Skylight/Clear ceilings...replace MH's

[scubadude]

I have heard of some wild skylights putting out some intense lighting.....I am very surprised nobody has checked into this yet....can anyone give me some info on this?

[Ltspd]

In the 2002 annual there is a 2000g tank being constructed by I think Harker that incorporates the use of skylights into the lighting scheme. Cant be use as whole sorce but imo it is a viable option to add more light.

[Sker]

Rocky check out these threads...
http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin...001/10/1/39632

http://www.thekrib.com/Lights/sun-tube.html

http://www.buyskylights.com/how_it_works.htm

[organicreefer]

scuba, in hydroponics magazines they have been advertising a product called a "light tube" for years ,and if i owned my house id probly have bought one by now.its basicall a skylight that you place on youre roof in a position to catch the max amount of sun throughout the day (most likely the south side)and the inside of the tube is made of spectral alluminum that can bend in youre attic to come out right above the spot you need it ...looks awesome.using sunlight is a great idea ,but in north america i would say it would be supplemental at best .

[Ltspd]

Organic, got any links to those tubes?

[scubadude]

Originally posted by Ltspd
Organic, got any links to those tubes?

http://www.michaelholigan.com/depart...M99TBUDM96189#

There ya go bud! FWIW Im thinking about putting a Greenhouse in my backyard for coral tanks :P

[Sker]

Here are a couple more manufacturers of the "sun tube":

http://sunbeamer.com/products.htm

http://www.solatube.com/home.htm

[thezookeeper]

Scuba,
I just knew you'd be looking into that after reading that new book. LOL It's a fabulous, expensive idea. But wonderful, none the less. Now you, too, can get 48,000 lbs. of sand delivered to your house.


Joanne

[scubadude]

Originally posted by thezookeeper
Scuba,
I just knew you'd be looking into that after reading that new book. LOL It's a fabulous, expensive idea. But wonderful, none the less. Now you, too, can get 48,000 lbs. of sand delivered to your house.


Joanne

LMAO...you have no idea what type of monster that book has turned me into... check this out

http://www.reefland.com/cgi-bin/foru...&threadid=5984

[GregD]

I know this thread is a bit of a "what-if/wouldn't it be cool" thread, so I don't mean to be the pragmatist, but....

wouldn't the par of the light diminish within the first inch or two of hitting the water. I wouldn' think the intensity of a light, through a reflective tube or otherwise would penetrate water very well.

I just think the comparison to a greenhouse isn't applicable here because the light is not forced to pass through water as a medium before making it to the plant. (Unless you fill your greenhouse with water and create a 400,000 gallon aquarium....wait this is starting to sound cooler )

Greg D

[thezookeeper]

Hi GregD! Check out The Book of Coral Propigation by Anthony Calfo. He did what Scuba is talking about. He was ultimately successful. It can be done. But more info is in that book on the subject.


Joanne

[Chicago]

one of themanufactureres is in my home town and sell the light tubes to zoos in the chicagoland area. i went to his home which he sells out of to see a demo. on a cloudy day it will not provide enough light. on a sunny day maybe. keep in mind that during the winter the intesity will be alot less. alsonote that the longer the tube the more light you will lose. it is also a must to use a light diffuser. if you dont the light appears to be a ring on the walls of the room due to refractions ect.


bottom line in most applications a light tube will not works.. sky light with clear glass is a different story., but again remeber that the again of the sun is alsoways changing.
there should be threads in the achinvess on this from about a year ago

[scubadude]

Heres another post goin on at RC where a guy is using ONLY solartubes for his tank and he has had success....of course he lives in Arizona and he has a flat roof.

http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin...threadid=56125