cheap alternative to moonlight lamps?

[jandree22]

hey guys, I'm familiar with these from back in the days when i kept tree frogs. This is actually a reptile lamp, but I was thinking if I aimed two of these down in my tank in the nights it would create a stunning moonlight glow. The bulbs are only $6 a pop and fit standard 60W, 100W, or 150W fixtures. I know they're designed as heat lamps, but I doubt they get hotter than most halides and I can just keep my fan blowing during the night time hours. Whatcha guys think?

That Fish Place/That Pet Place... Lancaster, PA

 

[hdtran]

This is a bit complicated to explain, but i'll give it a shot:

I painted the back of my tank blue (glass tank). I also have a CPR hang-on-fuge. I lined the tank-side of the fuge with black construction paper. Then, I put a Coralife Aqualite PC lamp (light? fixture?) on top of the fuge.

When the main tank lights go off, the fuge lights still remain on for another hour or two. The fuge lights sort of filter through the construction paper and the tank paint, creating a pretty nifty moonlight effect in the main tank.

When I try to take a picture, my digital camera complains. Or else, the flash goes off, which defeats the whole purpose...

But what you're proposing to do would certainly work.

 

[taikonaut]

As long as you only turn it on a few minutes a day, it is no problem, otherwise, spend the money electricity bill on something better.

Even a 5 Watt night night will beat that bulb... did you see any ele. lumin. night night? Cheaper alternative than that.

 

[npaden]

Go with the rope lights! You should be able to find them at Lowes for sure. They come in several colors but blue is great. They are dimable and work with the x10 lamp modules. VERY cool and less than $10. I use them and they are great.

Here is a link to some online. They are designed for outdoor use and there are lots of people using them and I haven't ever heard of any problems.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... 06-2197748

FWIW, Nathan

 

[brandon4291]

Even though it may not matter, aren't those reptile lights engineered to output more-than-usual UV spectrum to compensate for cholecalciferol (vit D3) deficiencies in captive herps? Who knows, maybe it would help spurn denser reflective proteins in the corals and make them brighter in time. Just a guess, Id say go with the ropes or another alternative but if you try it tell us how it does over the course of a few weeks.

Nathan, what's up man?

B

 

[brandon4291]

Just followed the link, that does not appear to be a UV-specific bulb...?

B

 

[Anonymous]

The rope light idea is the best one I have seen in a long time!
I am going to pick up a section next time I am at the local HDepot or Lowe's.

 

[Unarce]

When the main tank lights go off, the fuge lights still remain on for another hour or two. The fuge lights sort of filter through the construction paper and the tank paint, creating a pretty nifty moonlight effect in the main tank.

I was able to "kill two birds with one stone" that way also. I've got a single 9 watt actinic bulb lighting my refugium at a reverse photoperiod. Since I face it sideways to the sump, it reflects up into the hood reflectors and back down, fully illuminating the tank.

I really like the rope light idea, too.

 

[npaden]

The rope lights are pure plug and play. The little plastic clips don't work very long but you can just buy some metal hanging clips and one size fits the rope light perfectly.

I did the 25W blue party bulbs for years but the rope light kicks butt and is cheap.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[jandree22]

wow, that rope light idea really does sounds awesome! where you place them for the best effect?

as far as the UV thing from the reptile lamp, you actually may be right, i forgot about that. it's not on Coralife's or That Fish Place's site, but i know i've heard of that before. Plus, I didnt consider all the electric that'd be sucked from the spot light!

I'm goin w/ rope lights

 

[npaden]

I just attached them to the top of my canopy. They are available in several different lengths. I would go with at least 1 to 2 feet of rope light per foot of tank.

I'm using a 12' rope light on my 10' tank and it is a tiny bit dim. I know someone using a 12' rope light on a 6' tank and they really like it. I wouldn't want it to bright though. The neat thing is that if you buy a 6' one and decide it isn't bright enough you can just plug another segment right to the end of the first. Very cool. The rope lights are very low wattage as well.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[jandree22]

cool, thanks npaden. I'll probably buy around 12ft. of it for my 75gal (4ft), and if it's too bright I'll just wrap some duct tape around a few feet.


btw, just looked at your site.... AWESOME pics from Fiji and your tank is unreal!!!

 

[jandree22]

hmm, i think i might've messed up. I went to Lowes and got an 18' length of purple. The purple cover had an awesome purple color w/blue iridescent highlights, so that's why i chose that. Problem is it casts more of a reddish tint than blue. I'm debating whether or not to exchange for blue... I also realized that 18' is way more than enough

 

[Anonymous]

you can cut rope lights into (almost) any length you want. Most brands have 'cut here' markers along the length of the rope. You can cut off what you want, and sell the rest (hint hint.) You just need to find the specific plug-caps for that brand. Most two or three circuits. you just need either two or three circuit plugs.

We buy 100' spools of the stuff at the theater I work for. Then you just buy the plugs and the end caps and you're in business!


B

 

[npaden]

I would return the purple and get the blue. The blue is awesome.

 

[jandree22]

that's a big 10-4, I already have the purples repackaged :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Finally made it to the HomeDepot!!!!

The final product looks great at night. The corals act like they normnally do at night. All the crabs, shrimp and snails come out.
Best $10 I've spent on the tank so far.

Maybe would be a good posting for DIY?

 

[npaden]

Looks good. I really don't understand all the crazy things people do with LEDs and stuff for moonlighting when all they need to do is pick up this stuff at Lowe's. I looked this weekend and 18' of it is $10!

FWIW, Nathan

 

[silly34]

I picked up two night light LEDs from walmart they work perfect, not too bright and once your eyes have adjusted you can see the critters.

Rope idea is nice but still too bright for my taste, at one point I was tring to find bulbs at 2watts but no luck.

B.

 

[npaden]

The rope lights are dimmable with any reostat. (the wall switch dimmer thingys)

The best thing is that they work with the x10 lamp modules so I run mine with the elightmaster lighting program and it dims them based on the phase of the moon.

FWIW, Nathan