Idea? Black Light

skeety · 02-28-2005, 08:32 AM

Okay...so UV sterilizers use UV light to kill off stuff (some good, some bad).

Isn't a black light close to UV?

I was just sitting here wondering what affect a Blacklight would have on a tank. Then I thought..hey...maybe it'd be a poor man's UV sterilizer.

Anyone know anything about the affects a black light would have? Even if it's just looks? would it be harmful?

could be the dumbest idea ever....but I was just wondering.

icebear · 02-28-2005, 09:04 AM

i don't know if the uv waves from a blacklight would be strong enough to do much....

other than that i have no idea... i have seen a little bit of discussion on whether or not blacklights are good or bad for various pets, but didn't read far enough into it to come to any conclusion since i don't keep any animals under blacklights in my home

skeety · 02-28-2005, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icebear

... i have seen a little bit of discussion on whether or not blacklights are good or bad for various pets, but didn't read far enough into it

Where did you see the discussion? here? I'll do a search.

Just thinking, if anything, it might be a temporary was to view at night (like Moon-lights), only cheaper...for now. Just wondering if it might be bad for the fish.

Reefska · 02-28-2005, 02:43 PM

nice idea...but i'm afraid it wouldnt work....

UV bulbs, are VERY strong, you can do serious damage if you look at them. Even with this huge power, the water must travel very close to the bulb, within about 1 or 2 cm to have any major impact on parasites etc, hence the reason pond UVs (clarifiers, not sterilizers)don't work.

So a weak blacklight suspended 5" over the water would do nothing.

It would look cool, but I am sure I have read about negative effects on inhabitants.

If anyone knows otherwise....feel free to chime in

skeety · 02-28-2005, 02:49 PM

okay...so the poor man's uv steralizer idea is out.

now...on to the poor man's moon-light idea.

Someone tell me about the harmful affects.

wharyat · 02-28-2005, 03:33 PM

Well one thing, animals in the ocean are exposed to a lot more UV than our's are, even under MH. Black light's put out just a fraction more UV than a normal fluorescent, I havn't ran a black light full time but I have checked to see what it looks like, It looks kind of cool but still doesn't compare to an actinic.

icebear · 02-28-2005, 03:42 PM

i think the discussion was in a pet bird forum