moon light HELP!!!

legacy2mj · Jan 20, 2015

Only reason im asking is because with the certain timer I have there are 2 seperate switches on my biocube for LEDs, but run only through ONE electrical cord.... So putting them on separate timers is impossible. SO, my 2 options are...

1) have all 3 Blue LED strips on all the time, day and night.

or...

2) put the 3 LED strips on the timer with my day lights, leaving absolutely zero light at night.

so, my delema is... is 3 small strips ( 4 Blue LEDs) on at night too much for my 29 gal biocube? or.... is absolutely no light at night a bad thing?

Any information would be very helpful so I could set it up and leave it alone.

tyler1503 · Jan 20, 2015

Having no light at night isn't an issue at all. People have been running marine tanks that way for decades

All the moonlights are for is our entertainment. To watch our fish late at night, see the corals fluoresce and see nocturnal things come alive.
Some people will argue that it helps simulate dawn and dusk which is more natural, which then provides a better environment. But I don't believe there is any actual proof that it's any more beneficial than no moonlights at all.

PaulKreider · Jan 20, 2015

I would run your moon lights on a timer for only a few hours after your tank lights go off, for example if your main lights go off at 10pm, have the moon lights go off at 12am. I believe having time periods of no light is crucial. You'l notice a lot more critters and things come out in absolute darkness rather than with moonlights.

NanaReefer · Jan 20, 2015

My LPS sweepers never fully extend unless the tank is totally dark. This is a great time for target feeding & broadcast feeding. Total blackout time for my tank is 9pm till 8:30am.