Moon Light.

DennisW · 08-23-2001, 12:37 AM

I have a 100g tank. Two days ago I got a 25W blue party light bulb and an outdoor flood light fixture from Lowes. I hooked it all up and it looks really cool in the tank after all the lights have gone out. I run it all night. I use to just use a little white night light that was stuck in an outlet in the same room. The blue light seems to light the tank a little more than the old night light. My question is, is how does this impact the tank? Any problems associated with this. Just wondering everyones opinion and experience with moonlight on a reef tank.

Thanks
Dennis

Doug1 · 08-23-2001, 01:04 AM

Hey Dennis sorry to have missed you, work is the bane of the reefing class

The blue lights seem harmless, the red are less visible to fish but who knows with corals. If it looks good go for it unless you notice some detriment

Drew · 08-23-2001, 01:06 AM

Hi Dennis,

Some people think that moonlight is helpful and makes for more natural settings. I am of the opinion that moonlight is a nice thing to have, but isn't needed. It is supposedly linked with many corals spawnings. These are rare in our aquariums, but moonlight seems to have some effect on these. They are a mixed blessing though, as all the die-off can cause a tank to crash.
Also, I have read that it is important to have complete darkness on occasion too. I can't remember where I heard this, so if somebody could back it up thanks. I had planned on installing moon lights into my hood, but never got around to it, I would really like to though.

Drew

[ 08-23-2001: Message edited by: Drewman ]

Doug1 · 08-23-2001, 01:16 AM

hey Drew are you stil up, meet me in IRC chat

Drew · 08-23-2001, 02:03 AM

doug you still up? I left the computer for 45 min. I'll go check IRC, maybe your there

Drew · 08-23-2001, 02:19 AM

Sorry I missed you Doug, I'll still be up for a while if you get this, jsut let me know.

Reef Rat · 08-23-2001, 07:36 AM

Excessive illumination of your tank can be a complicating agent in marine fishes resulting in degenerative blindness. Fish maintained under 24 hour illumination are incapable of regenerating the retinal pigments necessary for normal vision. Unfortunately, I can't tell you if your moon light would be considered "excessive" or not. At any rate, I would suggest giving your fish a good 6-8 hours of complete darkness every day.

Cheers,
Steve

Triatik · 08-23-2001, 07:58 AM

Dennis, we must think alike. Monday I bought one of the same 25w blue party lights and placed it in a fixture that I have been aiming at one end of the tank. That way, half the tank is total dark. I leave it on all night. ( My wife and kids think I an a bit crazy) Right now I have no corals, only two clowns.

Homer

bill-e · 08-23-2001, 07:01 PM

Within 30 days of installing a moonlight connected to my acquacontroller, my clowns spawned. they hadnt spawned in the previous 1.8 years. I've been running the moonlight for about 8 months.

Of course, with the Aquacontroller, it follows the moon cycle so intensity, duration, and time of day varies like in real life.

If you were concerned, you could put your moonlight on a 7 day timer and have it on various durations and even off for a night or two a week....but I'm not sure that's necessary.

Hmm, maybe I'll write a JAVA program to work x10 modules to simulate the moon...

bill-e · 08-31-2001, 10:28 PM

Well, although I dont need one, this thread caused me to create a program for the moon lamp. I cant believe how difficult it was to find a formula for calculating moonrise/set. I spent way too many hours on this already (probably 40) but now I wont stop till it's perfect.

I think it does all that anyone would want...it performs the same as the moon lamp on an Aquacontroller.

Take a look at this url and tell me what you think.

http://www.mv.com/users/besposito/jmoonlight1.html

fishinchick · 08-31-2001, 10:49 PM

IRC?? There is a Reef tank chat? Where? How do I get in? I am tired of all these stupid pet chat rooms where everyone has a gold fish that floats upside down.......

Triatik · 09-01-2001, 08:34 AM

Bill-e, I just checked out the url and it looks simple to operate. Right now, Each night I switch the blue light on and aim it at part of the tank. Each morning I turn it off. I try to vary the amount of light hitting the tank.

I have an X-10 security system in my house. Can I use that to add the module for this?

Homer

bill-e · 09-01-2001, 09:21 AM

Quote:

I have an X-10 security system in my house. Can I use that to add the module for this?

No, this is designed to allow your PC to talk to the X10 modules via the X10 FireCracker, which in turn transmitts the codes via RF to the TM751 receiver, which in turn then transmitts the codes via the power line. At a minimum you will need the FireCracker module and the TM751 or equivelent. I havent found the items in the FireCracker Kit available separately...although I havent done an extensive search of the site.

Triatik · 09-01-2001, 09:36 AM

Thanks Bill, I have been checking out your web links and am learning lots. I could see someday having the "automation" like you have. I like the idea of being able to check on things from work (which is where I am right now). Also, would like to add a camera so I could actually see my tank from work. THAT would be neat!!

Homer