View Full Version : Guillo1's 243G Solar Powered Reef
Ok, my friends tank is so awesome IMO that I have to create a thread on here for it. He lurks on here and posts in my thread occasionally but has his build thread on ReefCentral. So I thought I would make a thread on here to show off his tank. You can read his entire Build Thread HERE (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1561945&page=9).
The tank measures 78"L x 30"D x 24"H which comes out to about 243 gallons. Its 78" long because it has a false wall for the over flow. Tank is drilled on the bottom for a Closed Loop / OM4 Way.
Equipment:
Snapper for return pump
Hammerhead for closed loop
Ac/Jr with Dc8, temp and PH probe
90 gallon sump
3 14" solatubes
8x 5' T5HO Actinics
Big Reef Octopus Skimmer
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1181.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1218.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1233.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1367.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1231.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1724.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1722.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1793.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1703.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1728.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1779.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1730.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1729.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1735.jpg
odinthejd
12-22-2009, 9:49 PM
very nice tank!
Conski
12-22-2009, 10:26 PM
that one pic is garf isnt it :( but holy crap thats an awsome tank!
Rbishop
12-23-2009, 4:46 AM
Impressive!
BoCoMo
12-23-2009, 8:21 AM
Very cool! :thumbsup:
Solar tubes like the little skylights?
Is that the only daylights?
Awesome....
Yup, 1 14" skylight (SolaTube from HomeDepot) puts out the same PAR readings as a 1000w 10k MH light and you get the entire light spectrum, something you could never get with a MH light. Also, the colors of his corals when you look at his tank from the top down in person, it is like a super colorful rainbow in his tank, simply amazing colors that I have never seen on any "artificially" lit reef tank. Pictures can't even do his tank the justice it deserves. :)
Cheech
12-23-2009, 9:34 AM
Incredible looking tank! Thanks for sharing
Amphiprion
12-23-2009, 9:48 AM
Wow, looks incredible! Can't beat mother nature.
fsn77
12-23-2009, 10:32 AM
Very impressive!
I have reef envy. :)
Guillo1
12-23-2009, 5:43 PM
Thanx for posting my build thread here Jeremy and thanx to everyone for your compliments. I have gotten some ridiculous growth on my corals the last 3 months or so. I had not noticed it until Jeremy pointed it out and I looked at some older pictures.
There has to be some conclusions we could draw from your experience, like why did you get MORE growth in the last 3 months than before? Possibly the saying that "reducing your light schedule makes your corals grow a lot more" is actually true? I have seen people say that for years now.. like switching your MH from 8 hours to 6 hours a day will INCREASE growth but not enough evidence to convince me it worked.. but look at your tank.. the less PAR it gets as the winter months hit, the MORE your corals seem to grow to a point. Some type of stress the reduced lighting induces on the corals that makes them grow more, like making an anemone split from stressing it. You can only stress a coral so much before negative things start to happen, but maybe in nature/sunlight/seasons this is how corals are supposed to behave.. start growing/coloring up in the spring, average growth and great coloration in the summer, then fall hits and sunlight gets less and less, colors fade a tad, but growth going through the roof for a couple months.. then they stall and sit almost dormant for a few months until spring, and the process repeats. Not sure if that is how it actually works, but sounds like a good theory to me. We will have to watch closely in 2010 to see how the corals react to the seasons.
Sploke
12-23-2009, 6:06 PM
That is an interesting theory, but as most coral reefs are naturally oriented very close to the equator, there would be very little variation in photoperiod over the seasons. That is not to say the "stress" caused by a varying photoperiod would not cause increased growth...
Ace, where does he live? He is only using the solar tubes for lighting correct? Does cloudy weather have much effect on the corals, say like if it's gloomy all day or that the sun is not out much like here in MI during the winter months? That is quite awesome that you could have that much light without the heat from bulbs. not a word for guys to use much but it is BEAUTIFUL.
