Jim B. and John...Moon Lighting

Neptune777 · #1 01/08/2008, 02:35 PM

Jim and John...here is a link to the moon system I am using:

http://www.fishbowl-innovations.com/

This is a cool system if anyone is looking for a lunar light set up. It will cycle through full to new moon in a month (auto dimming the LEDs and then back to full).

PS- Your snails will spawn like crazy

J. Montgomery · #2 01/08/2008, 03:06 PM

So you have one of these? Which setup do you have, and how many lights?

Neptune777 · #3 01/08/2008, 03:40 PM

I got mine about 2 yrs ago. It has 3 clusters of LEDs and the Moon controller. I see now they have a new crazy moon "computer"....I think it makes coffee now as well.

I really like it BTW. The LEDs are angled for a pretty wide light spread (no focus spots) and they are at natural lunar wavelengths as well I believe.

Coleman4i · #4 01/08/2008, 04:18 PM

THANK YOU!!

I've been looking for a good moon lighting system for a few months. How does this one mount? Clip on to the side of the tank or do I need to fabricate some sort of mount for it?

Charlie Davidson · #5 01/08/2008, 04:55 PM

Is power supply 12v 1200 MA? I am wondering if I can use and old moonlight power supply I have here..

Maybe pick up 2 lights and the controller..

rick s · #6 01/08/2008, 06:08 PM

I smell a group buy coming along. . .

Hopeful Reefer · #7 01/08/2008, 06:15 PM

Geesh...every time someone asks about moon lights I point these out...Noooooooww you guys wanna get them cause Dave pointed them out...I see how it is...

Seriously though...this is the only set of moon lights I've owned and personally the only one's I would recommend...I have the original moon cycle controller that Dave mentioned and it works great...and, you can chain up to 10 of these puppies together on one power supply...I actually have 2 on order now because the ones I have I messed up...

I love mine...I know Anthony has some on his tank(s) as well...they are the best one's I've seen on the market yet!!

Charlie Davidson · #8 01/08/2008, 07:11 PM

http://www.superbrightleds.com/mini_tubes.htm
For those DIY type.....

(ALM4 or 6 series)
Blue is 470nm ---- the UV is 405nm
But this, "fishbowl" moonlight controller has me Very interested...

JMBoehling · #9 01/08/2008, 09:03 PM

Dave,

Thanks.. I'll get some ordered soon

Thanks,

Jim

fightingobblers · #10 01/08/2008, 09:47 PM

I also use these moonlights and love them. I upgraded to their new controller and put the old lights on my mother-in-law's tank.

Had a problem with the new unit - clock wouldn't keep accurate time. They had no problem replacing the unit.

J. Montgomery · #11 01/08/2008, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hopeful Reefer
Noooooooww you guys wanna get them cause Dave pointed them out...

surfnvb7 · #12 01/08/2008, 11:55 PM

is there a moon light simulator out there that you can buy separate, and wire up to your own choice of moon lights?

i personally like the circular ones that have 3LEDs with the dimpled face plate to refract the light coming out. they are dirt cheap at like $3-$5 each. i've used them for several years and have been very happy using a variable voltage transformer. i plan to mount them on my current tank something like this, so i can change where they are aiming whenever i want.

Hopeful Reefer · #13 01/09/2008, 12:14 AM

I believe you can buy the moon cycle control from Fishbowlz seperate from the system...if not it does come with 1 tube...you could always cut the end off the moon tube and wire yours in there...this would provide for the up/down cycle of the moon through the controller while still using the type you like...

Is that a custom DIY holder or something bought somewhere?

surfnvb7 · #14 01/09/2008, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hopeful Reefer
I believe you can buy the moon cycle control from Fishbowlz seperate from the system...if not it does come with 1 tube...you could always cut the end off the moon tube and wire yours in there...this would provide for the up/down cycle of the moon through the controller while still using the type you like...

Is that a custom DIY holder or something bought somewhere?

its just some loc-line tubing that you can kinda fashion yourself, may take some gluing to get the light on and fasten the whole setup to something. the wires run right through the middle of the locline.

Charlie Davidson · #15 01/09/2008, 08:39 AM

Al, that 3 light LED is also on the website I posted.. I have one of them here. (from the VA Tech group)
I like the way, yours is mounted

( the 2-sided tape thing- $ucked) How long have you used your moonlights?
I was thinking of using the fishbowl controller- with my lights, But , I am somewhat afraid it may get damaged , by it not compatable somehow......

Even though they are $20 a light, they may be worth it, they look VERY well made....
I am thinking they are well worth it.. As Dave posted..
If I have to buy the controller-- its only $20 more for the extra light,,,

Hopeful Reefer · #16 01/09/2008, 02:31 PM

They are extremely well made. I only had a problem with mine because I screwed up the connected when I shut it in my canopy!

If it weren't for that, it would still be working...

As for the controller...it works like a charm...and, it also allows you to set it at 100% brightness (or another %) all the time instead of following the lunar cycles...so, if you don't want the cycles for some reason you can still use the lights...

They do look great in the water at night...definitely cool!

Another Reefer · #17 01/09/2008, 02:55 PM

Thanks for the link Dave...btw...your tank set-up is looking sweet!

John

Neptune777 · #18 01/09/2008, 03:22 PM

Sure thing

And thanks!

poolshark181 · #19 01/10/2008, 03:15 AM

does anyone know how much power one of these babies with a single tube would consume? gotta watch the electric bill =p

Holstin · #20 01/10/2008, 10:50 AM

do you have pics of your tank when the moonlights are on?

will_w · #21 01/10/2008, 11:08 AM

Rick, I am looking at a new controller that I believe will have some new moonlight controls so I think I am going to pass on this. Thanks,

Will

J. Montgomery · #22 01/10/2008, 11:22 AM

Neptune Systems (AquaController) has moonlight features, but I don't know of anyone thats used their LED moon simulator yet. The AquaController can do moonlight with bulbs, but it isn't able to dim LED lights without their specific moonlight setup.

rick s · #23 01/10/2008, 11:23 AM

Hi Will,

Just wanted to pass along. . . If you're looking at higher-end controllers, you may want to hold off a little while. It sounds like new models are about to come out (ReefKeeper "Elite").

surfnvb7 · #24 01/10/2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by J. Montgomery
Neptune Systems (AquaController) has moonlight features, but I don't know of anyone thats used their LED moon simulator yet. The AquaController can do moonlight with bulbs, but it isn't able to dim LED lights without their specific moonlight setup.

yeah, i will just run my moonlights like any other light program on my AC. and just use a variable voltage transformer so i can run at 7V, 9V or 12V.

their moonlight simulator looks like another box you have to buy, and comes with its own moonlights which i don't like. i imagine you could wire up your own to the box, but that would require stripping the wires etc.

thats allot of money to spend to just strip it apart...and put your own lights on.....lol

J. Montgomery · #25 01/10/2008, 11:37 AM

The AquaController Jr. has a default moon cycle function, but it only works for normal fluorescent bulbs (can dim them according to the lunar calendar and everything). But it doesn't work with the more popular LED lights (it can't dim the LEDs), hence why you have to buy the separate LED moonlight simulator. You could buy a low wattage blue bulb and be in business for cheap.

I just haven't gotten around to trying it.