DIY Moonlighting

[cap'n pete]

Here's my new moonlighting. Cost me under $7.00! It's an auto accessory I found at Walgreens. Called "Mood Lighting" by Custom Accessories, Inc., plugs into 12V DC. They also had little spotlight types. Both are blue LED and very bright at 12V, I have them on 9V (spare adapter I had laying around the house). All I have to do now is waterproof with plenty of silicone and plug them into a timer. If I hadn't had the adapter, Radio Shack has them for about $12.99, making the whole system under $20.

 

[cap'n pete]

Another view. They are about 1/2" by 2" each.

 

[cap'n pete]

Here's the link for Walgreen's Online.
Mood Lights
Beam Lights
Lighted Dolphins?!
What they are supposed to be used for:

 

[cap'n pete]

The adapter type needed:
12V AC to DC adapter
or if you wanted to control how bright (redneck... aka Chrisfish dimmer):
Variable AC to DC adapter

 

[pirate_bob]

could you post a picture with them on in your tank? I would like to see what they look like..

 

[cap'n pete]

Right now they are very dim and I don't know if I can get a good pic. I think I will put them on a 12V adapter and see if I like them brighter. Right now they look very realistic and cast a nice blueish white light. I'll attempt to get a good picture. I have a 12V laying around but don't think my wife will be to thrilled with me choping up her halloween decoration for my fish tank. Looks like I'll have to stop at Radio Shack tomorrow.

 

[pirate_bob]

Thankyou,
Please post when you do.
Also if no one told you the chris guy has been removed
Please do not take his words seriouslly

 

[cap'n pete]

Thanks Pirate Bob,
No, I just took his comment as a poor attempt at sarcasm. After coming home at 6:00 am and having the house completely dark, I'm not sure I'm going to kick it up to 12V. The effect was a little different than I expected but very nice. I would say that it appeared like a full moon. Going any brighter might be annoying to the fish. I'm sure I'll go ahead and experiment, but will probably stick with the 9V. Sorry, no pics.. My digi picked up nothing but black. Maybe Ryebread has some nocturnal camera he could use.

 

[cap'n pete]

Okay, without an actual photo, this is the best I can do.
Step 1:
Right click on the attached photo and "Save Picture As" onto your computer. Open the picture up in a full window. Shut off all the lights (room must be dark). Turn monitor Contrast all the way up (icon looks like a circle with a verticle line). Then adjust brightness (looks like sun) until three triangles are barely visible.
Step 2:
Look at this link in darkness. This as close as I can get to explaining what this looks like. It might be a tad on the dark side but it's pretty close.
Moonlighting Effect

 

[pirate_bob]

Yea I wouldn't go w/ the 12v. The 9v. looks pretty realistic..
JMO
Nice Job

 

[cap'n pete]

Thanks Bob.
I was the first to sign your guest book. Good job, I love firefish.

 

[demosthenes]

Thanks for the great idea Cap'n Pete. I'm going to set the same system up in a couple of weeks.
PS Pirate Bob, I do the same thing with my sump as you do. I thought I was the only one. A couple of weeks ago I pulled the Bio-Balls and placed a bunch of Dry Rock in their. I also added a DSB, and made it into a sump-fugium w/ skimmer. I guess great minds do think alike.

 

[pirate_bob]

LOL thanx