Gone Solar In California - Page 11

Scungili · 03/17/2010, 05:47 AM

bump

jdargonaut · 03/17/2010, 06:20 AM

I also want to go with solatubes, but at $350 ea for 14", I was thinking about going for a full skylight and wrapping the skylight shaft with solatube material. Anyone try this yet? Think it would get the same effect?

I'm also thinking it might light the tank more evenly.

Reefski's · 03/17/2010, 06:27 AM

yes i did. it really works.

camaroboy8691 · 03/17/2010, 07:47 AM

hmmm that skylight idea may be the ticket , allowing even lighting rather than "spot" lighting like the solar tubes do ..... anyone know the material in which the solar tubes are made of ? the reflective part ? it might be possible to buy the material and make the tubes yourself or the enclosure to direct light down

off to google i go .... need to source the material . lol

David - Miami · 03/17/2010, 08:40 AM

Wow, sorry to hear about the crash. I live in an apartment, but when I move to a house I had already decided to go with a similar setup to yours. I wonder what that chemical did.

Impressive Reefski. Do you have a thread as well?

Reefski's · 03/17/2010, 08:47 AM

this is what i used. http://www.anomet.com/index.html the miro 4. same stuff the reflector companies use.

you can see my thread by clicking on my homepage.

Carl

swenholz · 03/17/2010, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scungili

Has anyone tried regular skylights?

I want to go solar, but I don't want the ugly bumps on my roof. (being that you can see it from the front) I've been meaning to put some skylights in my house and I could just frame on in directly over my tank and I have some ideas on how to work in the actinics.

I am planning on using a 24"x48" standard skylight for mine and channel the light to 10-12" from the surface of the water. Still in the construction phase though.

mcarroll · 03/17/2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUILLO1

I got mine from rosco. I got number 357 royal lavender, its just hard to see how dark they are from the online samples.

It says on their website that the #357 only has 5% transmission. That's one of the lowest light transmission rates I see listed.

If one looks at the data sheet (little, unlabeled graph icon) for this filter, it's pretty obvious that most visible light (around and through the green wavelengths) is blocked almost completely. 40-50% of blue light is allowed through, but almost 90% of red light is allowed.

If you could test another filter, I'd suggest maybe #3313 or #3308 which are primarily intended to absorb some of the green and yellow hues and transmit most all the rest of the light.

Really all you're trying to do (I think) is to tailor the look of daylight to be more blue - more to your tastes. I'm pretty sure this just translates to filtering out some of the green and yellow light, but otherwise transmitting as much of the rest of the light as possible to your corals.

It might be worth calling them (800# and they are local to Glendale, CA, 818 area code) to consult a bit too....they have many many variations, several of which appear to be pretty close to what you'd want. Someone expert with their product line could probably point you in the right direction quickly. Also lots of info in their "Tech Info" area about selecting and using filters.

-Matt

P.S. I don't know jack about filters, but was intrigued by the post and had to start reading! Thanks!!

mcarroll · 03/17/2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUILLO1

i went with the brand Solatubes and I am using 3 14inch tubes. Look at solatubes website they show how much light different areas of the country will get through tubes.

They don't qualify for the tax credit the smaller tubes do, but Solatube also makes a 21" tube, FYI.

-Matt

GUILLO1 · 03/17/2010, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcarroll

It says on their website that the #357 only has 5% transmission. That's one of the lowest light transmission rates I see listed.

If one looks at the data sheet (little, unlabeled graph icon) for this filter, it's pretty obvious that most visible light (around and through the green wavelengths) is blocked almost completely. 40-50% of blue light is allowed through, but almost 90% of red light is allowed.

If you could test another filter, I'd suggest maybe #3313 or #3308 which are primarily intended to absorb some of the green and yellow hues and transmit most all the rest of the light.

Really all you're trying to do (I think) is to tailor the look of daylight to be more blue - more to your tastes. I'm pretty sure this just translates to filtering out some of the green and yellow light, but otherwise transmitting as much of the rest of the light as possible to your corals.

It might be worth calling them (800# and they are local to Glendale, CA, 818 area code) to consult a bit too....they have many many variations, several of which appear to be pretty close to what you'd want. Someone expert with their product line could probably point you in the right direction quickly. Also lots of info in their "Tech Info" area about selecting and using filters.

-Matt

P.S. I don't know jack about filters, but was intrigued by the post and had to start reading! Thanks!!

I ended up buying some plastic films from an Arts & Crafts store. I forgot what they call them but they are way cheaper than the ones I ordered online. I still ended up taking them off a month later.

GUILLO1 · 03/17/2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcarroll

They don't qualify for the tax credit the smaller tubes do, but Solatube also makes a 21" tube, FYI.

-Matt

I wasn't aware of any tax credits but I went with the 14" because it was a better fit to where my tank was set. If I ever set a tank at home I would most likely use the 21" tubes.

GUILLO1 · 03/17/2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefski's

yes i did. it really works.

got to love the sun light right Reefski......From now until October I wont even run a heater in my tank. I just unplugged it yesterday. I have a fan that cools it down when it gets a little hot from the T5's. My tubes have paid for themselves 3 times over.

Penguintheory · 03/17/2010, 12:41 PM

Awesome set-up! Nice job

GUILLO1 · 03/17/2010, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penguintheory

Awesome set-up! Nice job

thanx

david pinder · 03/17/2010, 02:51 PM

I did 3, 21 inch yubes on 2 of my tanks. Cut my lighting 60% on 1200 gal the and 95% on the 600 gal there I run only 55 wts of leds for a few hours after dark for viewing. Have had problems with bleaching sps on the first tank but 10 days later the second tank with little supplements is doing great. Did hang the tubes differntly on second tank and thinking about redoing the first.

erics3000 · 03/17/2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david pinder

I did 3, 21 inch yubes on 2 of my tanks. Cut my lighting 60% on 1200 gal the and 95% on the 600 gal there I run only 55 wts of leds for a few hours after dark for viewing. Have had problems with bleaching sps on the first tank but 10 days later the second tank with little supplements is doing great. Did hang the tubes differntly on second tank and thinking about redoing the first.

