non led moonlight
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5030
Printed Date: July 21 2026 at 3:48pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: non led moonlight
Posted By: ewaldsreef
Subject: non led moonlight
Date Posted: January 16 2005 at 7:13pm
|
Ok so I went to Lowes and bought 2 blue 25w incandescent bulbs(2.50each), 2 sockets(2.50each), and one lamp cord(4.00)Total=14.00
I mounted the bulbs in my canopy and in just a few minutes there was one of the best moon lights I have ever seen. No messing with Leds and 12v converters. Plus now my neptune can dim the lights to run a lunar cycle 
even without the neptune I am happy with the incandescent bulbs. cheap easy and a good light. As far as I know a moon light only has to serve one purpose. Pleasing the hobbiest. Unlike day bulbs I havent been convinced that the spectrum makes any differance. ------------- Contact me for professional aquarium maintenance and localy grown coral frags. [URL=http://www.aquatitranquility.com][/URL] |
Replies:
Posted By: kethomps
Date Posted: January 16 2005 at 7:29pm
|
The neptune does have you thinking doesn't it!!! How does it dim the lights? Did you have to get a special x10 module to do this? ------------- 210g sw fish West Jordan |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: January 16 2005 at 7:32pm
|
Bruce- Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: January 16 2005 at 7:50pm
|
Bruce, at one point in time I was going to do the same thing but I just got lazy and bought one off e-bay, Did you buy the sockets that were rubber coated?(that's what I was told to do so they wouldn't corrode in time). Anyway, cant wait to see them. ------------- 335G Reef TOTM. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012 http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month & |
Posted By: ewaldsreef
Date Posted: January 16 2005 at 11:14pm
|
Brad, hope to have you over soon.
Kelly, It does require a speical x-10 know as a lamp module. No more expensive than any of the others. ------------- Contact me for professional aquarium maintenance and localy grown coral frags. [URL=http://www.aquatitranquility.com][/URL] |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: January 16 2005 at 11:20pm
|
I just used a flat panel night light or two plugged into an extension cord. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
|
Posted By: Skyetone
Date Posted: January 17 2005 at 7:00pm
|
I used an old 10 gallon hood with two bulbs. Trashed out the hood and used the sockets. Bought two bulbs from the LFS and did the same thing. Just stapled the cord to the hood. I need to do it again in my 120. worked good in my 80. ------------- I will just give my warning that your system will flood, bulbs will burn out, and things will take continuous maintenance... get over it. Magna |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: January 17 2005 at 10:39pm
|
Anyone ever used those blue rope lights that they sell at Christmas time? Wouldn't they work?
|
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: January 18 2005 at 8:37am
|
Amie- Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: January 18 2005 at 9:36am
|
Modern Display in Salt Lake (the corner of 7th E. and 4th S.) will cut rope lights to whatever length you want.
|
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: January 18 2005 at 10:15am
Hey, I've got an idea. Put your tank in the window and let the real moonlight do it's luvy-duvy magic.  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: January 25 2006 at 8:51pm
|
Bruce, do you have the moonlights on a dimmer or is 50 total watts about right for late night viewing? -------------  |
Posted By: Suzy
Date Posted: January 25 2006 at 9:09pm
|
I tried the rope light. It really doesn't put out light toward the tank. I
could even see it! I'm going to put it under the cabinet on Robs bar! |
Posted By: ewaldsreef
Date Posted: January 25 2006 at 9:12pm
|
Mike, They are on a dimmer module. It is an x-10 module that the x-10 controls. Some nights the lights are brighter than others this is to simulate a lunar cycle. IMO when both are at full power it is a little brighter then I would like for everynight so if you were going to go with a simmiler setup but minus the neptune I would buy a dimmer to go with it. ------------- Contact me for professional aquarium maintenance and localy grown coral frags. [URL=http://www.aquatitranquility.com][/URL] |
Posted By: ltanner
Date Posted: January 25 2006 at 10:32pm
Around Christmastime you can find LED string lights in all sorts of colors (including blue), made for indoor/outdoor use. At Target they had strings of 35 & 70. You could easily pull the bulbs you didn't want to light up, string as much as you want inside the hood and voila! Instant moonlight. I actually bought a string, but it was way too much for my nano and I never see my school tank at night, so it's packed away until I set up my next tank. They look like this: And they cost me around $10, as I recall. ------------- Laura Orem 29 gal reef |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: January 25 2006 at 11:07pm
|
Thanks to all. Bruce, I do have a neptune with the DC8 controller that does the moon cycle on outlet 8. I was just thinking of just having the moon light more as a night light so I can see the tank after "lights off" I guess I will look for lower wattage bulbs or use a dimmer switch. Sorry I missed the open house tonight; I'm in Green River Wyoming ------------- |
