Solar powered reef

[gregcoyote]

Hello!
Gregcoyote here!

It’s been a while since I posted. I moved to a new home so the outside corner reef was shut down two years ago after over 30 years of continuous operation. But there is good news. The decades old fish are still alive in the new 500 gallon solar reef.

All glass this time. The home and reef are totally solar powered now. Will post more shots of the new fish room soon.

 

[Fish Fan]

That's fantastic!!!

 

[kevgib67]

@robanister

 

[MKS]

Looks awesome!

 

[fishface NJ]

Beautiful! More info!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

That's awesome! I would love to know more about your tank!

 

[gregcoyote]

A few more details.
I designed the solar home to have the tank as a wall divider. A peninsula tank was on my list for years. Planet Aquarium built the 400 gallon tank and stand/canopy. All glass. Heavy but so much easier to maintain in the long haul. Ai leds. Pipes go under the floor to the fish room. Pictures to follow. 100 gallon sump, Red Sea filter roller, huge ozone powered skimmer, custom built algae scrubber, DC return.
Been at this a while so have lots of test equipment. Back ups to the back ups. I’m a paranoid engineer.
But that’s why I have +25 year old reef fish.

It’s all powered by a 30.5kwh solar array, 30kw inverters and 75kwh battery bank. With the grid as the backup. I lost power at my old house and when you have a living reef, it ads a level of panic when the power fails. I should have that worry finally eliminated.
So I’m an old retired engineer who is operating his last tank from a lifetime of raising coral and fish. Stay tuned.

 

[robanister]

Hello!
Gregcoyote here!

It’s been a while since I posted. I moved to a new home so the outside corner reef was shut down two years ago after over 30 years of continuous operation. But there is good news. The decades old fish are still alive in the new 500 gallon solar reef.

All glass this time. The home and reef are totally solar powered now. Will post more shots of the new fish room soon.

Welcome to the solar reef club!

 

[robanister]

A few more details.
I designed the solar home to have the tank as a wall divider. A peninsula tank was on my list for years. Planet Aquarium built the 400 gallon tank and stand/canopy. All glass. Heavy but so much easier to maintain in the long haul. Ai leds. Pipes go under the floor to the fish room. Pictures to follow. 100 gallon sump, Red Sea filter roller, huge ozone powered skimmer, custom built algae scrubber, DC return.
Been at this a while so have lots of test equipment. Back ups to the back ups. I’m a paranoid engineer.
But that’s why I have +25 year old reef fish.

It’s all powered by a 30.5kwh solar array, 30kw inverters and 75kwh battery bank. With the grid as the backup. I lost power at my old house and when you have a living reef, it ads a level of panic when the power fails. I should have that worry finally eliminated.
So I’m an old retired engineer who is operating his last tank from a lifetime of raising coral and fish. Stay tuned.

So how many kw is thr tank pulling daily. Mine is anywhere from 6 to 9 kw.

 

[obanarama]

Beautiful! Are those Purple Queen Anthias in there?

 

[winxp_man]

Talk about work put in!!! Solid!

 

[Tangdora]

So how many kw is thr tank pulling daily. Mine is anywhere from 6 to 9 kw.

+1 to this. I’m between 20 and 25 on a 350 gallon.

 

[gregcoyote]

So how many kw is thr tank pulling daily. Mine is anywhere from 6 to 9 kw.

+1 to this. I’m between 20 and 25 on a 350 gallon.

I’m in the same basic category unless the heat comes on which is rare. 15-20kw per day.