moonlights for a FW tank

[irene]

I am in need of some moonlights, so I can spend my evenings peering into my tank, watching my nocturnal shrimps go about their business. 

I'm looking for some recommendations that are not too expensive.

I was thinking of this:

http://www.petsandponds.com/en/aquarium-supplies/c5813/c231289/p17143890.html

Does anyone know if that would throw enough light to see in a 20g long tank?  Would it disrupt their day/night cycle?

I was also hoping one of the LFS might carry something suitable.  So I can start watching sooner rather than later.

Thanks!

Irene

[Darth]

I used those marina led lights I had them on my nano reef, the suction cup so that can be a pain sometimes, I got the lights and hub at petsmart I am sure some lfs should still carry them

[Malyon18]

Hey Irene check these out

http://www.goreef.com/Current-USA-Lunar-LINK-Moonlight-LED-Add-on-Noctural-Blue.html

they may do the trick

[rush]

http://www.goreef.com/Moonlight-LED-Category/

go here and check out what they have

[rush]

Hey Irene check these out

http://www.goreef.com/Current-USA-Lunar-LINK-Moonlight-LED-Add-on-Noctural-Blue.html

they may do the trick

haha you must have posted this seconds before me

wierd...

[Saltcreep]

Although I sense a general reluctance around here to think 'outside the glass box', especially when it comes to lighting, I think your application is another one where there is no need to pay specialty prices for specialty products. I have used flexible LED light strips with great success on quite a few tanks. The attached picture is of white ones that hang over my feeder tank, but they're also available in blue and other colours. Those are 2, 12" strips with, I think 18 mini-LEDs in each strip, so mounted end to end, they would cover a 30" tank perfectly. That setup costs about $28, but you can get them in many sizes, down to about 4". You would also need a 12VDC adapter. If you find them too bright, you could tone it down to 9VDC and they should still work fine. Any old adapter you have lying around would work, as long as it supplies DC voltage. These came from the automotive dress-up section at Wal*Mart. The brand is Flex LED. They also carry another brand, but the LEDs are configured slightly differently and don't point straight down, they come off the edge of the strip and don't seem to have the same output.

[irene]

Great!  Thanks for the responses.  Saltcreep- I will definitely check out the walmart.  So the blue ones aren't disruptive to their day/night cycle, right?

[Saltcreep]

Great!  Thanks for the responses.  Saltcreep- I will definitely check out the walmart.  So the blue ones aren't disruptive to their day/night cycle, right?

I reallly don't know if they would be disruptive or not. Trial and error, I guess. I think most LEDs sold as moon lights are blue, so I can't see why these would be any different. If you try them, and find your favourite fish 'flipping you the fin', maybe he's trying to tell you something.

[dan2x38]

I would disagree with blue lights. Blue penetrates more than any other colour and is found in day light. You said they are nocturnal so I believe their photo cycle - life cycle would be messed up. I would lean towards red lights they are used in reptile tanks to few nocturnal animals and not disturb their photo cycle. Then you have your very own red light district... LOL

[magnosis]

Then you have your very own red light district... LOL

Ahahaaha making total sense in that context

[Brine]

I use a few strings of Red LED Christmas lights on my 125G. Super cheap and they work fine.

[Stussi613]

That setup costs about $28, but you can get them in many sizes, down to about 4". You would also need a 12VDC adapter.

$28 for the lights and the adapter?

[Saltcreep]

$28 for the lights and the adapter?

No, the $28 gets you the two 12" strips. They're meant to be hardwired, so they don't come with the adapter. Extremely low draw though, so any cheap adapter would work.

[charlie]

$28 for the lights and the adapter?

Princessauto at times have these LED auto strips & a selection of transformer available at bargain prices.

[Saltcreep]

Princessauto at times have these LED auto strips & a selection of transformer available at bargain prices.

Definitely a good option for inexpensive adapters. In the case of the two strips, a 24VDC would work too with the strips wired in series. The trouble with Princess Auto is you never know what they have until you make the drive out there. I wish they'd put one in the west end.