New Technology for Lighting

[ragvette]

I wonder if this would work as a method to light a reef aquarium. The unit captures the sun and brings it into the building using fiber optics. I am thinking depending on where someone lives they would still need backup lighting during the cloudy periods. Guess it also depends on $$$$.

Sun Capture Lighting

[BigAl07]

Well that's an "Option" but Sunlight is FULL spectrum and with that you get the lower levels that are more prone to boosting Algae growth. I've seen SW tanks that had one side with sunlight hitting it and within little more than a WEEK it was totally covered in a VERY thick layer of algae as was the edge of the sand bed. I'm not saying it WONT work but you may be getting more than you bargained for *S*

The company I work for has something along the same lines but it uses a reflective "tunnel" to direct the light between floors. SunTube or Sola-Tube I think is the names.

[zimboy]

There a few threads on that "other" forum with Natural Sun Light tanks. Awesome looking growth and color. It seems corals under NSL can't be sucessfully fragged into artificially lighted tanks. Other downsides are that your reef is only "lights-on" during the day, and most of us work during the day. You could always use moonlights for nightviewing. Algae is not an issue with NSL tanks as long as you keep your phosphates and nitrates in check. One other thing, it was mentioned that the NSL needs to be unfiltered, i.e. no UV filter, for good coral coloration. Might want to check into that if considering this.

[lcstorc]

My old LFS had a horrible time with algae in the tank they had by the window. The rest of his tanks were algae free. Not sure why but ...

[BigAl07]

It's the additional Full spectrum Sunlight. I've very confident on that one. The sun is providing the PERFECT light for not only corals but EVERYTHING that can make energy from the sunlight. I'm speaking from Experience there ....

[Cassette87]

That's amazing... This is the sort of thing you sit back and say, how did we not think of this before...

[tbittner]

Originally Posted by BigAl07

It's the additional Full spectrum Sunlight. I've very confident on that one. The sun is providing the PERFECT light for not only corals but EVERYTHING that can make energy from the sunlight. I'm speaking from Experience there ....

Amazing! Then you would think that the oceans would be FULL of nothing but algae...

(things to make you go hummmmmm)

[BigAl07]

But in reality it IS full of it but more controlled. The Creator has added the right mix of everything so it grows as it should.. we just mess everything up

[ragvette]

Originally Posted by Cassette87

That's amazing... This is the sort of thing you sit back and say, how did we not think of this before...

When I first seen it I thought the same. Sun light via Fiber optics to light your reef aquarium, how cool!

I just seen all the benefits like reducing electric bill since you don't need to power 3 x 400watt MH lights over an aquarium, plus chiller/air conditioning to keep everything cool. Also the other saving of never replacing a MH light again or extend the time you replace it.

Regarding the algae issue, I would think that could be handle by some high tech device (like a switch ) and filters on the optics to control what type of light gets to the tank. With the switch and filters you would have full control how what light enters the tank and when.

Originally Posted by zimboy

Other downsides are that your reef is only "lights-on" during the day, and most of us work during the day. You could always use moonlights for nightviewing.

Good point and even more so during the winter hours when the sun goes down at 3:00pm.

Here's some further reading from another company:
Sunlight Direct- Architectural Design Information

[zimboy]

Originally Posted by BigAl07

It's the additional Full spectrum Sunlight. I've very confident on that one. The sun is providing the PERFECT light for not only corals but EVERYTHING that can make energy from the sunlight. I'm speaking from Experience there ....

If nitrates and phosphates are kept in check, then you will NOT have algae issues, especially with the sheer numbers of algae cleaners we keep in our tanks. Reefs are in more intese FULL spectrum sunlight than any we could provide in our temperate lattitudes, yet there is almost no algae. This is because of the oligotrophic (nutrient poor) waters and a balanced population of herbivores. These conditions can be copied in a captive reef to enough extent that algae won't be an issue in a NSL reef. Go look at the "other" forum, there is a long thread about NSL, with some amazing reefs, in case you're looking for more info

[rmlevasseur]

I bet this would work with some sort of filter to block out the undesirable wavelengths. I like it.

[mps9506]

Originally Posted by zimboy

If nitrates and phosphates are kept in check, then you will NOT have algae issues, especially with the sheer numbers of algae cleaners we keep in our tanks. Reefs are in more intese FULL spectrum sunlight than any we could provide in our temperate lattitudes, yet there is almost no algae. This is because of the oligotrophic (nutrient poor) waters and a balanced population of herbivores. These conditions can be copied in a captive reef to enough extent that algae won't be an issue in a NSL reef. Go look at the "other" forum, there is a long thread about NSL, with some amazing reefs, in case you're looking for more info

Ditto to this.
I've seen some very nice SoCal reefs lit with natural sunlight, There was even a well done frag system done with natural sunlight. No algae problems, although heat did become an issue for the person with the frag farm.
There are drawbacks, such as photoperiod and heat issues, but if the system is maintained properly algae should not be an issue at least with the SPS tanks I've seen.
I also think Waikiki Aquarium has a lagoonal tank that is lit by natural sunlight. I don't recal if that may have been an open flow through setup or closed though.