Night Vision

[coralwolf]

Does anyone have a good method of viewing their tanks in the dark aside from night-vision glasses.

 

[stacyt]

You can use a flashlight with a red lens.

 

[dreeves]

You should be able to use a flashlight with a medium to dark blue lens as well. This would better simulate a moon glow through the water then a red light. The only benefit that I am aware of to using a red lens is the red doesnt effect our night vision...but then, if you havent acclimated your eyes to the dark prior to looking at the tank...then that isnt a concern. It usually takes our eyes about 30 minutes to fully develope the visual purple which allows us to see in the dark.

 

[drakken]

I have the Custom Sealfe Moonlite on my 28 gal nano. It's great for seeing the strange creatures that come out at night!

 

[krishj39]

I have a DIY moonlight over my tank. It is a blue rope light that I've attached to the top of my canopy. The results are every bit as effective as the "official" moonlights, and it cost me only 6$, instead of around $100. Essentially, all of these put a dim blue light into your tank during the night, allowing you to see your animals, but not enough light to disturb them. Another solution some have done is placing a clip on desk lamp on the back of the tank and putting in a little blue bulb, or putting a blue (or red) film over the front so it isn't as bright. Anyway, this has been talked about before. If you do a search for a thread called, "anyone know about a moonlight?" you'll see my more detailed explanation of the rope lights, including pictures.

 

[coralwolf]

Do you guys leave these "moon lights" an all night?
Thanks for the replies by the way

 

[krishj39]

Yes, I do. It is actually on 24/7, but that's just because I don't have the space for another timer in my strip outlets. If the rope light was on a timer, they would turn on just before my main lights turned off, and then the ropes would turn off just after my main lights turn on. Of course, you could also figure you aren't ever going to do any viewing after, say 3am, and set it to be on just till then, and leave the tank in total darkness from 3 until the lights come on in the morning.

 

[coralwolf]

krishj39,
This rope light, where did you get it can I find it at a Home Depot or any other hardware store?

 

[drakken]

I leave mine on 24/7 also. BTW, my Custom Sealife Moonlite was $23 at my LFS.
If you want a really cheap moonlight then get a $2.50 Nite Glo nightlight at any home improvement or hardware store. I used one before I got the Moonlite.

 

[krishj39]

You can get it just about anywhere. I've seen them at Target, Home Depot, Walmart, Lowes, just to name a few.

 

[coralwolf]

Thanks for the info from everyone.
I can't wait to try this stuff out I know I have some creatures that I haven't seen yet. When I use a normal flash light everything scatters to fast for me to get a good look.
Thanks again.

 

[sohalwutang499]

does anyone know if you can buy blue lcd lights? Isnt that what the "real" moonlights are made out of?

 

[drakken]

Originally posted by sohalwutang499
does anyone know if you can buy blue lcd lights? Isnt that what the "real" moonlights are made out of?
Radio Shack.

 

[dreeves]

I believe they are LED's not LCD...

 

[sohalwutang499]

I meant led and thanks for the advice

 

[escape2thewater]

I use a blue rope light also - good stuff, left over from last years christmass lights!
Kyle