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mostlycichlids
10-27-2006, 12:11 PM
I was looking in to using lunar lighting for my 120 gallon tank. Does anyone use night lights on their tanks? I have read it is just as good as daylight and does not disturb the fish or their night time habbits. What are the best lights to buy for this? I checked some out in the drsfostersmith catalog but was wondering if there was any other sources to buy them?
I plan to keep these on a timer and use just at night but have never used them so any suggestions or comments would be helpful.

Thanks, Paul

aardvark1
10-27-2006, 12:28 PM
Paul-

I use the cold cathode tubes that computer customisers fit into their computer cases for my night lights. 12 inch tubes, running on 12 volts. Got 'em on ebay, think it was $15 for the two setups.

Don't seem to bother my fishies any; at least they aren't wearing shades at night...

:dance:

mostlycichlids
10-27-2006, 12:48 PM
Paul-

I use the cold cathode tubes that computer customisers fit into their computer cases for my night lights. 12 inch tubes, running on 12 volts. Got 'em on ebay, think it was $15 for the two setups.

Don't seem to bother my fishies any; at least they aren't wearing shades at night...

:dance:
wow sweet man I did a search on these and seen you can get them in different colors as well. They are a lot cheaper than any other "moon light" I have seen. what do you use for a power source?

mostlycichlids
10-27-2006, 1:26 PM
nevermind I found a great DIY Fourm on cichlid-forum.com with step by step instructions and pictures. It looks like I will be going this route Thanks for the help aardvark you saved me a lot of money.

aardvark1
10-27-2006, 3:08 PM
Paul-

To answer you anyway, I had a couple of "Bricks" laying around from old cell phones, etc.

Cut off the plug, soldered the wires (will only work one way as for the polarity-if it don't work, reverse).

Got mine on timers; they come on 5 minutes after the main lights go out and go off right before they come on again. Don't hurt to have them burn 24/7 though-very little heat and current draw.

mostlycichlids
10-27-2006, 4:18 PM
Thanks for answering here is the article if you are interested the finished look is very professional and very easy. Thanks again.

http://cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_moonlight.php

aardvark1
10-27-2006, 6:41 PM
Saw that article-that's what made me go for the cold cathode tubes. Had blue LED's but they were too "Spotlight"; got several beams. With the CC tubes, whole tank is evenly lit (as in the pic in the article).

Work for me!