Lighting

[wattsd]

I have been looking for a lighting system that is a little more like a natural setting. Does anyone here use timers that gradually dim the light rather than snapping it right off? I currently turn the aquarium light off, and then gradually turn the room light down over an hours time. If anyone knows where to get a timer online that dims the light rather than abruptly shutting it off could you please send a link before I go crazy with my current system!!

~Thanks

 

[matter1331]

I don't know of any timer that would dim the lights, however I use a moonlight on my tank. I have the moonlight come on about an hour before the main lights turn off and when they go off, it's already on. It also gives the tank a pretty cool look at night. Also, if you have two sets of lights you could stage them, one before the other.

 

[wayne]

This can be done with electronic ballasts, but not magnetic ballasts that come with most aquarium fixtures. I've seen halides do this, but at a steep cost ...(1000 dollars plus)

 

[mogurnda]

I just use two sets of lights, and stagger them to be a little more gradual than a single light. In one tank, a 13 watt pc comes on before the 55 watt, and in the other I have 108 watts of actinic T5 come on before the 500 W halides. Not exactly what you're looking for, but less hassle than messing with the room lights.

 

[pufferfish]

guy told me to have the two lights on separate timers. Blue actinic comes on first in the morning, then 1 hour later the white light... then when comes time to turn off, white light goes first.. then 1 hour later blue light shuts off.