sola tubes anyone got em?

livingreef2004 · 12-30-2004, 11:36 AM

i was wondering if anyone is using these on there reef tanks.
they make a light buld attachment that is placed in the tube i was thinking if it were vented it could house a mh mogul socket .

let me know what you all think

heres a link to there site if you are not familiar with sola tubes

http://www.solatube.com/res_accessories_light_kit.php

DaveK · 12-30-2004, 03:03 PM

To my eyes, the tupe part of a sola tube looks a lot like a length standard round metal ductwork, available at any place like home depot. Usually ductwork is galvanized steel, and this would not be good around a reef for a number of reasons. The sola tube may be something like stainless steel, or aluminum which would be a lot better.

I see couple possible probelems with using a straight tube for MH lighting. First, since it's a tube rather than a parabolic reflector, you are going to loose a lot of the light the MH bulbs generate. Second, it's best to install glass between a MH bulb and the tank. This could be a little tricky, because you are dealing with a round tube. Third, note that the sola tube light is only a 100w light bulb. This is nothing compared to the heat a MH bulb will produce. There might be a heat problem. None of these problems would be impossible to overcome.

While I think you could get something like this to work, and it would be OK, I think you'd do a lot better getting pendant reflectors or square reflectors.

You are going to spend a bundle on a ballast, socket, and bulb for MH. Why make it less that what it could be, by going with a poor reflector?

LuckyInk · 12-30-2004, 07:56 PM

I thought about solatubes for a while too. The big draw with them is that you use natural sunlight to illuminate your tank. I like the idea of adding a MH for those not so clear days. Plus, since heat rises, you may not have too big of an issue with the tank overheating. I wonder if you could add an exaust fan and duct to the side of the tube, pumping the warm air out to the attic or outside....

LuckyInk · 12-30-2004, 08:01 PM

And in case you didn't see it on RC, here are some pics of solatubes in use:

http://home.iprimus.com.au/jmfaz/index.htm

http://home.iprimus.com.au/aurorabridal/Doc1.htm

http://home.iprimus.com.au/aurorabridal/massa.htm

mps9506 · 12-30-2004, 09:16 PM

Seen these used in person down in florida at a guy's house. They looked SWEET.
They are not ideal for all tanks (I would never use one, I like my metal halides) but if I had the space, the house and location I would seriously consider one to illuminate a large tank that housed softies.

livingreef2004 · 12-30-2004, 09:35 PM

davek the tubes are made out of the most reflective material known so i think it would channel the light just fine i am mainly concerned about heat and condensation at the top of the light tube

luckyink i was thinking the same about exhausting the tube from the top since heat rises

i believe if the tubes arent too expensive that i will try this in my new house this spring ill keep you all posted and thanks for the input

wish me luck lol i hope it works

mps9506 · 12-30-2004, 09:38 PM

they make for a very nice display.
I don't think you would have much trouble ventilating the tubes. If you do decide to do this post the pics of the progress.

DaveK · 12-30-2004, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livingreef2004

davek the tubes are made out of the most reflective material known so i think it would channel the light just fine i am mainly concerned about heat and condensation at the top of the light tube

luckyink i was thinking the same about exhausting the tube from the top since heat rises

i believe if the tubes arent too expensive that i will try this in my new house this spring ill keep you all posted and thanks for the input

wish me luck lol i hope it works

If you are planning to use the sola tubes to bring in sunlight from the outside for your reef, I'd say that this would be a great use for them. Many people report that corals do best under natural light.

In that case though, I think I'd want my MHs in a different fixture, because then I would not want to block the natural sunlight. Although, it is true that a properly mounted MH bulb wouldn't block too much.

I would ask about the material the tube is made of, and if it can take the temp you'll get from a MH.

Good luck on this interesting project.

RanRoc · 12-30-2004, 10:24 PM

My aunt uses them in her home in Tampa to light up the rooms. They're pretty bright. In Paletta's Ultimate Reef Aquariums, a hobbyists uses one on his tank, and there is a noticeable difference between the side that uses it vs. the other side that uses halides. I agree with DaveK in that I would not put the halide in the tube, but use the tube as it was intended for natural sunlight and use seperate fixtures for MH or actinics. JMHO.
-RY

Dakota · 12-30-2004, 11:05 PM

ok im a roofing contractor and have installed lots of these in roofs they do give of a fair amount of light, enough to light a tank? depends on lots not sure what the metal maybe polished alum but its very reflective.its not galvie. i think the biggest problem is cost i know in my parts to purchase and install your talking 400-500 dollars depeding on roof type ( if tile you willneed sheetmetal addition to flashing )and pitch (dont try yourself if 8/12 or above) u could do yourself and save money but most likely youll get a roof leak and cost more in long run. now if u need 2 or 3 look at cost way up there. good idea but not sure on feaseability.

