Lunar Lighting

[surjer]

Hello All,

I have a 20gallon tank I am slowly setting up. Right now I have just a standard hood/florecent light. I really want that "Lunar" night light on my tank. I saw a setup at the lfs that had 2 small florecent lights in and and towards the back had 2 blue LED's and they said thats for the lunar lighting. It was about 170 bucks for the whole light fixture and I am not ready to spend that on lights. Maybe after this tank is a few months old and I start to think about corals but not right now lol... Its costing enough just getting it started a little at a time haha...

LR/LS/Test Kit/Salt/Hydrometer/PH/etc...

Is there an easy way to make a "Lunar" light system that will work with my hood/florecent system? On Another note - When I do want to make the step forward and I want some corals and what not do I really need almost 200 bucks in light on a 20gallon tank? I mean, if its necesary than so be it.. Just curious is all...

 

[roka64]

Here are some Lunar Lights http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/NavResults.cfm?N=2004+113544.
As for lighting, start saving. Of course that all depends on what corals you want to keep.

 

[surjer]

Do you think this thing is worth a shot?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12110&N=2004+113544

 

[roka64]

It looks nice, but states "for aquariums up to 24 inches in length" and "Dual mounting options - universal base with suction cup or track mount on Coralife Aqualight series light fixtures." so if you have a coralife fixture aqualight, you can put then in/on it.

 

[surjer]

Hmm - I just might order it. I am gonna be sad if it doesnt light up my tank very well...

 

[severum mama]

Of course, this is JMO, but I don't think you should order the 1 watt moonlight. I use the Coralife 3/4 watt moonlights on my discus tank, and just as the manufacturer recommends, I placed the lights every 2 feet (2 lights on a 55 gallon). I was shocked at how bright they were! They really are MUCH brighter than the lunar lights that are built in to strip lights. Plus, a 20 high is a lot shorter than a 55 gallon, so the light would penetrate that much more. The track mount is pretty cool too- I use mine with the Coralife Aqualight.

I'll see if I can track down a link for you, as I ordered mine through work instead of an online retailer. 8)

 

[severum mama]

I can't find any links for the lunar lights I have. If it were my tank, I'd go with this:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12109&N=2004+113544
That's a good price IMO. The product info says that the moonlights built into the strip are 3/4 watt, and I'm assuming that the wattage of the strip would be 2x65W- plenty of light for a lot of species of corals.

My standard of comparison for my moonlights vs. the built-in ones (when I said that they weren't very bright) was a Current USA fixture, not the Coralife.

 

[Sadielynn]

I have some lights that are avail for sale I have had them on my 10 , 7gmb and 2.5 gallon they all did well on those . I can say for a brighter light add an addtional light system to them . PM me as I would combine shipping and handling moons

 

[Lance M.]

For my 20 gallon I bought the Coralife Aqualight 24'' 130 watt fixture that has two 3/4 watt lunar lights in it and they are pretty bright, they would be fine with just one of them. I got this for $119 and I keep corals.

 

[surjer]

Is there a space between the top of your tank and the lights? I really like having the HOOD on it so you cant see the top of the water. I couldnt tell if that fixture setup on LEGS or on my existing hood. I really dont want there to be a gap between the lights and the tank..

Any thoughts?

 

[roka64]

Using a hood and cause pH problems as well as heat. I used to have a hood but like the look of the lights over the tank. I have some pics in my gallery. Now I have water all the way up to the rim.

 

[surjer]

With the hood I have the back 2" open where all the filters and everything are running. Is that not enough space for proper gas exchange?

 

[roka64]

It wasn't on my tank, I always had a pretty low pH. I tried using a buffer but couldn't keep it vary stable.

 

[Sadielynn]

With the hood I have the back 2" open where all the filters and everything are running. Is that not enough space for proper gas exchange?

It may not be sufficent alone , why not add a couple fans in oposite directon for flow in and out that should be enough air flow for you

 

[surjer]

Hmm - I dont have a problem with pH right now with the hood on it. Are the higher powered lights all raised up like that?

 

[severum mama]

No, you generally buy a set of adjustable mounting legs, at least if it is a Coralife fixture. They come in black and clear, and they attach to a track mount on the fixture. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1
This is what I use for my discus tank. I like the look of having the light up off of the tank. And BTW, my pico is having some pH issues (presumably from the hood), and I have an opening in the back and always leave the feeding lid open. I agree with the others that you may run into some issues there.