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09/23/2008, 01:09 PM | #351 |
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i would go with as many as you can fit over the tank. one in each bay between the rafters,
my local HD carries Velux which is pricey so solatubes may be less. which one is more in your case? and what caused the $800 difference? i would want to know what material they use for the shaft and it's spectral reflective qualities. there are differences. any tube skylight should not be too expensive to install. after all there are only holes at both ends to cut. should be no framing and only a bit of tie in to properly integrate it into your existing roof. Go for it! you won't be sorry? Carl |
09/23/2008, 01:55 PM | #352 |
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SolaTube brand cost about 395.00 per 14" Tube VS 270.00 for a 14" ODL or Velux.. Thats where some of the 800 difference is from. Not sure where they got 800 bucks from.
I find it hard to believe also that the Sola Tube brand tubes are worth that much extra$$ Velux and ODL both say the tubes are made out of 95% reflective metal. Anyone had both or seen both. Any coment on the price difference. Is it just the brand your paying for?
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The problem with political jokes is they get elected. OK, so what's the speed of dark? Why do we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway? Isn't is it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice"? Current Tank Info: Custom Starfire 300,92Gallon,35 Gallon Hex,Two 40Gallons,125Gallon, |
09/23/2008, 01:58 PM | #353 |
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HD was cheaper and I believe it was Velux. As for the difference, that is one of my questions for tomorrow. Fortunately for me, the tank runs parallel with the roof joists. Of course, with my luck, there is probably one centered directly of the the tank!!
I don't plan on installing myself. If I am going to have holes cut in my roof, I want a warranty. Tile roof in south Florida, I'm just asking for trouble with the roof flashing.
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Be kind to animals.....kiss a shark! "Great things happen when you start to add more light. The heavens open, angels sing and there is Peace on Earth" RockDoc Current Tank Info: 300 gallon stony reef, 300 gallon softie tank, 120 gallon FW/Orchid tank |
09/23/2008, 03:12 PM | #354 |
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hoboegato
I am planning out my new tank it is 72x48x24 i am thinking about going with the solar tubes 6x 13" tubes what spaceing did you use on center? I have my lights now on my 72" 210 @ 13" 36" 59"
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-Rich- Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef and 125 gallon anemone/frag tank |
09/23/2008, 07:48 PM | #355 |
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tile roofs are a bit harder to flash. is it a flat tile or curved? i would definitely have the professional do it. tile roofs can be more of a pain. tiles are also prone to breaking just walking and working on the roof.
make sure there aren't more broken that when they start. are the installers roofing contractors as the should be or what is their license? here in california you can check on any contractors license online at the CSLB.com website. Carl |
09/23/2008, 08:14 PM | #356 |
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Well I looked at a 10" ODL today at home depot and I got to say I wasn't super inpressed with the dome.. The kit looked pretty good though and seemed to include everything you need.. But the dome was very thin and cheap feeling.. It even had a pretty big blemish on the top center from when it was molded.. Looked like the bottom of a plastic bowl. The Velux dome looked better. As in it was crystal clear seemed thicker and didn't have a large blemish from being molded.
The ODL had ridges on one side of it. I guess to help collect sunlight? The Velux was just a clear dome. But the only Velux I could find was a low profile.. The standard ones might have a different dome. There isn't a SolaTube dealer close by to me so I can't see one of those in person
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The problem with political jokes is they get elected. OK, so what's the speed of dark? Why do we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway? Isn't is it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice"? Current Tank Info: Custom Starfire 300,92Gallon,35 Gallon Hex,Two 40Gallons,125Gallon, |
09/23/2008, 08:23 PM | #357 | |
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Quote:
I already set up 3 flahings for an in wall tank that I'm doing. I am going with 3 14" solatubes. |
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09/23/2008, 08:58 PM | #358 | |
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Quote:
__________________
The problem with political jokes is they get elected. OK, so what's the speed of dark? Why do we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway? Isn't is it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice"? Current Tank Info: Custom Starfire 300,92Gallon,35 Gallon Hex,Two 40Gallons,125Gallon, |
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09/24/2008, 12:34 AM | #359 |
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That is so cool, I wish that was an option for me, I would like to keep seeing the progression.
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09/24/2008, 07:58 AM | #360 | |
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Quote:
Installer is a licensed contractor that specializes in solar tubes, skylights and roof vents. |
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09/24/2008, 08:08 AM | #361 |
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As for the cost difference....The HD price works out to about $428 per tube (14"). Includes 3 foot extension (not enough) and does not include sales tax. I'm going to need about 6-7 feet of extension.