12-30-2004, 11:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
livingreef2004 Cabbage Leather Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: chambersburg,pa Posts: 399 View Gallery Karma Komment	sola tubes anyone got em? i was wondering if anyone is using these on there reef tanks. they make a light buld attachment that is placed in the tube i was thinking if it were vented it could house a mh mogul socket . let me know what you all think heres a link to there site if you are not familiar with sola tubes http://www.solatube.com/res_accessories_light_kit.php __________________ " A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do." Bob Dylan 30 gallon ghetto fabulous sump reef 2 150 mh pendants "if bigger is better then why do i love the small details so much" http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner5.gif

12-30-2004, 07:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
LuckyInk Reef Painter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 565 View Gallery Karma Komment	I thought about solatubes for a while too. The big draw with them is that you use natural sunlight to illuminate your tank. I like the idea of adding a MH for those not so clear days. Plus, since heat rises, you may not have too big of an issue with the tank overheating. I wonder if you could add an exaust fan and duct to the side of the tube, pumping the warm air out to the attic or outside.... __________________ When you can feel the humidity pouring off the canvas and the salt spray on your face, my job is done.

12-30-2004, 08:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
LuckyInk Reef Painter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 565 View Gallery Karma Komment	And in case you didn't see it on RC, here are some pics of solatubes in use: http://home.iprimus.com.au/jmfaz/index.htm http://home.iprimus.com.au/aurorabridal/Doc1.htm http://home.iprimus.com.au/aurorabridal/massa.htm __________________ When you can feel the humidity pouring off the canvas and the salt spray on your face, my job is done.

12-30-2004, 09:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
mps9506 Totally stoked dude Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,518 View Gallery Karma Komment	Seen these used in person down in florida at a guy's house. They looked SWEET. They are not ideal for all tanks (I would never use one, I like my metal halides) but if I had the space, the house and location I would seriously consider one to illuminate a large tank that housed softies. __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

12-30-2004, 09:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
livingreef2004 Cabbage Leather Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: chambersburg,pa Posts: 399 View Gallery Karma Komment	davek the tubes are made out of the most reflective material known so i think it would channel the light just fine i am mainly concerned about heat and condensation at the top of the light tube luckyink i was thinking the same about exhausting the tube from the top since heat rises i believe if the tubes arent too expensive that i will try this in my new house this spring ill keep you all posted and thanks for the input wish me luck lol i hope it works __________________ " A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do." Bob Dylan 30 gallon ghetto fabulous sump reef 2 150 mh pendants "if bigger is better then why do i love the small details so much" http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner5.gif

12-30-2004, 03:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
DaveK Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelpahia, PA Posts: 664 View Gallery Karma Komment	To my eyes, the tupe part of a sola tube looks a lot like a length standard round metal ductwork, available at any place like home depot. Usually ductwork is galvanized steel, and this would not be good around a reef for a number of reasons. The sola tube may be something like stainless steel, or aluminum which would be a lot better. I see couple possible probelems with using a straight tube for MH lighting. First, since it's a tube rather than a parabolic reflector, you are going to loose a lot of the light the MH bulbs generate. Second, it's best to install glass between a MH bulb and the tank. This could be a little tricky, because you are dealing with a round tube. Third, note that the sola tube light is only a 100w light bulb. This is nothing compared to the heat a MH bulb will produce. There might be a heat problem. None of these problems would be impossible to overcome. While I think you could get something like this to work, and it would be OK, I think you'd do a lot better getting pendant reflectors or square reflectors. You are going to spend a bundle on a ballast, socket, and bulb for MH. Why make it less that what it could be, by going with a poor reflector?

12-30-2004, 09:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
mps9506 Totally stoked dude Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,518 View Gallery Karma Komment	they make for a very nice display. I don't think you would have much trouble ventilating the tubes. If you do decide to do this post the pics of the progress. __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

12-30-2004, 10:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
RanRoc Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central Florida: GO KNIGHTS!!! Posts: 443 View Gallery Karma Komment	My aunt uses them in her home in Tampa to light up the rooms. They're pretty bright. In Paletta's Ultimate Reef Aquariums, a hobbyists uses one on his tank, and there is a noticeable difference between the side that uses it vs. the other side that uses halides. I agree with DaveK in that I would not put the halide in the tube, but use the tube as it was intended for natural sunlight and use seperate fixtures for MH or actinics. JMHO. -RY __________________ My Disclaimer for any Advice I Give: I Could Be Wrong... Randy's Rockin' Reef MANGROVE ROOT GANG

12-30-2004, 11:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
Dakota Limpet Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 125 View Gallery Karma Komment	ok im a roofing contractor and have installed lots of these in roofs they do give of a fair amount of light, enough to light a tank? depends on lots not sure what the metal maybe polished alum but its very reflective.its not galvie. i think the biggest problem is cost i know in my parts to purchase and install your talking 400-500 dollars depeding on roof type ( if tile you willneed sheetmetal addition to flashing )and pitch (dont try yourself if 8/12 or above) u could do yourself and save money but most likely youll get a roof leak and cost more in long run. now if u need 2 or 3 look at cost way up there. good idea but not sure on feaseability.

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