Ryan S August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2206286 Simple design. Cool concept. I might add some actinic T5s as color supplements, but otherwise, I think his tank looks pretty nice. No bulbs, no electric bill. Big savings there.
GraffitiSpotCorals August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 I bet you it cost more to cut open the roof and build that opening than it would to buy a few halides or LEDs and run them for a number of years.
Ryan S August 31, 2012 Author August 31, 2012 I bet you it cost more to cut open the roof and build that opening than it would to buy a few halides or LEDs and run them for a number of years. $1100 for the installation. The domes and tubes come with a 10 year warranty.
Incredible Corals August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 That is very cool. I would love to do something like that with some blue LEDs.
Incredible Corals August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 $1100 for the installation. The domes and tubes come with a 10 year warranty. Cost about $1,100 plus the domes and tubes come with a 10 year warranty. This is what he said. Not sure how much the domes and tubing costs but I'm sure it's expensive.
Incredible Corals August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 Certainly not the cheapest but the most efficient for sure.
Ryan S August 31, 2012 Author August 31, 2012 Cost about $1,100 plus the domes and tubes come with a 10 year warranty. This is what he said. Not sure how much the domes and tubing costs but I'm sure it's expensive. $1100 includes the domes and tubes. He was pointing out they come with a 10 year warranty as well. $1100 is a lot, but when you consider no electric bill or bulbs... That's quite a bit less than 2 radions at $1500...
BowieReefer84 August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 PASS. That is too much effort, and looks like spaceships landed on the roof.
hlem August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 (edited) $1100 includes the domes and tubes. He was pointing out they come with a 10 year warranty as well. $1100 is a lot, but when you consider no electric bill or bulbs... That's quite a bit less than 2 radions at $1500... nvm... Edited August 31, 2012 by hlem
BowieReefer84 August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 What do you guys think $1,100 included if it didn't cover the domes and tubes? I'm with Ryan. The TOTAL was $1,100.
icecool2 August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 It's a cool idea for sure. Only really works if you live in FL like that guy. Too many overcast days around here IMO.
jimlin August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 cleaning that dome as part of your tank maintenance. too much work for me if i owned a house.
surf&turf August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 cleaning that dome as part of your tank maintenance. too much work for me if i owned a house. +1 They are also probably acrylic and would yellow over time and have to be replaced.
surf&turf August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 ^I wonder if that's covered under the warranty... I was wondering that as well.
surf&turf August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 (edited) Quote:Originally Posted by Grandmaster_Toad Amazing! Do you have problems with lumens degradation? It sure doesn't look like it?Thank you! None that I have seen, if the dome or tubes discolor or oxidize they have a 10 year replacement warranty Seems this is covered. Edited August 31, 2012 by surf&turf
GraffitiSpotCorals August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 Right domes and tubes and everything for that cheap? I can't get the leak patched on my roof for that much... I bet the construction work was done first then once the holes were cut and braced or whatever I bet THEN it cost that much to install them. No way can you get all that done for so cheap. What do I know though, definatly would be sweet to have on certain tanks though.
steveoutlaw August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 I think it's an awesome idea, and I would definately do it if I lived in Florida or somewhere else where the sun was strong enough for most of the year. Now, for the price, I just had some minor roof repair and it cost me well over $1100 so I'm thinking that only covered the labor. Still, if you are looking at the long haul, even 3K would be a savings if you look over a 10 year period.
Ryan S August 31, 2012 Author August 31, 2012 A huge downside is that, you can't move your tank. Those holes are basically permanent. At least with MHs or LEDs you can upgrade your tank, move it to a different wall, etc, pretty easily. But it is an interesting concept. I've seen more and more tanks trying it out over the past couple of years. I wonder how it would work up here without all the sun that Florida gets.
firecrackerbob August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 I reasearched this quite a bit a few months ago--- We recently moved to a new house and are considering building an addition onto the house of a mud room with a possible dedicated fish room. Ive read numerous threads on the subject, and really like the look of natural light tanks. there is an obvious upfront cost of the tubes, but for my situation at least, it wasnt going to be a big deal since I was building it into the new design... aside from the fact that we are holding off on the addition now, most of what I have read is that the tubes oxidize rapidly after about 2yrs. while it seems to be usually covered by some of the manufacturers, they supposedly will just ship you new tubes, which is then your responsibility to get installed.... interested to actually hear accounts of users though. I tried to PM some users of multi-year tubes but have not gotten a responce....
Origami August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 Love it. It (the exterior) doesn't need to look this bad either. Any decent skylight structure will do. I have two in my kitchen and they're great. Getting good reflectivity down the tubes is important for this application. Alas, my tank and fish room are in the basement. I doubt that my wife would be too understanding about skylight tubes extending down through the house....
ToddR August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 Nice natural look from sunshine huh!!!!!!! Refreshing change from "black light poster" tanks.!!!!!!!!
jimlin August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 it may cost more, even with the warranty on the parts than leds. sure you save on electricity, but you pay for labor to get that thing replaced every couple of years.
steveoutlaw August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 I doubt that my wife would be too understanding about skylight tubes extending down through the house.... Just make them decorative columns!
Jim August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 it may cost more, even with the warranty on the parts than leds. sure you save on electricity, but you pay for labor to get that thing replaced every couple of years. Why would he replace it every couple of years?
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