Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

http://www.solatube.com/residential/index.php

I was trying to find some solutions for getting more light to the growbeds I'm planning in the basement and came across the solatubes. They appear to be available at different places for a few hundred $US. I wonder if you can buy the prism thing and then just get highly reflective ducts to continue the lighting. There likely a limit to the distance it can go before the light rays have diffused to much. What do you all think? Would this work?

Mebbe...depends on execution, unfortunately.

If they use polished (read highly reflective) surfaces, it will work if conditions outside are right, but performance will fall off drastically as more bends are included. Also, I'd expect it to become less effective over time, as dust and such builds up on surfaces.

It works for lighting closets and hallways (just like a small skylight), but if you're wanting it for plants then the opening is not wide enough to help you grow some IMO.

at max performance you're only going to be getting the amount of light that's stricking the solar 'intake'. If the intake was larger then you'd have more light. Or something crazy like magnifying more light onto the intake... kind of like a solar cooker.

You can get the reflective mylar ducting cheap but the roof covers are pricey, and what BK said re opening v light.

I think you are right that the amount of light from one tube isn't go to be a whole lot. You could do an array of a bunch of the tubes, but by then you might as well have chopped a hole in the ceiling, torn down a wall, or built the dang greenhouse.

our solartube in the walk-in robe doesn't have a dome top, but the guy removed half a sheet of the roofing iron and replaced it with clear stuff. the tube isn't in place either. essentially it is a big skylight, but without the tube. works well in the cupboard, dunno about outside

walk-in aquaponics

Hey have you got one of those walkin rooms where you grow things

yes, clean clothes

Oh

I heard of a company making clothing out of hemp. Jaymie did you just admit to 'growing' your clothes in your wardrobe?