lighting with natural sun light

ameno · Nov 18, 2005

we are in the process of adding a master bedroom were I plan to move are 80gal hex. I am looking at running a tube sky light in for lighting, and trying to do some reseach on this type on lighting system. Has anyone tried piping in natural sunlight for there tank? It's looks like it may be a good idea but would like to get some input from others who may have done this are thought about doing this. Any thoughts?

ameno · Nov 18, 2005

surley someone out there has looked into this. The tube I looked at from lowes is 14" Dia. Which sould be big enough to light my 80 gal hex. for a longer tank it may take two lights. but still with the cost of around $150 for the light and not having to worry with the heat, timers and electricty it would be well worth it. unless there is something here I'm not seeing.

mitzel · Nov 18, 2005

The thing your missing is that trying to use natural light to heat and light your tank is very unreliable . What are you going to do in the winter when its over cast for a few days straight and the temp drops in your tank and the lack of light effects the tank? what are you going to do in the summer when the sun raises the temp of your tank well above the normal temp and the long summer days induce alge growth? What about the temp of your tank dropping at night when there is no sun light to warm it ?
using sunlight on a tank is just bad idea , its not a stable source.

ameno · Nov 18, 2005

these lights are entergy effecient,, so they don't bring in heat or cold. I am talk about using it for lighting only. you would still use a heater in the tank. The tank being in the house where the temp. is not a drastic change, a normal heater just like in my fresh water tank would keep the temp. in place. As for as overcast days I'm not sure but in the natural envirement there is days that are overcast and thing do great. I'm sure you would want moon lights for night since these light probably don't channel in moon light.

baytran7 · Nov 18, 2005

I plan on using this method to light my tank next year when i build my house. . here's my research on T5 VS MH, from using both, I get the best effects in growth from just opening the window and letting the sun hit my corals. when i use build this next year, i will still use t5s and actinics for color, but my main lighting will be the sun.

qreef · Nov 18, 2005

Anemo do you have the link or pics of the tube?
Thanks

sleasia · Nov 20, 2005

I don't have corals, just some inverts, fish and stuff that doesn't require intense lighting. I hung track light pendants over the tank and put daylight bulbs in. I keep them on from about 10:30 am to around 5:00 p.m. My tank is under sky lights which are not directly over the tank but off to the side about 3-4 feet. The real problem with sky lights is in the summer they give a big greenhouse effect and heat up the water. I had to buy a chiller and a uv sterilizer to have any success and I may still have remote shades put on the skylights....

lonestar · Nov 20, 2005

I use natural light on my tank. I am in the process of biulding the house (actually finished, just waiting on power now). The natural light through tubes seems to not add any heat to my tank. I had the tubes covered with a clear plastic bag while painting the house and everything was fine. Afterwards, a contractor covered the tubes with a black plastic bag that was almost instantly (within 5 minutes) melted. I have not moved any corals etc. over to the new tank yet (since power for pumps is unreliable) so I do not know how they will react. The tank has been running for a couple of months, and there is no algae at all. I do not plan on using much supplimental light, So far I am happy with the decision. It is unbelievable the amount of light those tubes put out.
Jeremy

qreef · Nov 21, 2005

Originally Posted by LoneStar
I use natural light on my tank. I am in the process of biulding the house (actually finished, just waiting on power now). The natural light through tubes seems to not add any heat to my tank. I had the tubes covered with a clear plastic bag while painting the house and everything was fine. Afterwards, a contractor covered the tubes with a black plastic bag that was almost instantly (within 5 minutes) melted. I have not moved any corals etc. over to the new tank yet (since power for pumps is unreliable) so I do not know how they will react. The tank has been running for a couple of months, and there is no algae at all. I do not plan on using much supplimental light, So far I am happy with the decision. It is unbelievable the amount of light those tubes put out.
Jeremy
Can you post a pic of the tubes.
Thanks

lonestar · Nov 21, 2005

Do an internet search for solatube. Should be lots of pics there.
Jeremy

jacknjill · Nov 21, 2005

i think it will just cause algae blooms

lonestar · Nov 21, 2005

I think I fit into the category of those who think algae blooms are more caused by poor water conditions rather than the spectrum of light. Only time will tell I guess.
Jeremy

ameno · Nov 21, 2005

It's good to see that people are using this type of lighting with success. Lonestar, how is the color with natural light compared to actinic lighting? Do you still have to run some actinic lighting for color? Im thinking in the winter maybe running some supliment lighting for after dark since it gets dark so early and the I like to look at the tank after dark.

lonestar · Nov 22, 2005

I would have to say that it really has no blue look at all however it definitely is not yellow like the 6500k bulbs. I have never ran a 10,000k bulb but have used the 6500k and 20,000k. Judging by that, I would have to say it is probably closer to the 10K. As of right now, I do not plan on using any supplimental lighting. The tank is "in wall" with no canopy. I figure if I want to see in at night, I will turn on the lights in the room where the tank is. The lighting in that room is dimmable and programmable so maybe I will add 1 button which will turn the lights on at 20% labled "tank" (or something).
I do not have many pictures. The pics I have are from 1 month ago before I added water and that was just to show someone how much (or how little) light comes out of the tubes.
Jeremy

ameno · Nov 22, 2005

thanks for the tips, this sounds like the way to go, even if I have to suppliment some lighting. I guess trial and error until I get everything the way I want it. Would sure be nice to get away from these MH bulbs and the heat it is putting on the tank now.

lonestar · Nov 22, 2005

I know the feeling. It is trial and error for me also. My biggest worry is that all of my SPSs will dull out. Everything went brown (but healthy) under the 6500s. It took almost a year for everything to color back up when I switched to the 20,000s. There is no switching back from the sun now. Hope they do not dull too bad.
Jeremy

ameno · Nov 22, 2005

I plan to go to this solar tube lighting in about four months when the room is finished and I make the dreeded move of the tank. Please keep me posted on how things are doing , or any tips that could be helpful. Thanks

qreef · Nov 23, 2005

hey guys I found a guy using sola tube for almost 2yrs. also pic

nitram · Nov 24, 2005

This is very interesting. I am eager to see how this works out for you. The guy that has run the lights for 2 years has he had any problems and what types of coral does he have in it. Also how much light will it produce and will it be enough?

qreef · Nov 24, 2005

Originally Posted by NITRAM
This is very interesting. I am eager to see how this works out for you. The guy that has run the lights for 2 years has he had any problems and what types of coral does he have in it. Also how much light will it produce and will it be enough?

I not sure what all the type of corals he have under sola tube. Also his place is a coral reseach farm.

lighting with natural sun light

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Member

Member

Active Member

Member

Member

Member

Active Member

Member

Active Member

Member

Active Member

Member

Active Member

Member

Member

Member