Solar roof lights

[NEWMAN]

Anybody doing this out there? Looks very interesting

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2061990&highlight=roof+lights

[Viggen]

http://www.firstdaynaturallighting.com

a local place that sells them, I have been debating on trying their solar powered attic power vent......

[DarinSchmidt]

I haev been thinking about doing this as well. I'm a big fan of things being natural and not too blued out to make things glow like in many awesome photo's i have seen, plus it saves on energy and is tuned to natural light cycles. But i dont think that its the best thing for ohio as we dont have a lot of sunny days if you are going with those alone. So I think that eventually I'm just going to install some solar panels to compensate for the energy usage and call it even lol.

[NEWMAN]

The only thing I dont know about having these solar lights is, could you hook a photocell with a automatic dimmer to some LED fixtures that would make them brighter on those cloudy days. The LED fixtures would dim as the photocell got more light.

[Boonjob]

The only thing I dont know about having these solar lights is, could you hook a photocell with a automatic dimmer to some LED fixtures that would make them brighter on those cloudy days. The LED fixtures would dim as the photocell got more light.

I don't see why you couldn't... but I am not sure how much sensitvity you are asking from the photo cell? as Most I have come across require a big difference of daylight between on and off... But given the correct cells and sensitivty I think you have a winner there... snow in the winter cause any problems? or do they heat those tubes at night, Also what are your run times? winter sun goes down around 6, but with a photo cell you'd still be good .

[slandis3]

You would probably need to use the sensor from a par meter.

[bkvreef]

Has anyone asked Rich at Coral Ranch about the solar?  I know he has some additional lighting but I don't think he depends heavily on the extra lighting.

[Boonjob]

Has anyone asked Rich at Coral Ranch about the solar?  I know he has some additional lighting but I don't think he depends heavily on the extra lighting.

No too sure... i personally am not a fan of the sun look... yeah i know it's best but I love that "blue" look that makes everything pop

Spare the tube, invest in solar panels for a KA LED setup.... save energy that way, and keep your blue artificial look.... my .02

I also wonder how the sunlight can start in on some algae? since it's right around that 3k-6500k mark depending on what time of day it is. might make a nasty mess.

[NEWMAN]

I wouldn't think algae would be a issue at all if your parameters are in check. I do like the artificial blue look too but having the natural sun light would just be killer. Like seeing the lightening outside flashing inside your tank on those stormy days. That would be so coooooool. I can feel my blood-pressure rising.

[lazylivin]

This is old but thought you would like it. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1457056

[NEWMAN]

That's a great link to look at, You definitely can get some great ideas. Thanks for posting it Lazy

[HUNGER]

Like seeing the lightening outside flashing inside your tank on those stormy days. 

that would be sweet