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Unread 01/24/2012, 08:39 PM   #86
mr.wilson
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,803
Quote:
Originally Posted by snadaud View Post
"
The HUVCO – Parans Fiber Optic Skylight is a unique way to bring natural light deep into an interior space. The system is comprised of an exterior daylight collecting panel which has 64 Fresnel lenses on the inside. These lenses rotate to track the sun automatically, controlled by an internal computer. Each lens acts like a magnifying lens to focus the sunlight. This focused sunlight is directed into a fiber optic strand, each individual strand is combined with other strands to create a fiber optic cable, 6 mm in diameter. There are four fiber optic cables coming out of each panel. Each of these cables can be up to 60 feet long. These cables can be routed through walls or ceilings and bent around obstructions. Each fiber optic cable can be used to bring the natural light to a different interior luminaries; or they can be combined in one luminaries. There are a variety of luminaries available, some of which combine the natural light and electric light into a hybrid fixture. The hybrid fixture can be combined with a sensor that will automatically turn the electric lights off when the natural light is sufficient"

http://huvco.com/products.php?product=parans
Yes we were aware of this product and website. In our Northern location the days are too short and dim during the winter and too long and perhaps too bright during the summer.

A light filter would have to be used to remove the green and red light and increase the blue. Recent studies show that exclusive blue light for a few hours each day is beneficial for coral pigmentation. This is hard to do with natural light.

The light cast by these systems is adequate for reading but may fall short for growing corals in 30" of water. You can look directly at these light wells with the naked eye, so they are likely not nearly as bright as typical aquarium lighting.

I am excited about the technology however. It will no doubt improve and replace artificial lighting some day. Fibre optic technology may prove to have further value with a central (artificial) light source that delivers light to the whole house or office. This would limit heat and noise from light sources.

Renewable energy sources like wind and solar continue to improve steadily and will have a place in our reef hobby sooner than later.


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