Anyone ever tried to replicate sun movement?

[anon9896]

I'm wondering if I should go through the work of doing so...

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I would say the benefit depends on the lighting you have. I've considered it but only because I have pretty severe shading issues with Kessil A360s. Replicating the movement of the sun would bring light to shaded areas during part of the daily cycle (which is more light than they receive now).

If you have a more diffuse light source like T5s or black box LEDs, I don't think you would see much benefit in replicating the movement of the sun.

Just my two cents.

 

[Feet4Fish]

melev has a YouTube video on this

 

[anon9896]

You make me think , bring light to shaded areas, that could help corals that require lesser light intensity. But one thing i'm wondering, say you give light all around a coral .... will that help him grow sideways instead of vertically and maybe superimpose themselves a bit making the tank even more dense looking?

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Now, I suppose the devil is in the details when you use the word "replicate" because you could simulate it with light timing and intensity. However, in my case, that wouldn't address the shading issues as the lights wouldn't physically move...only the photoperiod would vary for each light during the day. If that is how you meant the word "replicate", I'm not sure it's worth the effort.

 

[anon9896]

Now, I suppose the devil is in the details when you use the word "replicate" because you could simulate it with light timing and intensity. However, in my case, that wouldn't address the shading issues as the lights wouldn't physically move...only the photoperiod would vary for each light during the day. If that is how you meant the word "replicate", I'm not sure it's worth the effort.

I'm thinking to build a circular(half eliptic) ramp and move light from one side of the aquarium to the other side

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I'm thinking to build a circular(half eliptic) ramp and move light from one side of the aquarium to the other side

This is along the same lines as I was thinking as well. Then I thought, "If all I'm trying to do is reduce shading, maybe I should change my light type." LOL Seems like changing lights is more straightforward than having a mechanical device to physically move lights around.

 

[anon9896]

Indeed having a problem to start with is not a good reason... lol you could simply buy one that doesnt have the specific problem.
Since you have a linear light do you have some growth issues ? As corals stayin small but that are in very good shape? Burned corals ? Anything else that is remarkable?
My light already has sunrise and sunset replication inbuilt...
I want to replicate suns movement... I think you would not need gradated lights to do so becose light hitting the water line sideways would be refracted and would recreate the sunset sunrise in the most perfect way ...

 

[anon9896]

melev has a YouTube video on this

Virtually, there is a video for everything lol

 

[C. Eymann]

I have thought about a reverse arc rail type of design, with a single point source of light on motors please excuse my crude drawing, I dont think it would really have much benefit other than preventing shading possibly.

 

[andrewkw]

I've seen a few places use light movers in the past (10+ years ago) where they would use 1 or 2 metal halides to cover an entire vat. It proved problematic for selling corals since you'd have to wait for the light to come back.

There is one led light that moves I can't think of the brand off hand. I saw it about a year or 2 ago and it has not become popular. Even if something like this worked for growth I think it would be annoying for viewing and would probably be limited to grow out tanks as far as usability.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I have thought about a reverse arc rail type of design, with a single point source of light on motors please excuse my crude drawing, I dont think it would really have much benefit other than preventing shading possibly.

I was actually considering a racetrack design where the position (and possibly intensity) are varied throughout the photoperiod.

 

[SandJ]

This company makes light moving rails...

LightRail® Light Movers | Indoor Grow Light Systems & Equipment

The science behind LightRail Light Movers - Plants need the energy of light to grow. The lamp-moving technology allows for more illumination in your garden.

www.lightrail3.com

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I've seen a few places use light movers in the past (10+ years ago) where they would use 1 or 2 metal halides to cover an entire vat. It proved problematic for selling corals since you'd have to wait for the light to come back.

There is one led light that moves I can't think of the brand off hand. I saw it about a year or 2 ago and it has not become popular. Even if something like this worked for growth I think it would be annoying for viewing and would probably be limited to grow out tanks as far as usability.

Those are good points!

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

Wasn’t there a light that did this recently? Focustronic maybe?

 

[andrewkw]

Wasn’t there a light that did this recently? Focustronic maybe?

That's the one.

FOCUS 1

<div>•Wireless Control via iOS APP from iPhone or iPad Master and Slave communication between fixtures</div> <div>•Aluminum Die-Cast body acts as Passive Cooling while the LED cluster enjoys additional Active Cooling</div> <div>•Compatibl

www.focustronic.net

 

[anon9896]

I have thought about a reverse arc rail type of design, with a single point source of light on motors please excuse my crude drawing, I dont think it would really have much benefit other than preventing shading possibly.

Hehe your drawing is awesome xD
But is there a reason why you planned on doing a 'reversed' arc ?
And about the shading that it would prevent , that would be a great benefit imo.

 

[Silver14SS]

Wasn’t there a light that did this recently? Focustronic maybe?

That's the one.

FOCUS 1

<div>•Wireless Control via iOS APP from iPhone or iPad Master and Slave communication between fixtures</div> <div>•Aluminum Die-Cast body acts as Passive Cooling while the LED cluster enjoys additional Active Cooling</div> <div>•Compatibl

www.focustronic.net

Looks like a new version is in development!

 

[C. Eymann]

Hehe your drawing is awesome xD
But is there a reason why you planned on doing a 'reversed' arc ?
And about the shading that it would prevent , that would be a great benefit imo.

I thought up the concept back in the early 2000s when we first started seeing light movers for halides in the hobby. I also thought about using two halides that meet low towards the middle during "high noon" then both reversing back wards up the rail to each upper further in, it would really benefit if their were servos that also oscillated tilt/angle in respect to position on the rail.

The big reason I thought of its benefits was the varying intensities, as this was back when dimmable bulbs or LEDs for that matter were not a thing yet.

I dont see it as being anything beneficial these days to be honest, other than just a cool concept.
Edit : I guess it could be beneficial for LEDs though? light shading wasn't an issue with halides really, I haven't revisited this idea until I saw this thread pop up

Hmmmm maybe I shouldn't be sharing this........lol

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I was trying to remember one I saw a few years ago. Maybe it was the Focustronic