Solartube reef lighting & lumens to PAR estimation

[Charles Silva]

Hello all

I'm evaluating the possibility of using some Solartubes (http://www.solatube.com/) to lighting a tank.
According to my research the models below delivers around :

160DS = 2.300 lumens
290DS= 4.600 lumens

My intention to simplify the calculation will be illuminate an area of 50 x 50 cm and I would like to know if is there a way to make any kind of estimation of the PAR from lumens and if any user can share some PAR values using SolarTubes in a reef tank and positive and negative aspects of using this kind of system.

Thanks in advance
Charles Silva - Rio de Janeiro
Brazil

 

[oreo54]

first lumens is area-less so converting to PPF would be somewhat pointless..
You then need to define the area to get "PAR"(always used wrong) i.e PPFD from the PPF calculation.

you can play w/ this..all the hard work is done.
http://dev.edman007.com/~edman007/pub/par-dli-cal.html

Using 2300 lumens and 5500k 130 degree beam you get 27 PPF ....and 6ft (2m) from the "object" you get 1.85"PAR" PPFD

 

[Dana Riddle]

The idea of using Solatubes for reef lighting has been discussed for years. In my opinion, it would be supplemental light at best.

 

[mcarroll]

Hello all

I'm evaluating the possibility of using some Solartubes (http://www.solatube.com/) to lighting a tank.
According to my research the models below delivers around :

160DS = 2.300 lumens
290DS= 4.600 lumens

My intention to simplify the calculation will be illuminate an area of 50 x 50 cm and I would like to know if is there a way to make any kind of estimation of the PAR from lumens and if any user can share some PAR values using SolarTubes in a reef tank and positive and negative aspects of using this kind of system.

Thanks in advance
Charles Silva - Rio de Janeiro
Brazil

Do you have a vendor?

Find one. They may have have some installed where you can take a lux meter and get some actual numbers.

Better by a mile than converting specs on a datasheet.

 

[oreo54]

Do you have a vendor?

Find one. They may have have some installed where you can take a lux meter and get some actual numbers.

Better by a mile than converting specs on a datasheet.

Agreed.. Real #'s..
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&ved=0ahUKEwi5wveX2_HbAhUOOawKHXhiDiUQFghBMAQ&url=http://www.jocet.org/vol5/347-D100010.pdf&usg=AOvVaw1x9Jls937OKhhyrnb0n496

A. Results under Sunny Conditions
During the day of October 3 (2013), there was clear sky.
The maximum external global illumination reached 124 Klux
at noon for a diffuse illumination of about 15 Klux. The
maximum illumination under the diffuser is reach at 12:20
and is 1330 lux, with an average illuminance on the mesh of
370 lux.

different light pipe though.. but gives an idea of levels..enough to not buy one for primary lighting..

Daylight lux to PPFD is 54

24.6 "PAR" to average of 6.8..

That said.. a light pipe w/ a good fresnel lens on it directly over a tank may work...
Off the shelf they are not designed for concentrating, but more for diffusing light..

 

[oreo54]

Should add 24.6 dead center at 7.54ft approx..AFAICT