Supplemental HQI Lighting On A 900 Gallon Tank   8/6/06
Salutations!
<Hello Tim>
I'm currently in the process of setting up a rather large aquarium, a 10' x 4' x 3' monster (3 feet deep). The tank is acrylic, and has 3 large 30" square cutouts on the top.
My setup is as follows:
1) I live in Arizona in a house with a flat roof.
2) I installed 3 24" Solar tubes in the ceiling directly over the tank.  The tubes extend down to about 18-24" off the top of the tank, and don't precisely
line up with the cutouts.  The two on the ends are slightly to the outer edge of the tank, and all three are more towards the back of the tank. (Joist placement issues)
3) The tank is in a dedicated room, (front of the tank is picture-frame style into the living room) so aesthetics of the fixtures is unimportant.
4) I plan to dedicate this tank primarily to shallow water SPS and clams.
I suspect that the three solar tubes, while providing a huge amount of light and hopefully offsetting my electric bill, will not be enough light for this tank.  I also think that for aesthetic reasons, I will need some blue or actinic lights to offset the natural sunlight coloring.
Along those lines, my current thinking is to add three 20,000K 400W HQI MH fixtures to the tank.  However, because of where the tubes are, these would be
centered more towards the front 1.5 feet of the tank.  I'm concerned that alot of my light will go directly onto the sandbed and the living room out the front
face.  I was thinking perhaps I could angle the fixtures towards the rear of the tank, but I'm not sure if this will cause a high loss of light through
reflection off the water surface.   The other option would be to put 2 halides over the braces between the solar tubes, but I am concerned about the effect of
the high intensity light being directed directly at an acrylic panel. I suspect I will end up mounting a fan on the wall blowing crosswise across the entire
tank to keep the heat down.  Also, the room is air-conditioned.
So:
What kind of supplemental lighting would you recommend for this setup?
How would you position the lamps?
Is a 400W HQI too much power? Maybe some other combination?  I can always also run them for only a few hours each day to simulate a mid-day-sun.
Any other thoughts on lighting this monster?
<Tim, a few questions before I can proceed.  First, is the tank currently set up and running?  If so, are any SPS corals or clams in the system at present, and,
how are they looking with just the solar tubes?  James (Salty Dog)>
Tim  

Re: HQI Supplemental Lighting on 900 Gallon Tank...Mmm, How Many Solar Tubes Per Gallon?    8/7/06
> <Tim, a few questions before I can proceed.  First, is the tank currently set up and running?  If so, are any SPS corals or clams in the system at present, and, how are they looking with just the solar tubes?  James (Salty Dog)>
No.  The system isn't up and running yet.  I'm just about to add live rock and begin the cycling process.
As far as the lights.. I think my primary concern is not to over-power the corals.  I realize I may be in a bit of uncharted territory here.  I will say, that the tubes light up the whole living room through the tank, and the light rays seem to be fairly direct, as I get the ripple effect like a MH light would.
But hey.  I'll have the most accurate moonlight system of anyone.
<Tim, to be honest with you, I'd see how things go with just the tubes.  You may have enough light light here along with eliminating heat problems from 400 watt lamps.  See if your investment works before spending more money.  Also, in future replies, please include/reply to previous correspondence.  James (Salty Dog)>
Tim

Solatube Lighting? - 08/04/06
Hey guys,
<<...and gals>>
How's it going?
<<Well, thank you>>
I've got a question that I don't see asked anywhere on the Web.
<<Okey-dokey>>
Can I use a tubular skylight as my primary source of light for my reef tank?
<<Mmm...have seen this asked/discussed before>>
I would have just Moonlight LED's for the night, but is that enough for plant growth, or do the lenses block/distort too much
light?
<<I don't think the lens (dome) is a problem, no more than the light shining through the window on your terrestrial plants...but other issues to consider here>>
I've seen people say they are equivalent to 700W in December, and
1200 watt in June.  I just am not too sure about the frequency and
intensity.  If I did it, the tube would end up right in the canopy.  This is only an idea and I probably won't be doing it for a while, but I can't find anyone else that talks about light quality.
<<Seems sound, even "desirable" in theory, though I've never seen/heard of it actually being employed.  For it to work you would need to be located in a region where you receive sunlight of sufficient duration/intensity...then there's the issue of radiant heating...  But not to discourage...  If you're willing, I think it might be worth experimentation.  I'm sure many here would be interested to hear your findings re>>
Thanks! Keep up the good work!
Eric
<<Regards, EricR>>