Very true for the large majority of things we collect in our hobby.. but I would think the Great Barrier Reef is far enough from the equator to have some seasonal effect. Obviously not as much as where Guillo1 and I live, but it would still have some fluctuation of PAR levels through the seasons. Looking at a globe, it is actually pretty close to where we are as far as distance from the equator, just opposite seasons/hemispheres.
His tank is located in Santa Maria, California. He also uses I believe 8 T5HOs for actinics.. may only be 6 bulbs, not sure, but he does have some additional blue lighting. Cloudy days.. nature has them all the time.. corals seem to do fine.. what is not normal is for corals to be under intense MH light 365 days a year. I am betting if we could tailor our light schedules better, have seasonal time periods for our lighting, we may actually have better success with corals, ie, summer have 8-9 hour MH days, but winter have 4-5 hour MH days.
http://www.idcide.com/i/mc2/ca/santa-maria.gif
thanks for the info, I thought there may be some additional lighting.
Reefer Brian
12-23-2009, 8:34 PM
This tank is unbelievable and amazing in person. The colors and growth are unreal. You definetly deserve an award Guillo....Tank of the Decade.
Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the ground. REALLY cool!!!
Wish it was mine :D
Conski
12-24-2009, 12:51 AM
you deserve any compliments we throw at you man.
Jaykit
12-24-2009, 1:05 AM
Great tank.
A couple comparison shots at almost exactly 6 months apart.
Green Slimer
6-23-09
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1492.jpg
12-22-09
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1727.jpg
Wild Green Acro
6-23-09
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1486.jpg
12-22-09
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1714.jpg
Idaho Grape Cap
6-23-09
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1478.jpg
12-22-09
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1708.jpg
Side View (4 months growth)
8-19-09
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1647.jpg
12-22-09
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1797.jpg
Guillo1
12-24-2009, 12:53 PM
thank you all very much for the compliments..........Wow look at the growth I got in those side by side corals you posted. Jeremy what would be normal growth for those same corals say under MH?
Ace25
12-24-2009, 12:58 PM
I would say your getting about 2x the growth people would normally get under a MH. Look at the last set of pics, at the green slimer on the top/middle. It went from just a 2 branch frag to that monster it is becoming now in only 4 months. You would probably get better growth if you tested/dosed more frequently or hooked up that CA reactor just sitting there for the last 6 months. ;)
Guillo1
12-24-2009, 1:06 PM
yea I do lag on what you mention. Can you imagine If I did take care of it better than I do right now.
next tank i build im putting in the skylight tubes.. U notice a difference when its sunny?
Guillo1
12-24-2009, 3:57 PM
next tank i build im putting in the skylight tubes.. U notice a difference when its sunny?
A difference in what???? I highly recommend the tubes.
A difference in what???? I highly recommend the tubes.
in lighting or growth.
Guillo1
12-24-2009, 4:24 PM
in lighting or growth.
yea I could tell when its really sunny about 4-5 months ago. The intensity of the light was great. This past Monday the sun was at its lowest peak so from here on the sun will start to get higher. But like me and Jeremy mention on some posts above. My corlas have grown more when the sun light was not the strongest.
Another theory I have is that maybe during summer the tubes might be putting out too much light. Who knows what it is. Its way to early to come to any conclussions because I havent had them that long. It will be interesting to see how my tank progresses in the next year.
well great tank and im sold on the tubes! Where can one buy them?
Guillo1
12-24-2009, 4:42 PM
there are lots of different brands out there. Home depot carries like 2 brands in their store. I got ones made by Sola Tubes. I bought them from ABC roof supplies.
