Blacklight Bulb question?

[SeymourDuncan]

I have a bunch of [F15 T8 BLB] Black light bulbs. I have heard they are not good for fish, but only certain wavelengths....and it was all confusing so I thought I'd just ask since I have not been able to help myself with this one.

What is the Effect a regular 18 inch fluorescent black light designed for bedrooms or whatever has on the reef tank?

Do these in fact harm fish? Inverts? Corals? Used as supplemental lighting will it basically kill my stuff? If so, I will donate them to goodwill.

Thank you very much

 

[bige]

I'm not sure but after that Great Barrier Reef show I really want to see what colors my coral may turn. I'll follow to see if anyone knows.

 

[ironworker]

funny i added one over my sump to make my atomic reef reactor and sump glow since they are the flourence green acrylic, and i was told it would stop any pods from growing because of the wavelength. however my fuge is full of pods and my sump looks cool as heck. i have a clear panel on my stand instead of a door. i havent seen any negative effects but i do know there is a difference in wavelength.

 

[dallas reefer]

I understand that back in the day, people used black lights and reg fluorescent. What I've heard.

I tried it on my dt. And it lit all the ....particles in the water. Looked 'cloudy'

 

[slugwall]

Following

 

[SeymourDuncan]

ok, well I have a 10g frag tank with Zoas, Palys, Ricordia, And some others, plus a Valentini Puffer and a Purple Striped Dottyback....Very Diverse colors. I will do my best to take a picture....Any tips on using a Droid Phone Camera to capture good Black light Pics???

 

[SeymourDuncan]

I am just going to try it out.

 

[Loki]

I highly doubt a camera will be able to capture the picture very well. But I hope I'm wrong because I want to see it!!

I thought the same thing about that reef show! I said to my wife. "I need a blacklight" I forgot about it until this thread lol

Also following along.

 

[SeymourDuncan]

DO NOT DO IT!!! HAHAHAH, IT LOOKS LIKE PURPLE MILK. Every particle, like dallas reefer said, Was illuminated..Very sucky, Im sticking with the actinics...This was just a bad idea lol. My girlfriend started screaming when she saw it bc she though there was something wrong, which there was..a terrible appearance! And yes, they camera did nothing. If UV doesnt blind the fish with the wavelength, it sure will blind them with particles...ughhh leeeeee

 

[Troylee]

Lol^^^^ how did the corals pop???

 

[dallas reefer]

Purple milk.......

That's good. Don't think of that.

 

[SeymourDuncan]

Lol^^^^ how did the corals pop???

Like a fly in a glass of purple milk. I couldnt see them at all haha, even looking down was terrible. It amazed me how such clear water can all of the sudden look like a hotel room in a crime scene lol

Purple milk.......

That's good. Don't think of that.

Its all I could think of, I guess the fact that I did it on a 10gallon that is only air powered made it look like milk bubbles, and I was drinking milk at the time of the experiment...which was also purple and WILL make a Neon Mustache

 

[dallas reefer]

Neon mustache. Nice.

 

[SeymourDuncan]

so yeah! haha. Never use a blacklight for aesthetics. If anyone has a purpose for it and would like to share, please do. All I can think of is using it to find fingerprints on the glass....and other things.

 

[dallas reefer]

I don't know if all states are like this, but Texas has a thing, with licenses.

On the back, your birthdate is on it. Visible only with a black light.

 

[SeymourDuncan]

well if you drop your license in your tank, shine the black light on it if a cop need it. lol....

 

[dallas reefer]

Tell him. ....
Go get it fool.

 

[dallas reefer]

Dallas pd buddy showed me that.

 

[SeymourDuncan]

speaking of lights, check out the worst light ever! FRANKENLIGHT: PROJECT GHETTO. I started a thread on it...I had a light fiasco last night and this is a temporary light until thursday, but it was worth showing off. https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/do-yourself-diy/98333-frankenlight-project-ghetto.html