Re: Solatube Lighting  - 08/05/06
I saw this email posted on the daily FAQ's and thought the inquirer might want to read this thread on Seahorse.org.  It sounds like a couple of people are about to give this a shot.
http://forum.seahorse.org/index.php?showtopic=27365&hl=
It can be found in the "Helpful hints and do it yourself" forum, titled "Tubular skylights".  I just thought I would share the info,
Jessica Groomer
<<Thank you for sharing Jessica...will post.  Eric Russell>>

SW to light or not    4/10/06
I have been interested in setting up a 30 gallon saltwater tank with live rock, fish possibly some invertebrates <Very cool - have fun with it!>, the unusual thing is i would like to
run the tank with just natural sunlight. <Ok...> The tank would not have any light loving inverts, but a pygmy angel some shrimps, <Ok...> live rock and a sand bed
about two inches. The tank will be placed near a window that gets about four hours of natural sunlight is there anything I should be concerned about. <Actually yes, the lighting in an artificially lit tank isn't as conducive to nuisance algae or algae blooms as a tank lit with natural sunlight.  I would not suggest you do this.  It would take an enormous amount of work to keep the tank clear.  Hopes this helps you make your decision.  Jen S.>
Thanks Ron.

Re: to light or not  - 04/10/2006
let's say i do not put the tank near the sunlight would that work , also what about a refugium that was lit on the tank
<I/m not sure what you're asking here.  You're going to want some kind of lighting for the tank.  If its an all fish tank you can pretty much do want you want with artificial lighting.  If you're going to keep inverts too you're going to have to research what spectrum lighting each need to survive.  As for the refugium, you're also going to want to light this - different ways to do it though.  Will you include algae?  Because then you'll need daylight spectrum too.  Your possibilities are endless here. :) This is where you'll have to spend most of your budget for the tank! Do some research on WWM, I know there are many pages on tank lighting.  Good luck, Jen S.>

Sunlight Issues SW  3/14/06
Dear Crew, <Hi Fickie - Tim answering your question today!>
This question is posed to Mr. Calfo but I would greatly appreciate help from anyone that has the means to do so.
Anthony, I was greatly inspired by some advice you gave a fellow reefer and have since set-about creating a new set-up which will use natural sunlight.
Unfortunately due to restricted access of materials and the design of my existing roof and sunroom, I had to go with polycarbonate roofing with built in UV protection. I only just found some posts that sps tend to go brown and suffer stunted growth when UV shielding is present (heat will be sorted through a chiller).
I do still have the halides from my old set up, but was hoping to use T5's just for viewing purposes but part of the whole point of this set-up was to avoid using supplemental light as much as possible. My question is will I be able to compensate adequately for UV using T5 'violet' lighting? Or should I just pack in the whole project? I do remember you saying in BOCP that any sunlight would be beneficial, I just need some direction before I pump yet more money into this project. <I would very much recommend that you continue to use your metal halides, relying on natural sunlight only as a supplement. Unsure as to your location, I can only say that most locations will not offer sufficient sunlight to maintain SPS corals - especially during the winter seasons it will be necessary for you to use artificial lighting to ensure the continued health of your corals. Therefore my suggestion is as follows: by all means, do use sunlight to help brighten your aquarium, and as a means of providing a more natural light spectrum, but also continue to use your metal halides as sunlight alone will in most cases be inadequate as the sole source of lighting.>
Finally, to the entire WWM team, thanks a stack for this site and the help you offer. I would certainly be more 'stupid' without it. <Always a pleasure!>
Regards,
Fickie

Sun Mirror  1/21/06
Thanks again for your help.  I'm hesitant to ask this next question, but here goes...am I creating problems by using a large mirror to direct
sunlight from a window into my tank? <No.  James (Salty Dog)>

