Would it be back to have a 15 watt actinic on all night?

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SteveD

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Apr 1, 2004
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Would it be bad to have a 15 watt actinic on all night?

My little low buck lighting plan now includes a 15 watt actinic that I would like to use late at night or all night. My tank is a 55 gallon fowlr, would the 15 watt keep the fishes up at night? It gives the tank a nice moon lite look!
 
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I have a 13 watt light on my HOB fuge on a reverse cycle, so the main tank has some light all night. No one seems bothered. 15 watts directly over the tank will probably be OK. Could you drop it down a notch?
 
Sure I could tape of part of the cover, so less light gets through. How much should I drop in down? I am sure a moon light would be better, but for $7.99 for the fixture and 12.99 for the bulb I have something that looks just as good to me. I have 160 watts on the tank and a night light now for under $100!
 
You know, I really have no idea. It may be fine as it is. Here's the (fairly non-scientific) way I view it. You don't want the tank to be just dim, it should have a lot of truly dark places for your fish to hide and noctural creatures to explore. If you can still see everything in the tank, then it may be too bright.

That is opinion, purely based on gut feelings, and knowing that fish do sleep.

Since the lights should be on timers anyway, it's also possible to have all lights off for several hours during the night.
 
hmmm I could run my main lighting from like 10-8, then the 15 watt from 8 till midnight. Do they sell a timer than can operate more than 2 lights? I would like to control my actinics, full spectrum and moonlight all seperately
 
Yup you should be able to get one at your local radio shack. Also something I've done in the past is hung christmas lights around my tank. They provide a dim indirect light source.
just a though
chris
 
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