Guillo1
02-22-2010, 3:41 PM
I'll try and post some new pictures soon. My tank went through some bad times a few months ago. Most corals have made a full recovery but I've been battling some cyano problems lately.
http://vid264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/00231-1.flv
Hmmm, trying to get a video to work, not having any luck. Is there something wrong with the forum in the last few weeks? Every video I try to add I only get a white box now, on other sites it works fine.
http://vid264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/00231-1.flv
Guillo1
02-27-2010, 6:40 PM
I see you got the video I sent ya
FtwayneFish
03-06-2010, 1:42 PM
sweet tank, look at my nano!
Guillo1
04-06-2010, 11:56 AM
Its been a long time since I took pics of my tank which miraculous made it through a chemi clean crash. The 1st 3 pictures show some of the damage to the corals. Pictures were taken under ACTINICS only....
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1922.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1924.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1925.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1926.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1927.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1929.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1928.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1931.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1933.jpg
Guillo1
04-06-2010, 11:57 AM
and some more pictures
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1938.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1940.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1936.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1939.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1941.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1947.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1948.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1949.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1950.jpg
Sploke
04-06-2010, 12:08 PM
man thats gorgeous.
what is this:
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1941.jpg
and this:
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii178/6uillo1/IMG_1926.jpg
Ace25
04-06-2010, 12:38 PM
The big plate looking thing is a rare gem he has that I REALLY want a piece of someday. ;) It is a "Laker" Turbinaria coral (I call it Laker because it has the same colors as the LA Lakers basketball team), similar to a Pagoda cup but insane colors on Guillo's.
Second one looks like a standard green Stylophora, but can't be sure under Actinics, he has several types of Stylo in his tank, including a rainbow.
Sploke
04-06-2010, 1:01 PM
Awesome, thanks Ace. I'm just starting to venture into the world of SPS so everything ps pretty unfamiliar. Yeah that turbinaria is sick!
Guillo1 just made a few videos of his tank, thought I would share them here in his thread. ;) You can watch them in high def 1080p even.
tYbCLMVF9TM
JE0LB7przKM
uvs1gGt2W-s
gPPf0VPef-0
leocom2000
07-27-2011, 12:55 AM
very nice!!! Everything seems to stay still, were the pups off?
ya, pumps were off in the videos because he was taking a top down video and to do so you can't have any movement on the surface. He forgot to turn them back on for the other videos. I asked him to make one with the pumps on.
Cheech
08-10-2011, 3:12 PM
Wow!
Ace25
08-10-2011, 10:44 PM
One more video. Double click it and pick 720 or 1080 HD and full screen to really get a good view.
hLL2-tGizNU
leocom2000
08-12-2011, 8:49 AM
Awesome!!! I liked the trigger fish cruising around. The corals are in amazing condition.
Now, I would like to learn more about his maintenance.
How often does he have to clean it? How much water does he change? What salt does he use? Does he have a calcium reactor?
He uses Reef Crystals since the day it was setup, never once changed brands. His maintenance, almost nill. Maybe a 20G a month water change. For the first year he didn't have a CA reactor, just dosed 2 part every few days and just put a cup of each in, never really testing or measuring what he put it. In the last 6 months he added a CA reactor and Bio-Pellets. I think he may run an algae magnet over the glass about 2x a week. Seriously, super low maintenance and small monthly water changes, maybe run a test or 2 once a month for CA/Alk. His tank is pretty much on cruise control.
Benson
08-14-2011, 6:54 PM
This is an amazing tank!!!! I hope to someday have a tank half as nice as this one. I looked through his thread on RC... inspiring...
zambono
01-20-2012, 5:15 PM
great tank, that lighting won't work in the northern states, lol. this has to be florida, texas, etc lol
Conski
01-22-2012, 1:41 AM
Dayumm, this tank always makes me :perv:! It makes me not be able to wait anymore to get some of the SPS you gave me a WHILE back and into my tank.
I hope all keeps in this condition for a while and theres no more water problems, because its simple phenomenal!
Benson
01-22-2012, 11:42 AM
Here in Phoenix would be a great place to have the solar lighting... wish I could talk my wife into putting in solar tube lighting... :wall: