rreef tank with Solatube skylight?

Discussion in 'Reef Lighting' started by James_SD, Jun 17, 2011.

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  1. James_SD

    James_SD Plankton

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    Is is possible to run a reef tank with a Solatube type skylight? I would not be attempting any difficult corals, just whatever grew from the live rock. Tank is somewhat high and on a very high stand (my eye level when standing is midtank) so it is fairly close to the ceiling. Thanks.

    James
     
    James_SD, Jun 17, 2011
    James_SD, Jun 17, 2011
    #1

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  2. Reef-a-holic

    Reef-a-holic 3reef Sponsor

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    [​IMG]

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    Reef-a-holic, Jun 18, 2011
    Reef-a-holic, Jun 18, 2011
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  3. Zeyphon

    Zeyphon Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Very cool, but I guess it would only work in consistently warm and sunny climates which sucks for people in Canada. Also, the colour seems a little off, I don't like 20K Kelvin look in alot of what I call "Windex tanks" but this doesn't even look like 10K. Maybe with some actinic T5's or LEDs.
     
    Zeyphon, Jun 18, 2011
    Zeyphon, Jun 18, 2011
    #3
  4. OrphekUSA

    OrphekUSA 3reef Sponsor

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    Can't beat NSL! Most areas have enough sunlight to grow coral - Anthony Calfo had a propagation facility in Philly!
     
    OrphekUSA, Jun 18, 2011
    OrphekUSA, Jun 18, 2011
    #4
  5. khowst

    khowst Bangghai Cardinal

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    Liking the color of the light & the coral liking the light are two different things though.
     
    khowst, Jun 18, 2011
    khowst, Jun 18, 2011
    #5
  6. Zeyphon

    Zeyphon Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    True, and to clarify, when I said the colour seems off I meant it looks unnatractive to me because of how yellow it is, the coral probably like it more than what normally goes over reef tanks.
     
    Zeyphon, Jun 18, 2011
    Zeyphon, Jun 18, 2011
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  7. m2434

    m2434 Giant Squid

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    I think results with Solo-Tubes have been mixed. Corals aren't adapted to the unfiltered spectrum of the sun, nor the unfiltered intensity. So, there is reason some might think it isn't optimal and people seem to have mixed results, from the threads I've seen. I've noticed a lot end up giving up and going back to artificial lighting for various reasons. I'd still be tempered to try it, if I every did a bigger tank though especially.

    Here is an interesting article on lighting:
    Feature Article: The Best Lamp Is... — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine
     
    m2434, Jun 18, 2011
    m2434, Jun 18, 2011
    #7