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Unread 08/23/2008, 07:34 PM   #26
NanoReefWanabe
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that is amazing...i am quite impressed with the overall look of the tubes and their termination in the house as well...very nice job...i really like the open top look to the tank now...i am sure the combination of removing all the ballast and those huge hot bulbs along with removing the canopy has huge effects on the lack of heat you are now experiencing..

i wonder if these tubes come with horizontal exterior termination kits? i will have no way of running tubes through my second floor....but i have no problems cutting a bunch of 14" holes in the side of my house..(the south side)

man i cant wait my for my new tank LOL..


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Unread 08/23/2008, 07:43 PM   #27
hobogato
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any deviation from straight line decreases the amount of light transferred. the manufacturer of the ones i used recommends no more than a 15 degree bend. the bell shape on the bottom of the tubes is actually a modified plastic planter from lowe's they actually look better now than in the picture because i sealed all of the seams on the tubes and where they join the plastic bezel on top and bottom with calk that was smoothed to give the appearance of one solid piece. the bells are coated with reflective chrome paint on the inside to direct all sun rays down into the tank without letting them escape over the top edge.


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Unread 08/23/2008, 07:48 PM   #28
CMcNeil
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first off,great looking tank before the transformation,but now WOWWOW.i think it looks better as far as the woodwork and the way the top is trimmed out.the SPS colors seem to be improviing with the solar tubes very nice job


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Unread 08/23/2008, 08:41 PM   #29
belgian_waffleman
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Great idea! As others have said, not that great here up north, I think

How is the moonlight effect on this?
I have read that these solar tubes can light a room just from the moonlight.

Waffleman


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Unread 08/23/2008, 08:44 PM   #30
hobogato
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i waited eagerly for a full moon for two weeks after installation, and when it came so did the clouds... hopefully it will stay clear on the next one


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Unread 08/23/2008, 09:12 PM   #31
barnett8
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Quote:
Originally posted by hobogato
here it is at night when the actinics are still on (looks like im calling aliens )
Ha! What do your neighbors think of that.

I love that you actually took the initiative to get the Solatubes.

Must save a ton on the electric bill too.


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Unread 08/23/2008, 09:44 PM   #32
hobogato
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it actually isnt very visible from the front of the house - you would really have to be looking for it.....

electricity bill was $170 lower this month with only three of the four weeks affected by the change to solar. we made a couple of other efficiency improvements as well tho, so all of the savings cant be attributed to the change.


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Unread 08/23/2008, 09:57 PM   #33
spleify
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Absolutely awesome!! Great job . The corals are loving th enew setup, and I'm sure you are too after hearing about the electric bill saving every month.
Again, really awesome and thanks so much for sharing.

Spleify


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Unread 08/23/2008, 10:01 PM   #34
jpa0741
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Thanks for putting so many ideas in everybodys heads around here. I wonder what the wife will think when she finds me cutting holes in the roof and I tell her it is for the tank. Those progression pics are awesome and looks to be more then enough light. Bravo, I must say this is my new must have future upgrade someday.


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Unread 08/23/2008, 10:05 PM   #35
serpentman
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Quote:
Originally posted by jpa0741
Thanks for putting so many ideas in everybodys heads around here. I wonder what the wife will think when she finds me cutting holes in the roof and I tell her it is for the tank.
Better to ask for forgiveness than for permission. Unfortunately, even if it saved me $500/mo, I am not sure I could convince mine. Plus, here in Ohio, I wonder how effective it would be (I'll keep telling myself that).


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Unread 08/23/2008, 10:07 PM   #36
NewSchool04
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What do you think about the color? How does the natural light look to the eye compared to your old MH?


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Unread 08/23/2008, 10:21 PM   #37
jmadison
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Awesome job! Looks like the color is really begginning to pop! Congrats on the savings too, thats about 170 more dollars to 'improve' ur tank each month hahah. not that yours needs any work!!! nice job keep it up!


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Unread 08/23/2008, 11:11 PM   #38
REEF-n-Chicago
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Awesome! really great idea....
Is it very yellow or do the atinics balance it out?


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Unread 08/24/2008, 06:02 AM   #39
hobogato
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thanks for the comments all!


the color is less yellow than the camera pics up, and the actinics do a great job for the most part. the brightest two or three hours is the only time where it seems i could use just a little more actinic.

Quote:
Originally posted by REEF-n-Chicago
Awesome! really great idea....
Is it very yellow or do the atinics balance it out?
Quote:
Originally posted by NewSchool04
What do you think about the color? How does the natural light look to the eye compared to your old MH?



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Unread 08/24/2008, 06:29 AM   #40
PnoyReefeR
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Nice Ace!.. I was following your thread over the Large tank forum and I am speechless on your set up. Those Solar tube are nice.. Keep us updated so far all your corals looks really happy and starting to color up.. Thanks man!


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Unread 08/24/2008, 07:27 AM   #41
JMBoehling
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Quote:
Originally posted by hobogato
how about some pics jim?
Here is a quick video showing the sun beaming in.. Couple others can be seen in my Photobucket album

http://s71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...t=P6100146.flv

Jim


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Unread 08/24/2008, 07:36 AM   #42
hobogato
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oh yeah jim, i remember now, my changeover was partially your fault - your tank was one that helped convince me


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Unread 08/24/2008, 07:47 AM   #43
kev apsley
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I think this is a tremendous idea, it is forward thinking like this that keeps the hobby growing everyday!

Congrats to you and your accomplishment! it is a stunning looking tank and pure genius!


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Unread 08/24/2008, 08:51 AM   #44
rogergolf66
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I have been wanting to do this for about 2 years now. I even called solartubes and told them I wanted to be a test tank for them, so they could market to fish tank lighting they didn't take me up on it

really looking forward to the long turn results you get.

Roger


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Unread 08/24/2008, 09:29 AM   #45
poknsnok
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http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1456867

check out this natural sunlight SPS tank!


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Unread 08/24/2008, 09:29 AM   #46
scaryperson27
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Do you have a lot more algae growth? I wonder if you could stick a blue tinted glass over the sunlights and do away with the actinics completly!!


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Unread 08/24/2008, 09:40 AM   #47
hobogato
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no, the algae actually doesnt grow quite as fast on the glass. as a matter of fact, the patches of bryopsis i had been battling for two years thinned and completely disappeared by the end of the first week. another local reefer and i are doing some research into why that happened right now, and it is looking promising.....


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Unread 08/24/2008, 10:02 AM   #48
ReefingBuddha
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very cool. I'm thinking of doing the same on my next tank. Could you give us a idea of the light spread? My tank is going to be 60"x60" so I was wondering if a 21" unit high up with t5's along the edge would do the job.

Thanks, great setup BTW.


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Unread 08/24/2008, 10:03 AM   #49
screamincamaro
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Tagging along great thread.


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Unread 08/24/2008, 10:20 AM   #50
Goodwood
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My folks have these in a bathroom without windows, and they are super bright.

I was thinking how I could put them over a tank when I first saw them, nice work Hobo.


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