[Dive_Master]

Some time ago, someone posted that moonlights will affect the animal's photosynthetic period. I guess there was some study done, that I could not find any refrences to.

Well, what do we think now. Is it ok to have moonlights or not?

In addtion, what you guys and gals think about black flourescent lights? I just put one on my tank to see the affects. It is not ver spectacular.

I am thinking of buying the PFO 1 Watt moon light, What do you guys think and have any experience with it.

[Samper]

Black lights have absolutely no positive impact on your system. As for the moonlights I think the jury is still arguing.

[Dive_Master]

Can you eleborate on the Black Light's postiive impact?

Does it have any negative impact?

[Samper]

Everything I've ever read simply said, don't use em.

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by Dive_Master

Some time ago, someone posted that moonlights will affect the animal's photosynthetic period. I guess there was some study done, that I could not find any refrences to.

Well, what do we think now. Is it ok to have moonlights or not?

If you really want to duplicate natural conditions, you would want to include moonlight over your reef tank just as there is moonlight over the ocean. Of course it is OK to have moonlight IF it replicates natural moonlight.

Is it OK to have "moonlight" that is not even close to natural moonlight? Maybe, maybe not. It all depends on just how unnatural you get. This subject has come up before, so you should be able to find other threads on this board. In order to replicate natural moonlight, you would need a controller to dim the intensity to match the moon's phases and to turn on the lamp at moonrise and turn it off at moonset. A single 25w blue incandescent lamp should be sufficient for a 3'-4' long tank and two 25w lamps would be enough for a 6'-8' long tank. Steve Tyree has a moonlight intensity chart online somewhere and I remember posting values from it in a previous thread on this board. You could look it up if you are really interested.

It would not be a good idea to run lights at night that are more intense than natural moonlight. Someone posted that their LFS told them it would be OK to keep their PC fluorescent actinics on 24 hours a day. That is just plain stupid.

In addtion, what you guys and gals think about black flourescent lights? I just put one on my tank to see the affects. It is not ver spectacular.

I'm not a fan of running blacklight over a reef tank. If it is weak enough it may not cause any harm but why chance it. It is ultraviolet light. It would certainly have no benefit and it might annoy the fish. People who use them do it strictly because they like the appearance, not because of any benefit whatsoever.

I am thinking of buying the PFO 1 Watt moon light, What do you guys think and have any experience with it.

I have no experience with any of the LED "moonlights" but it shouldn't cause any harm. It won't provide any benefit either other than acting as a nightlight. The only benefit to be had from moonlights is in duplicating natural conditions because many animals cue their spawning events to the moon's natural cycles. If you can't duplicate natural conditions, then all you have is a nightlight.

[Dive_Master]

Originally Posted by Ninong

If you really want to duplicate natural conditions, you would want to include moonlight over your reef tank just as there is moonlight over the ocean. Of course it is OK to have moonlight IF it replicates natural moonlight.

Is it OK to have "moonlight" that is not even close to natural moonlight? Maybe, maybe not. It all depends on just how unnatural you get. This subject has come up before, so you should be able to find other threads on this board. In order to replicate natural moonlight, you would need a controller to dim the intensity to match the moon's phases and to turn on the lamp at moonrise and turn it off at moonset. A single 25w blue incandescent lamp should be sufficient for a 3'-4' long tank and two 25w lamps would be enough for a 6'-8' long tank. Steve Tyree has a moonlight intensity chart online somewhere and I remember posting values from it in a previous thread on this board. You could look it up if you are really interested.

It would not be a good idea to run lights at night that are more intense than natural moonlight. Someone posted that their LFS told them it would be OK to keep their PC fluorescent actinics on 24 hours a day. That is just plain stupid.

I'm not a fan of running blacklight over a reef tank. If it is weak enough it may not cause any harm but why chance it. It is ultraviolet light. It would certainly have no benefit and it might annoy the fish. People who use them do it strictly because they like the appearance, not because of any benefit whatsoever.

I have no experience with any of the LED "moonlights" but it shouldn't cause any harm. It won't provide any benefit either other than acting as a nightlight. The only benefit to be had from moonlights is in duplicating natural conditions because many animals cue their spawning events to the moon's natural cycles. If you can't duplicate natural conditions, then all you have is a nightlight.

Thank you, your response was very good. I appreciate the feedback.

The black light is above the Moray EEL tank now and it looks like he likes it. I will keep it there for couple of hours becuse it looks good.

I will do the reesearch on the moon light. I am thinking about designig a circuit that will duplicate the moon phases. I will share with you guys when it is all done and working.

[saltjunkie]

are red lights sti.ll okay to use? i know it isnt a night light or moon light....
i remember reading that the red color spectrum isnt really seen by the tank inhabitiants???

[Dive_Master]

Originally Posted by saltjunkie

are red lights sti.ll okay to use? i know it isnt a night light or moon light....
i remember reading that the red color spectrum isnt really seen by the tank inhabitiants???

I thin kred lights would cuse your algea to bloom.

[Dive_Master]

Originally Posted by Dive_Master

I thin kred lights would cuse your algea to bloom.

also, red is visible but in very shallow water

[Dive_Master]

I bought one. It looks great. I am going to get another one for the other half of the tank.

The look cannot described. I can post some pictures if you guys want..

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by Dive_Master

I bought one. It looks great. I am going to get another one for the other half of the tank.

The look cannot described. I can post some pictures if you guys want..

I would be interested in seeing the pics... also keep us posted on whether or not it causes any unwanted algal blooms

[percman]

hi guys this is my 1st post so ill keep it simple. I've had 4moonlights on my 55 gal for over a year they came with the 48" custom sealife pc i bought i have a ritteri, alveapora, and a bunch of zoas they've all done well with the moonlights on all night oh i've got a HUGE colt coral too. i'm not exaclty sure what kind of moonlights y'all are talkin about but mine appear very natural (at least to me). so if my vote counts i say it's fine to keep them on all night.-adam

[dougc]

I am running moonlights on a lunar cycle controlled by my AquaController. They are LEDs and are dimmed by the x10 module. I have a school of cardinals that seems to benefit from the light. They are pretty active when the moon is out and I sometimes feed them at night.

I recently read the some species of lionfish use different hunting strategies depending on the presence or absence of moonlight.

Although the moon can trigger spawning events, I am not sure I want to experience that benefit. A mass spawning can be problematic, as Zhenya can attest from his recent experience.

I think I run moonlights for the same esthetic reasons that we run actinic lights during the day. Even if there is no demonstrable benefit, it looks cool!

[lwkimbley]

I used blue rope light. It being christmas they are easy to find. The fish seem very happy and the nocturnals like the 2 brittle starfish I have still come out at night. I do not turn on the lights if the moon is not present outside.

[SaltyNewb]

Unless you are planning to mate and spawn then you can keep it on all the time. Otherwise it is best to get the lunar tracker or similar which dims the light to the moon cycle.