Solar energy in aquariums.

[juanico]

there is another way to light up your tank...almost for free:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2 ... tles-light

and a bit more sophisticated (look at the 2 upper rows):

https://www.google.com/search?hl=de&cli ... ubes&btnG=

[juanico]

and here aquarium lightning by solar tubes:

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f6/so ... 685-2.html

[Romi]

That idea of making solar lights out of plastic bottles and bleaching powder is genius. Hats off...

The solar 'chimney' idea would need a corporate push in India fist. I first read about it 2 years ago, my concern was the quality of the relectors in the chimney would need to be high. And then keeping it clean from the inside might be the next issue. But economies of scale would bring the price down, if and only if the indian political class sits up and notices it. All those glass-fronted office buildings we see in Gurgaon would have chimneys opening out and sucking the light in....

[juanico]

The solar 'chimney' idea would need a corporate push in India fist. I first read about it 2 years ago, my concern was the quality of the relectors in the chimney would need to be high. And then keeping it clean from the inside might be the next issue. But economies of scale would bring the price down, if and only if the indian political class sits up and notices it. All those glass-fronted office buildings we see in Gurgaon would have chimneys opening out and sucking the light in....

i agree with you for large scale application.
but for the dimensions we need for our tanks, i think this is pretty easy DIY stuff.
and as i understand this solar tubes...they are sealed at the top and bottom...so actually maintenance free.
but yes, we have to find a high reflecting coating inside the tube...why not a tube made of mirrors?...i am sure there are good and cheap solutions for this.

[saikumar]

Agree with Juanico. Everyone who has access to roof should try it. I think it shouldn't cost more thank a branded 100w LED fixtures.

Lets put it at modest 35rs sft. so a 40ft long 2sft square tube will be
40 x 2x4=320sft
so 320 x35=Rs.11200+extra covering and angles for holding together.

As Juanico says, no additional maintainence cost and you are at 90% energy efficiency. Which is double of Solar efficiency.
No electrocution issue nothing. If I had a I dependant home I would have built it by now.

What more no fear of getting solar panels stolen too

[saikumar]

But Juanico, what about hot Indian summers?

[bmukh]

A hole in the roof that is made out of concrete???? Are we getting too carried away? This would work well in fish rooms but I doubt inside drawing rooms in urban setups. Further, these would only be effective during day time, how many of us would want to come back from work and not 'see' the tanks in full glory? Hmmm

[jack]

Drill in the roof are your sure ?
Its nature friendly agreed but costing ?? If uts a fishroom its the best idea to do, not for hobbyist who have less tanks
+1 to bappada who would like to stay home in afternoon and enjoy the tank ?
But worth a diy keep updated
This is getting interesting
@ juanico if this link was shared 1.5 days back it would be wonders ..... I just made a special room covered from the garden of my new house where we are shifting soon but the roof there is now done.

[saikumar]

You don't need to drill a roof guys!!!
They did it out if their comfort and ease.

Just imagine your water pipes, did you drill roofs for it?
You can well salvage a window or part if a wall. Hope you got the idea.

So Jaival, so still have a doable thing at hand don't you.
BTW sorry even though I mentioned it in first page, I lacked in presentation skills, bad you missed the easier chance.

[bmukh]

You don't need to drill a roof guys!!!
They did it out if their comfort and ease.

Just imagine your water pipes, did you drill roofs for it?
You can well salvage a window or part if a wall. Hope you got the idea.

So Jaival, so still have a doable thing at hand don't you.
BTW sorry even though I mentioned it in first page, I lacked in presentation skills, bad you missed the easier chance.

You mean a water pipe type of structure inside your drawing room? You can try those things in a fish room if you have but I doubt any one of us will be allowed to do that in our drawing living rooms !