Natural Sunlight/Coral Growth/Closed System 2/10/04
Hello Wet Web Media
<cheers>
I did find some indirect articles on the site regarding natural sunlight but had a couple of questions  With the cost of lighting I am always looking for alternatives --- I have a 75 gallon reef with hammer corals, bubbles, a cabbage leather, a xenia, a plate coral and a long tentacled anemone.  The tank is .75 percent filled with live rock and heavy skimming.  I run carbon a couple of weeks a month.  My parameters are in range Calcium, pH, dKH --- The temp is a consistent 78 degrees. The lighting includes 3 VHO lamps  95x3 = 285 and one Actinic 1x40 = 40+285=325 watts.  The tank receives a full day of sunlight from the back of the tank and so far for 10 months no real algae problems except for occasional small outbreak of diatom on the window which the Turbos usually keep in check.  
<as it should be... its a lie/wives tale about sunlight causing algae. Excess nutrients with any light cause algae>
My question is how much of that sunlight through glass is actually beneficial to the system?  
<er... as much as possible mate. These organisms did come from the reef not too long ago ;)>
The coral expand every day but I know corals can open and still be in a gradual decline.  Generally speaking (I understand you just know just the few things I told you about my system) Is this lighting adequate for the animals/corals mentioned?  
<seems so>
Is there any good success stories with coral growth and natural sunlight in a closed system??  
<ahhh... there are perhaps tens of thousands of pages of success stories on the subject across the Internet! I made a living on corals under natural sunlight and wrote a book about it, my friend: "Book of Coral Propagation by Anthony Calfo". Greenhouse grown corals for a decade>
Can natural sunlight substitute for some of the needs for additional wattage??
<it can replace all... book orders here ;)https://secure.wetwebfotos.com/order_form.jsp
http://www.readingtrees.com/
best regards, Anthony>

Natural sunlight really works! - 2/14/03
Hello crew & I hope Mr. Calfo-
<cheers, my friend>
I wrote some weeks ago about moving my tank near a window so that it will get about two hours of natural light. I did that three weeks ago and I just want to say it made all of the difference in the world.
<excellent to hear>
My softies are taking off. I am amazed at the difference.
<it really is remarkable and algae growth will be no better or worse than without it>
I don't know how it might have affected it but my pod population has exploded. Could the sunlight help them, if so how?
<yep... some pods eat phytoplankton which is now growing better from the sunlight>
One more question. My skimmer has slowed down some. I still get a lot of skimmate but I would say a 1/2cup less then before.
<per day... per week?>
Is that due to the new lighting?
<not likely. And not a problem if that is per week. Else, there is a tuning problem>
My specs are Alk 10dkh, Ca400, ph 8.3 No2 0 No3 0 Amm 0
Thanks Mr. Calfo, I enjoy your book and am looking forward to the new ones coming.
<Thanks kindly!>
Have a good Valentine's day. I had to send this letter out before I rush and get some flowers for my g-friend. Karl
<cheers, Anthony>

Lighting for Corals
Hello, I have a 38 gallon and two 20 longs I hope to raise corals in. Low limited income forces me to stay away from MH lighting or other high output set ups.
<actually its your tank size that spares you from the commonly used and abused MH lighting rage that too many aquarists are on>
In my search I have yet to come across information regarding supplemental sunlight through an (East) window.
<there is quite a bit of information on this topic on message boards, articles and in some books (my Book of Coral Propagation for a shameless plug). South facing windows are preferable, East is a good runner up.>
I know glass does filter out some wavelengths but my house plants do fine.
<agreed on premise, but a horrible analogy or line of thinking. Terrestrial plants have tremendously different needs (light spectrum and intensity) from light through air than corals in water>
Why wouldn't this work ( with added fluorescents) for coral? David
<it would work very well with supplemental fluorescents my friend. The LPS corals you have mentioned in your subject line would literally bleach and die in time (months) from photoinhibition under halides in a tank this small. Besides, these corals like most are actually very easy to feed (finely minced meaty foods almost daily)... and feeding can compensate for deficiencies in light (but the opposite is not true). Best of luck! Anthony>

Fresnel lighting?
Hi guys,
I was just snooping around WWM looking for new mischief and saw a link to a site that provided solar illumination in housing (the link has since died x_x) and it reminded me of another link I once mulled over quite a bit...
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bclee/lens.html
Looks like a Fresnel lens is pretty amazing at capturing and concentrating light rays.. I've always wondered if one could be used outdoors to funnel light into the house (say, through a series of mirrors or fiber optics) and then down into an aquarium. Obviously the light output would vary depending on the weather, but one could argue that that's more natural anyways, or perhaps it could be controlled.
Any thoughts? I'm a big clueless in the light energy department but thought this was fascinating. And if by chance my car tires have been melted when I get off work.... I never trusted Calfo's grin....
Regards,
Stefan
<Such natural lighting conductors can work to advantage... as you hint, with control, augmentation due to the vicissitudes of nature... worth investigating, experimentation. Bob Fenner, who does trust Antoine's antics, expressions>

Halides soon to be inferior?
Just saw an interesting article about channeling sunlight into homes, who knows maybe we can light our tanks with this technology someday! Sunlight in the Home
<Thanks for sharing. That certainly is interesting. Mike G>