sola tube vs skylight for natural lighting?

[sharkdude]

sola tube vs skylight for natural lighting?
I am contemplating adding either a sola tube or a skylight to my garage for my propagation system.

I know the sola tubes are supposed to help focus and direct light from many angles but I'm not sure if that would work better than a couple of large skylights.

I have an outdoor area adjacent to the garage I could place the system, but the sun path limits the amount of direct light it would receive. Thus my thinking a sola tube would help me focus more light over a longer period of the day.

any one use natural light indoors for propagation?

I also think my water heating costs would be lower with the system in the garage?
(I'm in SoCal, but our 'winter' night time temps still drop to 40's).

Chris

 

[Anthony Calfo]

you do need to look into this deeper, my friend... the lens on any of these units vary greatly in UV admission or not. Most filter out UV for people/plants... but that is less than desirable for coral keeping. Allow max UV and filter out as needed (screens) versus filtering all out and needing to add electric lamps to produce UV. Rather ironic

Anthony

 

[sharkdude]

Thanks for the reply Anthony.

UV is a factor I had not considered as I was more focused on the overall intensity of light or LUX, but as I negelected, quality of available light (ie spectrum) is more important than quantity.

 

[Anthony Calfo]

exactly, my friend... this is commonly overlooked by folks buying skylights or even greenhouse glass/glazing/plastics. The majority are made for humans and terrestrial plants and filter sunlight sometimes severely. Do ask for specs on light admission for the products you seek... target materials admitting over 90% light overall... and over 90% UV if/when possible.

kindly,

Anthony