Other guy was $699 installed, all inclusive. I described it over the phone and that was his price. I still told him to come by to look anway before giving it to me in writing. I'm not moving the tank to allow for easier access!!!! So, when you factor in sales tax (6%) and extra extensions, the cost difference is significantly less than $800. |
09/24/2008, 08:32 AM | #362 |
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Another consideration is coral acclimation. The way my roof joists are oriented and tank location (both are oriented east-west), in the summer months the tank will have direct overhead sun for a little bit each day. There will be a direct line of site from the solar tubes to the sun almost the entire day (basically, from about 0.5 hours after sun rise to about 2 hours before sunset). No trees on that side of the house. solar tubes will be almost at the peak of the roof and the house behind me is a single story and sits off to the side (north) and not directly between my house and the sunrise. Vacant lot across the street (west) with a couple of very tall pine trees that partially filter the evening sun.
If I do this, I'll have the installation done in December to allow the corals a more "natural" aclimation period to the intense month. I'm also toying with putting a light filter (something very light blue) to try to eliminate some of the yellow appearance.
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Be kind to animals.....kiss a shark! "Great things happen when you start to add more light. The heavens open, angels sing and there is Peace on Earth" RockDoc Current Tank Info: 300 gallon stony reef, 300 gallon softie tank, 120 gallon FW/Orchid tank |
09/24/2008, 09:41 AM | #363 |
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If I missed it please forgive me. What about hail damage? Always concerned with this due to my location.
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09/24/2008, 10:11 AM | #364 | |
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Quote:
__________________
The problem with political jokes is they get elected. OK, so what's the speed of dark? Why do we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway? Isn't is it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice"? Current Tank Info: Custom Starfire 300,92Gallon,35 Gallon Hex,Two 40Gallons,125Gallon, |
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09/24/2008, 10:14 AM | #365 | |
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Quote:
__________________
The problem with political jokes is they get elected. OK, so what's the speed of dark? Why do we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway? Isn't is it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice"? Current Tank Info: Custom Starfire 300,92Gallon,35 Gallon Hex,Two 40Gallons,125Gallon, |
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09/24/2008, 01:41 PM | #366 |
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Keep in mind, those are installed costs. I want a warranty on the kit and the installation. It rains a lot here.
The solatube installer just left. He has a 10 year warranty on parts and a 5 year warranty on installation. As for hail damage, usually not a problem here. More flying debris during rainy season (i.e. hurricanes) Now that I've seen both, I think that the extra for solatubes is money well spent for a reef tank. If I was just doing it to light a room, I would probably go with the HD brand.
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Be kind to animals.....kiss a shark! "Great things happen when you start to add more light. The heavens open, angels sing and there is Peace on Earth" RockDoc Current Tank Info: 300 gallon stony reef, 300 gallon softie tank, 120 gallon FW/Orchid tank |
09/24/2008, 01:49 PM | #367 | |
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Quote:
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09/24/2008, 02:19 PM | #368 | |
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Quote:
__________________
The problem with political jokes is they get elected. OK, so what's the speed of dark? Why do we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway? Isn't is it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice"? Current Tank Info: Custom Starfire 300,92Gallon,35 Gallon Hex,Two 40Gallons,125Gallon, |
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09/24/2008, 02:35 PM | #369 |
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hobogato
Do you have the diffusers on the ends of the tubes? Jeff
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Be kind to animals.....kiss a shark! "Great things happen when you start to add more light. The heavens open, angels sing and there is Peace on Earth" RockDoc Current Tank Info: 300 gallon stony reef, 300 gallon softie tank, 120 gallon FW/Orchid tank |
09/24/2008, 02:54 PM | #370 |
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jeff, my tubes have the polycarbonate dome on the top, but no diffuser on the inside. i tried them at first but they took out too much light
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09/24/2008, 03:16 PM | #371 |
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You could just replace the plastic in the diffuser with clear Acrylic to keep the tube clean.. The dealer told me he had a few clear diffusers used for displays. But that it was just a Diffuser with a piece of acrylic stuck in it.
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The problem with political jokes is they get elected. OK, so what's the speed of dark? Why do we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway? Isn't is it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice"? Current Tank Info: Custom Starfire 300,92Gallon,35 Gallon Hex,Two 40Gallons,125Gallon, |
09/24/2008, 04:12 PM | #372 |
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Did you put these in or did you have it done? Just wondering how much of a job it is.
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09/24/2008, 05:10 PM | #373 |
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Jeff, I'm in South Florida, so I'm just curious what your guy said about Hurricanes? Is there a way to replace the dome with a metal plate or something pre-Hurricane?
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09/24/2008, 05:17 PM | #374 | |
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Quote:
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09/24/2008, 06:01 PM | #375 |
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The dome I looked at had an inner "shock" dome. I guess you could pull the top off and put a metal cap on.
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Be kind to animals.....kiss a shark! "Great things happen when you start to add more light. The heavens open, angels sing and there is Peace on Earth" RockDoc Current Tank Info: 300 gallon stony reef, 300 gallon softie tank, 120 gallon FW/Orchid tank |
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