Using a 24hr lighting system (ie. Custom Sealife Power Compacts)?

[Silent xXx Rage]

I just bought the 48" Custom Sealife Power Compacts with (4) Moonlites for my 55 gallon freshwater aquarium.

The tank has four 6inch subunkin goldfish, one 14inch algae eating catfish, two 1.5inch betta, one 5inch spotted loach and one 2inch paradise fish. All which i have had for about 3yrs now.

The lighting system has two 65watt 10,000k Premium-Daylight 4pin bulbs, two 65watt ultra-actinic 4pin bulbs and four 1watt moonlites.

The local aquarium dealer told me this is a 24hr lighting system. It simulates four lighting conditions.

During dusk and dawn you use the ultra-actinics. During morning and evening you just use the 10,000k premium-daylights. During mid-day (noon) you use both the ultra-actinics and 10,000k premium-daylights together. Lastly, at night time you use the four moon-lites.

It seems pretty logical. I mean it mirrors the lighting conditions i have seen in the ocean over the years in scuba diving.

BUT!

1. Is it healthy for fish to have constant light source 24hrs a day?
2. Should there be a time when the tank is completely dark?
3. Any other advice with this lighting system?

So far the fish have adapted to the new lighting system. They like the moonlites the best and hate the mid-day light setting (using both the ultra-actinics and 10,000k premium-daylights at the same time).

 

[OrionGirl]

I like providing some dark time for my tanks, but as long as the lighting isn't too bright, and isn't contributing to other problems, there is no harm in running them all the time. I wouldn't--but mostly because it would light my house up too much. What I would do is set up the lights on timers to they are all off around 9 or 10 at night--whenever you go to bed, basically. Then, spread it out so there's some light for dawn and dusk, then the full day light effect. If you have plants, make sure there is enough light for them to photosynthesize effectively. If you don't have plants, IMO, this light setup is way, way more than the tank needs or will benefit from.

The fish should get used to the brighter lights, but keep in mind that many small fish are prey, so naturally hide during the brightest times of the day.

 

[125gJoe]

I'm sorry to hear your local aquarium dealer didn't care about you and sold you the "wrong lights"!! I was almost duped by a LFS here when I got my Custom SeaLife 72 inch Compact Flourescents with MoonLites (super bright LED's). I told him I have a freshwater tank and the Actinics and 10,000K's don't look good in freshwater. He knew what I meant and put the proper lights in the fixture, and put the 'saltwater lights' he was trying to push on me back on the shelf.

10,000K and Actinincs don't go with freshwater aquariums. They work great on saltwater set-ups. The lights he/she sold you will give your tank a washed out look. 10,000K's are way too bright/white for freshwater. Get 6500K's or 6700K's. Trust me big time on this!!

Your local dealer had better take those lights back and give you the proper lights! He/She at least should sell the proper equipment for the situation of the customer!!
I hope your aquarium dealer is not too proud to refuse to accept the mistake made by selling you the wrong lights!!

The built-in LED's produce a real nice full moon look when the main lights are off!!!

 

[Silent xXx Rage]

Originally posted by OrionGirl
I like providing some dark time for my tanks,

My understanding, and the whole sales pitch about these moon-lites, are that total darkness causes excess stress among fish that arent nocturnal. Of course it mentions coral and fish spawn easier with these 24hr lighting systems.

But, im wondering how this affects goldfish. I mean goldfish are known to change their color to completely white if kept in darkness for excessive periods of time.

So how will color be affecting if i keep them in low to normal lighting conditions 24hrs a day (ie the 24hr lighting cycle this system provides).

 

[Silent xXx Rage]

Originally posted by 125gJoe
I'm sorry to hear your local aquarium dealer didn't care about you and sold you the "wrong lights"!!

10,000K and Actinincs don't go with freshwater aquariums. They work great on saltwater set-ups. The lights he/she sold you will give your tank a washed out look. 10,000K's are way too bright/white for freshwater.

Yeah, your right and on top of this i ended up paying more for these lights then i could from an online store. $330!

But, its been a few weeks now and i actually love them. Sure the lights are brighter than my original strip lights. But, the colors of the fish have intensified. It really livens up the living room. I mean at night time the fish tank light is the light for the room

But, part of why i am not experiencing a washed out look is because i spray painted the back and sides of my tank with this dark blue enamal.

So when i use the actinic light it brightens up the background paint color which also brings out of the fish colors of the goldfish and algae eater.

Though i will agree it does wash out the colors of the bettas and paradise fish which looked fantastic with my old stripe light.

So i think i am going to need to relocate them to another tank.

 

[OrionGirl]

Originally posted by Silent xXx Rage


My understanding, and the whole sales pitch about these moon-lites, are that total darkness causes excess stress among fish that arent nocturnal. Of course it mentions coral and fish spawn easier with these 24hr lighting systems.

Yep, that's a sales pitch all right. Fish breeders through out the world should realize the error of their tried and true efforts.

Sorry for the sarcasm, but most fish we keep in our aquariums are not on the list of those following lunar cycles. For corals, yes, this is true, and for some SW fish. But for what you have in the this tank? Nope, won't make a bit of difference.

As for stress in total darkness? Heavens, that's anthropomorphism to the extreme. Fish don't 'think' they way humans do. If it's dark, they rest--or look for food if they are nocturnal. If it's moderately lit, diurnal fish swim around and feed, nocturnals hide. If it's terribly bright, they look for some shade to hide in. Stress in darkness? They don't have the cognitive skills required to process that complex of a reaction, IMO.

 

[tricksterpup]

I am with Orion Girl on this. Fish do not need a night light. Have you ever been in the water at night? It is very dark and I do mean dark. And if the light from a full moon lights up any water, it would only be for about 3 days a month if that. And remember to, that fish have no eyelids so the darkness helps with their sleep cycle.
How creatures also know about the lunar cycle is because of the tide effects on the water due to the lunar rotation around the earth. These lights are just to see you something that you will not need.
As for using pc lighting for your tanks? I use the lighting on all of my tanks and have no problems. I just do not think you really need the moon lights unless you have nocturnal fish you will enjoy watching late at night.


jim

 

[125gJoe]

I've noticed that Custom SeaLife's Moon Lites are not bright enough to cause problems. If there's any worry, they can be put on a timer. I highly recommend the new fixtures Custom SeaLife has "with" the MoonLites built it.

Back to actinics and 10,000K's .... When I had these, my live plants did not appear green. At least not much green at all, but looked more like a badly overexposed photo. I was thankful Custom SeaLife took my return of those bulbs.

Silent xXx Rage --- I'm glad your set-up is working for you!