DO you have any pics or a thread?

Scungili · 03/17/2010, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefski's

yes i did. it really works.

can we see some more pics of your set-up? Man, there is no light like sunlight!

david pinder · 03/18/2010, 03:52 AM

I have pics dont know how to post here

Reefski's · 03/18/2010, 05:39 AM

get a photobucket.com account and post there and then put the link in your post.

click on my avatar and then homepage and it will take you to my tank build thread. i have had lots of issues with my tank not related to the sun light. i am going to be emptying my tank to rebuild it in the next few weeks.

Carl

jdargonaut · 03/18/2010, 06:47 AM

That looks awesome Reefski, exactly what I was picturing in my head. Thanks for the info.

GUILLO1 · 03/18/2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefski's

get a photobucket.com account and post there and then put the link in your post.

click on my avatar and then homepage and it will take you to my tank build thread. i have had lots of issues with my tank not related to the sun light. i am going to be emptying my tank to rebuild it in the next few weeks.

Carl

you serious man.....What sort of issues are you having?

David - Miami · 03/18/2010, 10:04 AM

Maybe it is similar to his chemi clean problem?

Reefski's · 03/18/2010, 11:26 AM

check my thread for many more details.

GUILLO1 · 04/01/2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefski's

check my thread for many more details.

I just read over your thread.....That sux that you had so many problems with your corals. I hope you can pin point what is causing your problems.

GUILLO1 · 04/01/2010, 12:20 PM

i haven't up dated this thread in a while mostly because I had what I thought was a really bad crash. I treated my tank with chemi clean and something went really bad.

It looked like I was going to loose most of my SPS but they all made an incredible return. Many still have lots of areas with dead flesh but it seems like its not killing them no more.

I'll try and bring my camera tomorrow so that i could take some pictures.

03/17/2010, 08:40 AM	#255
David - Miami Aquanot! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 661	Wow, sorry to hear about the crash. I live in an apartment, but when I move to a house I had already decided to go with a similar setup to yours. I wonder what that chemical did. Impressive Reefski. Do you have a thread as well? __________________ Whatever Happens...Happens!

03/18/2010, 10:04 AM	#272
David - Miami Aquanot! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 661	Maybe it is similar to his chemi clean problem? __________________ Whatever Happens...Happens!

03/17/2010, 05:47 AM	#251
Scungili Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: st petersburg Posts: 376	bump

03/17/2010, 06:20 AM	#252
jdargonaut Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: san diego Posts: 91	I also want to go with solatubes, but at $350 ea for 14", I was thinking about going for a full skylight and wrapping the skylight shaft with solatube material. Anyone try this yet? Think it would get the same effect? I'm also thinking it might light the tank more evenly.

03/17/2010, 06:27 AM	#253
Reefski's Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Topanga Posts: 3,016	yes i did. it really works.

03/17/2010, 07:47 AM	#254
camaroboy8691 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: tower city pa 17980 Posts: 264	hmmm that skylight idea may be the ticket , allowing even lighting rather than "spot" lighting like the solar tubes do ..... anyone know the material in which the solar tubes are made of ? the reflective part ? it might be possible to buy the material and make the tubes yourself or the enclosure to direct light down off to google i go .... need to source the material . lol

03/17/2010, 08:47 AM	#256
Reefski's Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Topanga Posts: 3,016	this is what i used. http://www.anomet.com/index.html the miro 4. same stuff the reflector companies use. you can see my thread by clicking on my homepage. Carl

03/17/2010, 12:41 PM	#263
Penguintheory Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoria, Az Posts: 352	Awesome set-up! Nice job

03/17/2010, 02:51 PM	#265
david pinder Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: houston tx 77316 Posts: 538	I did 3, 21 inch yubes on 2 of my tanks. Cut my lighting 60% on 1200 gal the and 95% on the 600 gal there I run only 55 wts of leds for a few hours after dark for viewing. Have had problems with bleaching sps on the first tank but 10 days later the second tank with little supplements is doing great. Did hang the tubes differntly on second tank and thinking about redoing the first.

03/18/2010, 03:52 AM	#268
david pinder Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: houston tx 77316 Posts: 538	I have pics dont know how to post here

03/18/2010, 05:39 AM	#269
Reefski's Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Topanga Posts: 3,016	get a photobucket.com account and post there and then put the link in your post. click on my avatar and then homepage and it will take you to my tank build thread. i have had lots of issues with my tank not related to the sun light. i am going to be emptying my tank to rebuild it in the next few weeks. Carl

03/18/2010, 06:47 AM	#270
jdargonaut Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: san diego Posts: 91	That looks awesome Reefski, exactly what I was picturing in my head. Thanks for the info.

03/18/2010, 11:26 AM	#273
Reefski's Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Topanga Posts: 3,016	check my thread for many more details.

04/01/2010, 12:20 PM	#275
GUILLO1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: California Central Coast Posts: 692	i haven't up dated this thread in a while mostly because I had what I thought was a really bad crash. I treated my tank with chemi clean and something went really bad. It looked like I was going to loose most of my SPS but they all made an incredible return. Many still have lots of areas with dead flesh but it seems like its not killing them no more. I'll try and bring my camera tomorrow so that i could take some pictures.