Suntube grow, growing indoors with the sun

[citizen55555]

I've been reading about green building and found that people are using suntubes (tubular directional skylight)

http://www.suntube.co.za/gallery.html

and also solar fiberoptics to light their home

http://www.parans.com/ParansProducts/tabid/892/Default.aspx

I was just wondering if perhaps any indoor growers have a grow closet or box lit by the sun. It seems like it would be the best of both worlds. No heat signature and better light and no high electricity bills? I would love to hear from anyone who knows more about growing this way.

Grow your green the green way!

[cereus]

It's a very interesting idea, but I see several problems. It is not as if it would not work but It will be expensive and might be to much work and effort for to little benefit. I see a greater thing in using this technology to light your house and then use the saved electric bill to run a grow ligth. It is so much easier and cost efficient to grow outside, in a green house or a "winter garden" to. I have also looked in to eco-housing and this technology would be a great addition to such a project, and if you are building anyway well why not try to make a sunlit stealth room. I am just afraid it might be necessary to supplement the room with some extra light (especially on overcast days) and the plants like direct sunlight so you might end up with just to little lumen from these alone.

PS. I just love pondering on new ways to do things :)

[Zandor]

The sun tubes do work, I played with those about 6 years ago at another house we owned. Not for growing but to light a kitchen and yes it did work. So do skylights, but the problem I saw at the time is the installation cost.

I could install my own and did but most people can't. You cut a hole in your roof and you must have a direct line to where ever you are going to grow. Now for a closet IF you have a direct line from the roof into the closet.....that would work.

It would also work of you had a grow shed in your back yard where you could line them up on the roof that would be an easy install. They do bring heat with them too so don't think they are perfect...but for the last suggestion I gave they would be a great choice.

Peace

Z

[vince noir rocknroll star]

i find this subject very interesting indeed as recently i helped install a suntube in a loft conversion for someone ,the tubes now can be installed at angles up to 30degrees off centre ,as the tubs are now lined with something similar to mylar they dont have to be in a straight vertical line from ceiling through loft /cavity to roof they can be offset


http://www.lightupmyroom.co.uk/index.html?gclid=CLLNto-Ep5UCFQxgQgodnBSCkA

http://www.suntubes.ca/

[DarkSpark]

I happened to call in at a roofing materials supplier here in the UK. I saw one of these for the first time (Sun Tunnel by Velux). My first thought was about its uses for growing. Then a couple of days later this thread appeared.

I'm pleasantly surprised to hear Zandor praising them. I thought they would be dismissed due to relatively low lumens. My guess would have been that they are equivalent to growing on the sill of a small window - logic dictates this. I thought the result would be lanky plants and rather low yields.

I wonder what the surface area of these sun tube thingies is. I wonder how this compares to sodium lamp outputs. I think I might look into this subject a bit more just out of interest. Nice thread.

[vince noir rocknroll star]

there are a few forums on the net discussing the use of these at the moment ...one consideration that is causing concern is the uk police`s use of helicopters with cameras ..if you look directly down onto a roof with one of these will you see a plant growing thus giving away your indoor grow ?

[DarkSpark]

there are a few forums on the net discussing the use of these at the moment ...one consideration that is causing concern is the uk police`s use of helicopters with cameras ..if you look directly down onto a roof with one of these will you see a plant growing thus giving away your indoor grow ?

Perhaps a bend would help to disguise a grow: http://www.velux.co.uk/Inspiration/HOT_TOPICS/VELUX+Sun+Tunnel.htm
How much would one cost to supply and fit anyway?

[vince noir rocknroll star]

ive no idea what the guy paid for his ..i was just there to make sure it fitted into the plasterboard ceiling .ill try and find out for ya what he paid ..i know i got a fresh supply of tera all afternoon ,couldnt charge a mate just for my knowledge ;)


it was £186 for a 12" tube system from these guys http://www.tubzzz.com/?gclid=CMa9z-vPqJUCFQ6T1QodFEknkg