Night Time Lighting

[iechy]

Looking for opinions/experience on what type of light I could put on the tank tho watch all the night critters. When I do put one can it be on a timer opposite the regular lighting so tha --- is always on when they are not or should it be totally black sometime? Would having some nitelite on in the tank stress everything out eventually or would it just be like moonlight?

 

[tang_man_montreal]

I'm quite interested in this as well..
I feel like I'm stressing my fish out when I shine the flashlight looking for critters... and my missing peppermint shrimps that I havn't seen for a week since I added them, lol.

 

[buzz]

I have a Moonbeam light I picked up from North Coast Marines.
http://www.northcoastmarines.com/moonbeams.htm
I love it, and so do the inhabitants of my tank...1 tomato clown, 1 emerald crab, 1 scarlet hermit, 4 snails, at least 5 mini brittle stars (came with live rock), and whatever else I may not have discovered yet...
I have mine on a timer as well. It comes on for a few hours once the main light goes off.

 

[buzz]

Forgot to also mention that I do have all lights out for the majority of the night. I only have the moonbeam light on for a few hours, and then it's lights out all together.

 

[keisersosei]

Use a flashlight with a red lens to look at nocturnal creatures. They can't see red light. This makes the idea of installing a red light for nighttime viewing seem like a good idea. That's just what algae wants you to think. Red light promotes algae growth, so shine a red flashlight but don't install a red light that will be left on for extended periods of time.

 

[buzz]

The Moonbeam light is blue. If all you want to do is spotlight some creatures for a few minutes the flashlight may be the way to go. But for long term, I know my arm would get tired holding it there...heh heh.
I like the Moonbeam because it is unobtrusive and nice to look at aesthetically. It is compact, and can attach via suction cup right to the tank. I shine mine up through the glass, so it reflects down through the surface off the main light reflectors. It gives that nice shimmering effect. And, like I said earlier, the life in the tank seems to like it.
But that's just me...it is also just a slight bit more expensive than the flashlight route...definitely something to consider, but worth it to me!

 

[richard rendos]

I installed a regular incandescent light socket in my canopy. I put a 25 watt blue party bulb from walmart. It is on opposite my regular lights and stays on all night.

 

[glazer]

Ever see the Indiglo watches made by Timex? There are nite lights that use that same technology.. can get a two-pack of them at Walgreens for like 3 bucks. I plugged one in and laid it flat on my glass, looks awesome, puts this bluey-slight tint of green soft glow in the tank.
If you are really anal like me.... then what you do is use a saw or dremel to cut off the prongs (the plug in part), solder the wires of an extension cord to the nubs, coat with epoxy and permanently attach to canopy or leave on glass...lol
BTW, they are wafer thin and are barely warm to the touch after being on all nite.

 

[javatech]

im going to try some rope light's they are made to go outside so they are waterproof and cheap i got six feet of them to go around the top inside of my cover set on a timer to come on before the main lights and go off after they come on and then come on befor the mains go out at night and the turn off 1 hr later and they were only $7.00

 

[plum70rt]

Hey Moonbeam Guys , I like to order them, is there a difference in the colors? I see blue and white are available, does anyone have these? ,

 

[j21kickster]

Have one and love it. for nightime viewing use blue it is awsome

 

[iechy]

Thanks for the comment everyone. i think I'll go with the moonbeam although I might give the indiglo thing a shot first