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#1 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,517
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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.... |
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#2 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,517
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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 ![]() |
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#3 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Delray Beach, FL
Posts: 2,212
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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.
__________________
Rich nanoTOTM May '08 29 years saltwater, 19 years reefs Current Tank Info: 65 mixed reef |
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#4 |
part time superhero
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Deep in the Heart of the Snowbelt (NE OHIO)
Posts: 5,698
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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 |
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#5 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,517
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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 ![]() |
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#6 |
part time superhero
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Deep in the Heart of the Snowbelt (NE OHIO)
Posts: 5,698
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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 |
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#7 | ||
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,517
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Quote:
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#8 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New York City
Posts: 70
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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 |
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#9 |
Premium Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: South FL
Posts: 1,541
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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 |
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#10 | ||
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,517
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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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#11 | |
part time superhero
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Deep in the Heart of the Snowbelt (NE OHIO)
Posts: 5,698
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Quote:
__________________
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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#12 | |
REEF NERD
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: maryville tn-- work in knoxville
Posts: 4,187
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Quote:
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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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#13 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,517
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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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#14 |
Moved On
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 217
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Who makes solar tubes?
Do you have a link? |
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#16 |
Premium Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 2,353
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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 |
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#17 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,517
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how about some pics jim?
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#18 |
Premium Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SJ,CA
Posts: 1,694
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whoa, looks like your corals love their new light..kinda wish i can do that..
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#19 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: indy
Posts: 222
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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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#20 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,517
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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 ![]() ![]() |
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#21 |
Moved On
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Cape Coral, F.L.
Posts: 2,106
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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? |
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#22 |
Team RC Member
![]() Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 41,560
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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 |
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#23 |
Premium Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: South FL
Posts: 1,541
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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 |
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#24 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,517
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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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#25 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Largo, FL
Posts: 2,364
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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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