Our 400 Gallon In Wall Natural Sun-Lit Reef

Sltloser

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So now that I've entered the 21st century when it comes to lighting and electronics I think I've built a pretty nice color curve not changing the natural lighting too drastically.

In the first picture is the lighting curve with the Kessil a500x's running at 30% curve leaning more towards the 10-12K spectrum range with very little actinic added.

The second picture is full spectrum natural lighting picture taken at 1300 without any enhanced LED added.

What's everyone's thoughts on this color curve?

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I personally really like the addition of the kessils to give it just a hint of blue. I think over time you'll see more of the colors come out and still not loose any of the natural feel!
 

Fudsey

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I personally really like the addition of the kessils to give it just a hint of blue. I think over time you'll see more of the colors come out and still not loose any of the natural feel!
I agree :)
 

Dani305

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Hey friend. I know you dont know me, but I feel like I know about you. I read this whole thread, skimmed over many a thank yous from you to every member telling you how awesome your tank is, oh and is it awesome! I made it to the very end, and let me tell ya, at one point I bawled!

I first saw your post in the "Whats everyone using for lights" thread, and when I saw that you did the sunlight domes, I was invested. My bf and I will be building a house within the next year and a half and we have plans to put in a larger tank than we have now. I sent him the pics of the domes from 2012, and of your mermaid! <3

I cried a few times for you, and about the loss of Kelly. Im so sorry that your partner in crime has been gone for 9 years this year. Your writings are lovely, and sad, but show such a real side of grief. She is with you, in your heart and she is also in every person who has seen this thread throughout the years. Shes the mermaid of that tank, watching over you. Her memory is definitely a blessing!

I hope that you are living life like you would be with her, and celebrating her every day with your happiness.
 
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jdpiii3

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Hey friend. I know you dont know me, but I feel like I know about you. I read this whole thread, skimmed over many a thank yous from you to every member telling you how awesome your tank is, oh and is it awesome! I made it to the very end, and let me tell ya, at one point I bawled!

I first saw your post in the "Whats everyone using for lights" thread, and when I saw that you did the sunlight domes, I was invested. My bf and I will be building a house within the next year and a half and we have plans to put in a larger tank than we have now. I sent him the pics of the domes from 2012, and of your mermaid! <3

I cried a few times for you, and about the loss of Kelly. Im so sorry that your partner in crime has been gone for 9 years this year. Your writings are lovely, and sad, but show such a real side of grief. She is with you, in your heart and she is also in every person who has seen this thread throughout the years. Shes the mermaid of that tank, watching over you. Her memory is definitely a blessing!

I hope that you are living life like you would be with her, and celebrating her every day with your happiness.
Hi Dani, thank you so much for the thoughtful comments, Kelly truly was the inspiration behind this build. I so wish she could have seen it mature into the thriving ecosystem it has become.

When designing your new system be sure to keep in mind ideal position for the sun domes would be facing the Southwest sky, you'll be amazed at how much light you will collect even more so than I do up here in Tampa.

Please be sure to start a reef build thread so we can all follow along!

Happy reefing!
 

jsker

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I always enjoy your build thread. :)
 

Sltloser

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Happy 4th of July everyone, here are a few night time shots of the reef with the sun going down its just 8:30pm in Tampa.
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Do the solar domes catch moonlight at all? Say if it's a full moon can you see pretty easily into the tank late at night?
 
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jdpiii3

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Do the solar domes catch moonlight at all? Say if it's a full moon can you see pretty easily into the tank late at night
While the domes do collect a bit of moonlight it needs to be from a super full moon and even then it's difficult to see inside the tank. That would be cool if I could get a moon lighting effect.
 

schabiazabi

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Wow, I found this thread by accident. Being bored at night I started checking out big tanks and I realized right away I know this tank. I watched your video online like 10 years ago. Never knew you are here on the forum. Your natural lighting was the best thing I have seen on a tank. That's how I always wanted my tanks to look like. I'm so glad you're going strong and are here writing to us showing your beauty.
 
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jdpiii3

jdpiii3

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Wow, I found this thread by accident. Being bored at night I started checking out big tanks and I realized right away I know this tank. I watched your video online like 10 years ago. Never knew you are here on the forum. Your natural lighting was the best thing I have seen on a tank. That's how I always wanted my tanks to look like. I'm so glad you're going strong and are here writing to us showing your beauty.
Thanks so much, it was touch and go for a while whether or not I was going to take the tank down. Think I made the right decision keeping it going.

Glad to have you following along.

Thinking it might be time for a new YouTube video.
 
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jdpiii3

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Katie says hold on one minute Angelina! While you are a great addition to our 400 gallon natural sunlit reef, I'm one of the original OG's. I've been around since the early 2000s. I've made it through power outages, pump failures, hurricanes, weird salinity swings a big move uptown and this one time dad brought home a stingray for the tank, I kid you not a freaking Stingray...who knows what he was thinking.

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christwendt

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Solar lighting; I decided to use Sun-Dome, they were the only company that had a pitched 21†dome plus they build the domes to Miami/ Dade hurricane specs.
I did most of the work with the install of the domes but I did have a professional installer come in to cut the roof and install the domes. Total costs of the domes were about $1100. And they come with a 10 year warranty.
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You posted on my apex controller thread about a tablet. I came across this and I noticed the picture of your wife seemed similar with her in the tank. This is so cool wow I love the natural sunlight.
 

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