power compact with the moonlighting

[crm13]

I was wondering if any of you that have power compacts with moonlighting think that the moonlight feature is worth the extra money. I know that it must look really cool, but have you noticed any positive reactions from your coral or fish. I had one guy from a local pet shop tell me that it would keep his tang up swimming all night, so he stopped using them. The reason I ask is that I was looking to purchase a new power compact, but I don't want to spend the extra money if it's not worth it.

 

[timg]

what type of pc fixture are you purchasing?? I have the orbit 48" w/ 4 65 watt bulbs. I like the moonlight fixture just for the pure looks. I am not a good source because these are the only lights I have ever had. If you plan on buying these as your only lights I would suggest the new 48" fixture orbit has. It has 4 96 watt bulbs. Just my .02

 

[reb]

I have the 48" with moonlites. Have had them about 8 months. Haven't seen much extra help with the corals, but what an awesome view at night. I run the moonlites about 4 hours.

 

[fishman9]

I have the coralife 24" PC with lunar lights. Like the other two not much difference, but you can see what goes on at night and even see some hitchhikers that you never noticed before. good luck!!

 

[billb]

I have the extra moonlight on mine. I doubt it makes any difference on anything. It is good for my 2:00am peek at the tank..I wouldn't bother paying extra for one though..if you decide down the road you want one, check out the DIY section, there are plenty of easy projects for cheap bucks...
b.

 

[billb]

BTW..
I never noticed it keeping up anything at night...all my fish have found spots to sleep in...the brittle star and the serpant star do roam at night, as well as the shrimp...but, that gives me something to see at 2:00am..
b.

 

[crm13]

Thanks for the responses. Yeah, the two units that I was looking at were actually the Orbit unit and the new Aqualight unit. I am kinda leaning towards the Aqualight because I have had good luck with those units in the past as I currently have one on my reef tank and one on my planted tank. Plus, I like the slimline look of the Aqualight. Now, you say that I shouldn't pay the extra bucks for the moonlight feature though? Are those lights just really bright led's? If so, I guess it wouldn't be too hard to mount a few of those in a light fixture. But, how would I power them? Just a low voltage dc converter? I guess I'm just not sure if they are standard high output led's. Thanks.

 

[viper_930]

I use the moonlites, but I have never not used them so I don't know if there are any differences. They look really good at night though. If you don't want to spend really all that much money for them with the hood, you can make your own. Just get an outlet transformer and some LEDs, put them together, and mount them to the hood. It'll only cost you a few more bucks.

 

[timg]

CRM,
the lfs I go to just got the aqualight and they run extremely hot. They have a CSL/ORBIT 60" and the 60" aqualight side by side and you can hardly keep your hand on the aqualight while you can place you hand on the CSL and it is almost cool to the touch. Since changing the light to an aqualight they have had to add a chiller to that particular tank. If you are having any sort of temp issues and don't want to add a chiller I would probably suggest a orbit. just my .02

 

[reb]

My CSL has never ran hot.

 

[billb]

some reading...
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/101081/diy-led-moonlights

 

[timg]

that is what I said
CSL = cool to touch
Aqualight = too hot to touch

 

[tenseman]

I think there is something wrong with theres. Fans not working maybe.
I have had one (260watt Aqualight) for over a year with my fresh setup.
Changed to salt and replaced all 4 bulbs to 65 watt 10K's. I have this closed up in a canopy and I have never had a heat issue.
I just added another 260watt retrofit and no change in the heat.
We keep our air cond set at 70 24/7 and my heater in the tanks runs alot. I see the little light on all the time (I have tank temp set to 77).
I can lay my hand on the lense cover on the Auqalight and its warm but not hot and the top of it is cool.
One difference might be is that I have mine on the legs and not laying on the glass. It stands about 2 inches above the glass. I just found it to much of a hassle to clean the glass lids (which I do about 2 or 3 times a week)with the light laying on top.

 

[fishman9]

my lights don't run hot either??? i too have the legs for mine, i think it gives it a better look and does keep the light cooler. I like the Aqualight set-up and the lights are nice and are useful if you have reef life that spawn at night. You don't have to run them all night just a few hours.

 

[timg]

They have the new 4*96 light w/ lunar lights. it has two fans that are drawing out, but they are small and run all the time. They have said that customers that have bought this same light have had the same experience with the new aqualights with the lunar lights?? I don't really know just sharing my observations. I have an orbit love it, but am going to tear it apart take out the guts and build a canopy using the PCs and 2MH's.

 

[skirrby]

my aqualights never get hot either.. just barley warm to the touch,, and they never overheated my tank,, its darn near 100 degres in the day here in fl, and my tank stays at 77-78 with the aqualights running... i dont see where they are causing me to need a chiller?