Aquarium Moonlighting

falcooo · 09-09-2011, 10:41 AM

I have seen some very nice tanks with a moonlighting effect for when the main lights are turned off. I realize the moonlighting is nothing more than blue LED lights, however I am curious if anyone on here has attempted a DIY version of this moonlit look, or is there a good product anyone could recommend to achieve this? Thanks for your ideas/insights.

Mrs.JayMay23 · 09-09-2011, 10:56 AM

Are you talking about the T5 lighting look?

majerah1 · 09-09-2011, 10:57 AM

I have a small strip for my 29 gallon.I ordered it off of Ebay a few years back.Seems a simple design if you know what you are doing.

falcooo · 09-09-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs.JayMay23

Are you talking about the T5 lighting look?

I do not believe so, heres a link to a tank a saw online that i want to somewhat model my tank after.....

Fish Tank of March '11 at The Age of Aquariums - Tropical Fish

....you see the blue moonlight im talking about?

Mrs.JayMay23 · 09-09-2011, 11:29 AM

Wow! That is VERY pretty.

I have the actinic lights in mine and it looks similar to that but the picture of the one you posted looks much more suttle.

Check out my tank pic so you see what I mean:

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3B34%3Anu0mrj

Gizmo · 09-09-2011, 11:31 AM

I did some research on LED lighting. LED : LEDs : LED Drivers : Cree LEDs : Luxeon LEDs : LUXdrive : LEDSupply sells some awesome LED stuff. CREE is a great LED manufacturer, and that site is kind of an all-in-one shopping place for some good lighting. You could build a strip of 10 or so 1-3Watt blue LEDs for around $100 or less.

James0816 · 09-09-2011, 12:38 PM

I have a fixture that was modified to include actinic bulbs. If you want a very nice effect....take a piece of aluminum foil and poke holes in it. Place this under your actinic light. There's your moon light. ;o)

Mrs.JayMay23 · 09-09-2011, 12:51 PM

That sounds really cool James.

PapaM · 09-10-2011, 12:26 AM

Here's my DYI. I took a bubble wand that had blue leds, turned it upside down, and placed it at the back of the tank. The picture doesn't really do the look justice. A lot more of the tank is seen.

scubasamdo · 09-10-2011, 02:59 AM

If you have DIY skills build one using the rapidled kit with either 2-4 moonlights ($14 or $18 +shipping). You will have to wire it but it is easy. you can retroffit lots of different light fixtures if you use the thermal epoxy or other easy attachment device. Heat is not a big issue with the moonlights. My 29 g has 2 moonlights. Nice shimmer, good amount of light, 1 light would have worked also but 2 looks better. I put together a 14 LED light strip for the daytime lights with a dimmer, then added the moonlights for added effect.

scubasamdo · 09-10-2011, 04:08 AM

quick pict of the lights.

09-09-2011, 10:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
falcooo Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 32 Location: South Jersey Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2 Times Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Aquarium Moonlighting I have seen some very nice tanks with a moonlighting effect for when the main lights are turned off. I realize the moonlighting is nothing more than blue LED lights, however I am curious if anyone on here has attempted a DIY version of this moonlit look, or is there a good product anyone could recommend to achieve this? Thanks for your ideas/insights.

09-09-2011, 10:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mrs.JayMay23 Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 57 Name: Mrs.JayMay Location: Petaluma, CA My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 15 Times Said "Thanks" 8 Times Was Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Aquarium Moonlighting Are you talking about the T5 lighting look? __________________ www.howtocareforfish.com

09-09-2011, 10:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
majerah1 Wild betta tamer majerah1's Photo Gallery Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 4,294 Name: Beverly D Fincannon Location: Easley,SC My location Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,732 Times Said "Thanks" 547 Times Was Thanked 1,126 Times in 1,011 Posts	Re: Aquarium Moonlighting I have a small strip for my 29 gallon.I ordered it off of Ebay a few years back.Seems a simple design if you know what you are doing. __________________ http://bountifulbettas.blogspot.com/ "Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"

09-09-2011, 11:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mrs.JayMay23 Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 57 Name: Mrs.JayMay Location: Petaluma, CA My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 15 Times Said "Thanks" 8 Times Was Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Aquarium Moonlighting Wow! That is VERY pretty. I have the actinic lights in mine and it looks similar to that but the picture of the one you posted looks much more suttle. Check out my tank pic so you see what I mean: http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3B34%3Anu0mrj __________________ www.howtocareforfish.com

09-09-2011, 11:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
Gizmo What do fish think about? Gizmo's Photo Gallery Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,350 Name: Guy Miller Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 183 Times Said "Thanks" 451 Times Was Thanked 603 Times in 573 Posts	Re: Aquarium Moonlighting I did some research on LED lighting. LED : LEDs : LED Drivers : Cree LEDs : Luxeon LEDs : LUXdrive : LEDSupply sells some awesome LED stuff. CREE is a great LED manufacturer, and that site is kind of an all-in-one shopping place for some good lighting. You could build a strip of 10 or so 1-3Watt blue LEDs for around $100 or less. __________________ Officially fishless until after the move....tune in later for details!

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09-09-2011, 12:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
James0816 James0816's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2,455 Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 34 Times Was Thanked 526 Times in 454 Posts	Re: Aquarium Moonlighting I have a fixture that was modified to include actinic bulbs. If you want a very nice effect....take a piece of aluminum foil and poke holes in it. Place this under your actinic light. There's your moon light. ;o)

09-09-2011, 12:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mrs.JayMay23 Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 57 Name: Mrs.JayMay Location: Petaluma, CA My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 15 Times Said "Thanks" 8 Times Was Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Aquarium Moonlighting That sounds really cool James. __________________ www.howtocareforfish.com

09-10-2011, 12:26 AM	#9 (permalink)
PapaM PapaM's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 122 Name: Casey Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 8 Times Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Aquarium Moonlighting Here's my DYI. I took a bubble wand that had blue leds, turned it upside down, and placed it at the back of the tank. The picture doesn't really do the look justice. A lot more of the tank is seen.

09-10-2011, 02:59 AM	#10 (permalink)
scubasamdo scubasamdo's Photo Gallery Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 5 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Aquarium Moonlighting If you have DIY skills build one using the rapidled kit with either 2-4 moonlights ($14 or $18 +shipping). You will have to wire it but it is easy. you can retroffit lots of different light fixtures if you use the thermal epoxy or other easy attachment device. Heat is not a big issue with the moonlights. My 29 g has 2 moonlights. Nice shimmer, good amount of light, 1 light would have worked also but 2 looks better. I put together a 14 LED light strip for the daytime lights with a dimmer, then added the moonlights for added effect.

09-10-2011, 04:08 AM	#11 (permalink)
scubasamdo scubasamdo's Photo Gallery Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 5 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Aquarium Moonlighting quick pict of the lights.

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