Solatube lighting

[mj1333]

Has anybody used or are using these to light a reef tank?
I've looked at a couple if threads and it looks interesting. Anybody have one set up I could come check out?

http://www.solatube.com/residential/...-your-aquarium

[BajaReefs]

check out sunlitreef, I think he still has something similar

[BajaReefs]

http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/showth...plemented-Reef

[SmilinAvnger]

The solatubes look great! I would be interested in knowing/seeing how they look and what kind of PAR readings you get out of those.

I think Sunlitreefs tubes are similar but maybe a step down from what these advertise to be.

Nice set up though! Wish he would post more pics of the mermaid!

[knightnsd]

I looked into these on my 300 but was talked out of them by a buddy and also a thread that said after a year their tank was doing poorly. I think they completed a par value on the thread at the beginning and before re-lighting the tank a year later and found a lot of rust damage up the tubes that hindered the light reflection. I am not sure what variety you are considering but if they have reflectors in them they may degenerate over time. I wish I still had the thread I read up to post that changed my mind. They may fair better with fresh water or with regular cleaning to prevent the salt build up

[davocean]

It's been done by a number of people but your viewing of tank is only during daylight unless you supplement, and if you do that it would make for a pretty long photoperiod.
Those things kick off a lot more light than most would expect, and I see plenty here by the beach, and pretty well sealed to weather, so I would be really surprised to hear of rusting reflectors unless they were cheap knock offs or installed improperly.

[mj1333]

Good point about the photoperiod. Guess I could enjoy actinic in the evening? I wouldn't be doing any hardcore sps, just fish and softies, maybe an anemone or two. I'm not just looking for light, looking to save electricity also. My electric bill is already thru the roof.


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[davocean]

I think they are an awesome idea if you are good w/ daylight viewing and actinic at night, they do cast a lot of light, and nice color from ones I've seen, and they have come down in price a bit from when they first came out.
I'd like to see it done.