off
10.00pm - Third Mh off
10.30pm - T5's off

So yes, I do enjoy my tank at night.

Time's been a bit scarce lately, but I'll try to get some pics up soon.

Rod.

[ej797]

Bump

[Rod the Reefer]

Well, we are back from our stay on Lady Elliot Island (GBR) and had a fantastic time!! Sorry to those looking for updates during this time.

Blew a gale the first few days and then calmed down, when the viz got to over 30 metres.

We swam with the turtles, manta rays, sting rays, sharks and acres of acros. Very tempted to bring some frags back, but of course I couldn't!

I think I will do a slight re-aquascape of my tank with all the inspiration I got from nature.

Rod.

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

Any pictures of the swim?

[Rod the Reefer]

Ok, this update is waaaay overdue.

I've been battling with the dreaded pink acro eating snails.

(I removed one just this morning)

Anyway, on with the show.........(Sorry the photos are a bit dodgy, it's been so long I've just about forgotten how to use my camera. )

[Rod the Reefer]

[Rod the Reefer]