NYfan78
Members
Lmy idea is when i turn the main lights off in the tank i want the moon lights to be on then. So is it safe to leavethe moon lights on 24/7 or what?
I custom built mine using Computer Case lights which have on/off switches built in:
http://cgi.ebay.com/DUAL-12-COMPUTE...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19b9e6f23d
But I just use timers to have them go on and off automatically about a half hour before the main lights on the tank go off.
You can find them on www.newegg.com and www.geek.com too I think. They are cathode lights. Low energy, but like fluroescent lights after a while they start dim and get brighter.
I cut off the PC power supply connecter and stripped the wires and connected them to a radio shack acdc (or just dc, forget which I'll look at mine) adapter that has adjustable voltage (ie, you can adjust the brightness that way). Otherwise for deep tanks get a 12v adapter or find one around your house to use.
The lights come with an on/off switch device, but I always just use a timer set to go on about a half hour before the main lights for the tank go off. ANd I have the moonlights set to stay on for about 1-2 hours.
OR, another thing you can do especially if you have deep tanks, is to just buy a single coralife t5 fixture and put actinic bulbs in it. Has the same dimly lit blue moonlight effect .
If I find the topic I made like two years ago when I built them I'll copy and paste it here.
It's pretty simple...just involves wire cutters, a wire stripper, wire nuts (the things that twist/splice them together), and black electrical tape.
Sure .Ed-
Good idea. I think I'm going to build one that has moonlights for the three tanks we're setting up in my basement rec room.... the 180, 150 and 75. They are spread out along one wall, but I think all of them shining blue after lights-out would be pretty sweet.
I may hit you up for some help when I get the ball rolling.