Solartube question

[Randrew215]

I was discussing the concept of solar tubes with my roommate today and stated that the wide spectrum of unfiltered light encouraged algae growth. He asked why people don't just apply filters. This leaves me with two questions:
1. Do solartubes use filters?
2. Can you filter light to allow penetration of multiple specific wavelengths, or do you just permit one wavelength at the exclusion of all others?

I know that this might get a better answer in a thread outside of URS, but I thought I would see what people know here first.
-Andy

 

[GMaquarium]

Why would you want to filter light? The best and still not fully replicated light is what comes free from the sun. Solar tubes have always seemed like an awesome idea to me. Drilling holes in the roof is a whole other story and level of comintment to this idea.

 

[SkiFletch]

You wanna get really cute and do it the way mother nature does? re-inforce the tube and fill it with water

 

[reefman5511]

There are a number of reef tanks that are lit by solartubes. You can do a google search to find them.

 

[Willistein]

To answer your question, yes, filters can be used to do almost anything you want, but solartubes don't use them. They do have a lens at the top that allows better collection at lower angles that probably filters some UV, but that's about it.
With filters you could block any part of the spectrum that you want, but I'm not sure you would want to.

 

[reefman5511]

http://www.solatube.com/residential/product-catalog/brighten-up-series/index.php