Log in

View Full Version : New lighting???


mathias
Sat, 11th Sep 2004, 05:02 PM
natural sunlight?

http://www.solatube.com/


you think it could be strong enough?
mathias
Sat, 11th Sep 2004, 05:12 PM
found a dealer here in SA


more info

http://www.solavue.com/skylights.htm
GaryP
Sun, 12th Sep 2004, 11:27 AM
Natural sunlight is 5.5K. I've run 6.5K Iwaki's and I think you would be really disappointed with the color in your tanks. A lot of yellow and brown. On the other hand you will get really good growth if the PAR value is high enough. 6.5K Iwaki's are legendary for the growth rates they acheive. Perfect for a frag grow out tank, but not so good for a main display tank. Home Depot sells 5.5K "daylight" fluorescent bulbs.

Gary
TexasState
Sun, 12th Sep 2004, 11:45 AM
How much sunshine do you receive in SA vs. cloudy days?
mathias
Sun, 12th Sep 2004, 12:00 PM
I thought natural sunlight was the best kind of lighting you can have? so I thought hmmmmmmmmmmm this could save lots of money :)
GaryP
Sun, 12th Sep 2004, 12:57 PM
Mathias,

It is the best for growth, but not necessarily for color. That's why people run 20K bulbs to artificially enhance color.

Gary
Tim Marvin
Sun, 12th Sep 2004, 03:05 PM
We had a big discussion on solatubes here and reefcentral over a year ago. A few guys tried it out and were not as happy as they had expected. These corals grow in areas were the sun is much more intense, closer to the equator, and get better light through better water also. I ran a greenhouse for a year andf though I had fairly good growth most corals didn't do as well color wise. Mushrooms did great. If you do install solatube I would suggest buying some 03 actinics from 360reeffarms, and some 10k's to suppliment light. You will get decent growth from the tubes, but if electricity isn't a problem bulbs will provide much better results. Oh, 1 other thing, be sure you don't get a spec of problem algea because the sun will crank out the growth on plants!