New Technology for Lighting

ragvette · 01-08-2008, 02:47 PM

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 · 01-08-2008, 02:50 PM

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 · 01-08-2008, 03:00 PM

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 · 01-08-2008, 03:58 PM

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 · 01-08-2008, 04:05 PM

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 · 01-08-2008, 04:24 PM

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

tbittner · 01-08-2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

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 · 01-08-2008, 04:49 PM

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 · 01-08-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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 · 01-08-2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

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 · 01-09-2008, 08:57 PM

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

mps9506 · 01-09-2008, 10:19 PM

Quote:

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.

01-08-2008, 02:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
ragvette Ricordea Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lake Villa, IL Posts: 180 View Gallery Karma Komment	New Technology for Lighting 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 __________________ -Rodney My 20gal Nano Chronicle My 65gal Chronicle Reef Store Locator

01-08-2008, 02:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 8,844 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New Technology for Lighting 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. __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

01-08-2008, 03:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
zimboy Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 296 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New Technology for Lighting 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.

01-08-2008, 03:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 16,456 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New Technology for Lighting 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 ... __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g Jawfish enjoyment ASM answer girl. Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

01-08-2008, 04:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 8,844 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New Technology for Lighting 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 .... __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

01-08-2008, 04:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cassette87 Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Palos Park, IL Posts: 1,272 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New Technology for Lighting That's amazing... This is the sort of thing you sit back and say, how did we not think of this before... __________________ Andy My 29 Gallon Reef! My DIY LED Lights Current Status - around - 2/14/08 Happy Valentine's Day!

01-08-2008, 04:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 8,844 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New Technology for Lighting 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 __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

01-09-2008, 08:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
rmlevasseur Neon dottyback Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 604 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New Technology for Lighting I bet this would work with some sort of filter to block out the undesirable wavelengths. I like it.

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