moonlights instead of total darkness every night?

[Kaboobie]

what do you think? yes no? why? I feel like it would make sense to have some light like this if it varies it's intensity based on moon phases and such. Then again I also wonder if it would be a nightmare for algae.

 

[smokin'reefer]

I've often wondered this. I believe I have heard the algea would become the nightmare.

 

[Reef.]

For me it’s a no, the moon light argument doesn’t hold up, if you go out to sea, on most nights of the year you would not see your hand in front of your face, so even less chance seeing your hand 2 foot under water.

 

[Bossman]

I run moonlight in my tanks. They are all set from 1-3% so I don't think algae will be an issue.

How much it does for the inhabitants, I have no idea. But I like seeing the subtle light after dark.

 

[Fernthereefer]

To be honest, I thought the light bleed form my refugium bellow was a sufficient "moon light" as a reverse cycle. Would you use a specific wavelenght? Any benefits? Thanks

 

[Bossman]

To be honest, I thought the light bleed form my refugium bellow was a sufficient "moon light" as a reverse cycle. Would you use a specific wavelenght? Any benefits? Thanks

I use uv only on my moonlight and again, very low percentage.

 

[C. Eymann]

Most moonlights marketed are way too strong, Im a proponent of total darkness myself.
Night dives at even 20ft on a full moon are pitch black when you turn off your dive light.

 

[Kaboobie]

I know that a lot of reef inhabitants only breed during full moons and other lunar phases. With this being the case, it does suggest that the reef gets some light from the moon at least enough for the fish and corals to detect it, or do you think it's more from the tidal shift that happens at that time triggering the response rather than the light?

 

[Phil D.]

For me it’s a no, the moon light argument doesn’t hold up, if you go out to sea, on most nights of the year you would not see your hand in front of your face, so even less chance seeing your hand 2 foot under water.

Having been in the Navy and out at sea, you would be surprised how bright the moon is in the tropics. I have my Hydra 26s set for moonlight and my corals and fish are happier with it than when they were in my JBJ

 

[DeniseAndy]

I just changed over my moonlights. I had just two blue bulbs on from say 7-11pm. I moved them to two simple led strips for same time, but they are run with lots more white and very low power. So far I like it. Been a week. I do not keep them on all night. As stated, it gets dark out there.

 

[tehmadreefer]

Moonlights!! Now that’s some oldddd school reefing. But ya, it’s more your benefit than your livestock.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Yep. I do it for me, not them. I just like to see them at night in evenings. My cucumbers and conch come out.

 

[Kaboobie]

Moonlights!! Now that’s some oldddd school reefing. But ya, it’s more your benefit than your livestock.

I mean they still include these things in modern led fixtures so I think it is still a valid and not fully solved question as far as I can tell there is no real consensus.

 

[Saltyreef]

I run a lunar phase on my fixtures.
Its blacked out when the cycle reaches no moon.

Coral breeds based on the lunar cycle to the best of my knowledge so i figured it can only benefit to mimic nature as close as possible.

I choose the dimmest color and setting possible when at full moon too.

 

[Uncle99]

I go dark for 12 hours.
I want my corals to fully rest from photosynthesis.

 

[Reef.]

I mean they still include these things in modern led fixtures so I think it is still a valid and not fully solved question as far as I can tell there is no real consensus.

Aren’t those only meant for a couple of hours before lights out? I don’t think they are there to be on all night? Which is what you are asking about I think.

Even if some moon light is seen, I would think the amount is so small, a LED light is going to be many times stronger than the moon light that is visible underwater, I would also say most of our homes are never totally dark at night anyway, what with street lights, standby lights on electrical equipment etc, if light is needed at night I think we already provide enough.

I actually cover my tank at night, I just feel it’s the right thing to do, even with it covered, light still makes it’s way in there, I really don’t think we need to be providing more.

 

[tehmadreefer]

I mean they still include these things in modern led fixtures so I think it is still a valid and not fully solved question as far as I can tell there is no real consensus.

ya but this was done over a decade ago... Go to reef central if you want to see a consensus. They are really that old.

 

[tehmadreefer]

I know that a lot of reef inhabitants only breed during full moons and other lunar phases. With this being the case, it does suggest that the reef gets some light from the moon at least enough for the fish and corals to detect it, or do you think it's more from the tidal shift that happens at that time triggering the response rather than the light?

Its the gravitational pull.

 

[Spieg]

I scavenged a pair of blue LED moonlights from an old light fixture. I run them for 3 hours after the main lights go off (I like the blue shimmer in the evening). Don't think two LEDs are making enough PAR to cause any increase in algae (or certainly not enough to cause a "nightmare").

 

[Kris 2020]