Does Anyone Use A Night Light?

Plecc · Aug 24, 2010

Hi all,

I have an awesome Raphael Catfish, two Spotted Dora and a pair or Bristlenose Plecos, the plec's have become quite active during the day, especially the female.
But my three catfish are just down right lazy during lights on, they still choose to do all there scavenging at night.(guess it makes sense as there nocturnal)

I was thinking about setting up some sort of night light, so after lights out and i switch off the room light i could watch my catfish go about there business.
Has anyone else ever tried this?
I guess the light will have to be a certain colour or spectrum so i can see the fish but they don't see the light!
Ive seen some cheep red and blue LED strip's on ebay claiming to be moonlights, but i think there just standard LED's (most look far too bright)
the alternative seems to be rly expensive ones designed for reef tanks, which I'm sure do a great job but are just too much money.
I am happy to try making one if anyone knows of a suitable type of LED/bulb.
Any help would be great!

Thanks.
Plecc.

james_fish · Aug 24, 2010

I do it one of my tanks have a blue LED light. But even then my catfish rarely comes out. I see him every so often at around 3am when I can't sleep! Depends with the catfish really, for example mine is really shy whereas some are out even during the day.

I'd give it a try if I were you, it gives them a more sense of security but if they are shy they won't do it instantly maybe about half an hour after lights out they will be more confident and visible.

James.

Rorie · Aug 24, 2010

I got a strip of 120 blue LED lights for quite cheap of ebay. I have glued them (using special aquarium glue)around the lid of the aquarium.

I got them as keeping main lights on for 6 hours a day does not provide much viewing of fish. The blue is quite subtle and as they are around the perimeter of the lid, it still allows for LOADS of shaddow places which is good for the fish, but it lights up the water nicely.

Be aware, ordering the cheap LED lights on ebay means you will need to hunt for a power source too as most do not come with that. Easy job though, and it is simple to connect up

I also had catfish, but the lights did not help me find him

Oh, and FYI, i have two timers, put the moonlights on for 3 hours, then they go off and the main go on for 6, then the moonlights come on again for another 3 hours. Much more viewing time, and it apparently is more natural for the fish having sunrise etc.

wrighty.uk.gorl · Aug 24, 2010

I use a 2ft t8 bluemoon on my 4ft tank to see my catfish i have and i have to say that when my main light goes off at 10pm and the bluemoon come on within half hour they are out and about.

I would not be with out my bluemoon now as my plec comes out and about to

Vin Swords · Aug 24, 2010

i have 4 adult catfish. 2 feather fin synos and 2 pictus.

pictuse is bit shy but out for food times. synos are out all the time.

but i have to say, in moonlight they are all out and free swiming.. very relaxing to watch.

Gvilleguy · Aug 24, 2010

If you are not afraid of playing with the wiring, I have an example of creating moonlights in my signature...

Plecc · Aug 25, 2010

Thanks for the rapid feedback guys,

James-fish, are you using a strip of LED's or one of those little underwater spot lights?
Are you able to adjust the brightness of the bulbs?

Rorie, i really like the idea of using a timer to simulate dawn and dusk, i will have to give that a try.
A 120 LED's, thats loads, how big is your tank?
Is it too bright using this many LED's?

Wrighty.uk.gorl, the t8 bluemoon sounds very interesting, i had no idea you can get a moontube.
is the one you have, made by Arcadia?
the only thing that puts me off getting one of these is having to buy another ballast to power it.
Have you ever tried using LED's previously? it would be good to find someone that has tried both to see which they proffered.

Vin Swords, Good to hear you and Wrighty are having success with your moonlights!
What type do you have? LED or tube?
Do you run yours morning and evening?

Guilleguy, nice one, thanks for the step by step, a very tidy modification.
I am also a keen tinkerer, fortunately i have most of this kit, i would just need to get the LED's and the little mounting brackets.
I have a 4 foot tank so if i go down the self build route i would like to use a few more LED's, possibly one or two red ones as well to give a purple tint.
Would i need to use different resistors if i wanted to add more lights?
I think i would also add a potentiometer to fine tune the brightness of the LED's

Sry sooooo many questions

Thanks all, great info.
Plecc

wrighty.uk.gorl · Aug 25, 2010

Plecc said:
Thanks for the rapid feedback guys,

James-fish, are you using a strip of LED's or one of those little underwater spot lights?
Are you able to adjust the brightness of the bulbs?

Rorie, i really like the idea of using a timer to simulate dawn and dusk, i will have to give that a try.
A 120 LED's, thats loads, how big is your tank?
Is it too bright using this many LED's?

Wrighty.uk.gorl, the t8 bluemoon sounds very interesting, i had no idea you can get a moontube.
is the one you have, made by Arcadia?
the only thing that puts me off getting one of these is having to buy another ballast to power it.
Have you ever tried using LED's previously? it would be good to find someone that has tried both to see which they proffered.

Vin Swords, Good to hear you and Wrighty are having success with your moonlights!
What type do you have? LED or tube?
Do you run yours morning and evening?

Guilleguy, nice one, thanks for the step by step, a very tidy modification.
I am also a keen tinkerer, fortunately i have most of this kit, i would just need to get the LED's and the little mounting brackets.
I have a 4 foot tank so if i go down the self build route i would like to use a few more LED's, possibly one or two red ones as well to give a purple tint.
Would i need to use different resistors if i wanted to add more lights?
I think i would also add a potentiometer to fine tune the brightness of the LED's

Sry sooooo many questions

Thanks all, great info.
Plecc

I have used LED's in the past and in my own personal opinion i can not ever get the effect i like with them. I do beleive it going to be down to what you want to see and not others have got to tell the truth. It like i have a 4ft tank now i would never go out and buy a 4ft bluemoon in my eyes it would look to bright and just nasty. Hence why i only have a 2ft t8 on a 4ft tank.

My bluemoon is mad by arcadia though yes. I will upload a photo off my 4ft tank with the bluemoon on if you want so you can see the what i mean about it not being overkill to give you some idea

Gvilleguy · Aug 25, 2010

With more LEDs you woud need smaller resistance than I added to the circuit - you'd have more LEDs drawing power from the D/C adapter, so a smaller need in resistance. My journal has a link to the site I used, where all the electrical math is explained. That person also showed the links where he purchased the LEDs, resistors, and brackets. I bought all my stuff from there and had no trouble. Very inexpensive.

Vin Swords · Aug 25, 2010

i have 120 crisp blue LEDs hooked in a 25v transformar.[with resistance] ..5ft tank..

tubes don't do 'moonlighting'.
only LEDs can.. with right voltage, it will give moonlighting.. u know one with moving cloud shadows( moving water!)..
so from inside of the water fish wont be able to see the lights. just rays

very easy and cheap £20 somthing is more then enugh.