Moonlights

[Pappy]

So I run moonlights from 10:00pm to 8:00am...I was thinking that reefs do not generally see light at night unless it's a full moon (maybe 3 nights out of the month). Is there a positive/negative effect to running them all the time for viewing? Should I not run them? Should corals "rest"? Would love input and experience on what you guys/gals are doing thx for your help!


Mike D "like the beastie boys" Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[HAudioSolutions]

I believe 99.9% is just for dark viewing and a neat effect at night. I've read of lunar cycles spuring some corals to actually spawn but I'd say that's a big rarity in a captive reef.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I have no idea what the impact is on coral, but I do know the fish and snails "see" the light. My Mexican Turbos would not come out when the moonlights were on. So I do not run my moonlights through the night. I've made them part of my light cycle and have them come on first to mimic early dawn, and go off last to mimic dusk. Oh, and FYI, I have two, four foot IceCap LED moonlight tubes....pretty bright.

 

[ritter6788]

I don't run moonlights anymore. It's a cool effect and helps nighttime viewing but I never noticed any difference with or without them.

 

[Pappy]

I have no idea what the impact is on coral, but I do know the fish and snails "see" the light. My Mexican Turbos would not come out when the moonlights were on. So I do not run my moonlights through the night. I've made them part of my light cycle and have them come on first to mimic early dawn, and go off last to mimic dusk. Oh, and FYI, I have two, four foot IceCap LED moonlight tubes....pretty bright.

This is odd to me so your turbos do not come out when lights are on? Mine are out all the time regardless...


Mike D "like the beastie boys" Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Pappy]

Bump anymore input?


Mike D "like the beastie boys" Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wysiwyg]

run them for an 1hr before lights on then 1hr after lights off to mimic dusk/dawn

 

[Ace25]

I do the same, I run my moonlights for an hour after my other lights go off, and then in the morning before the lights come on. I noticed if I left them on all night certain fish (filefish) never went to sleep.

 

[Pappy]

I already have a killer dusk and dawn due to controller. So general consensus is to not run them...thanks everyone!


Mike D "like the beastie boys" Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Steelerfan747]

It looks like I'm the minority on this one but I run them from the time my lights go off till about 8 am. I find that I can enjoy my tank at night and all my fish are able to sleep through the night even my clowns even though their anemone is ask the way up top. I was also able to have my corals spawn many years ago. I don't know if the moonlights were responsible as I have never had it happen again but I keep using then

 

[Detroit_306]

i run them all night at a lower intensity, mainly aesthetically pleasing then anything else

 

[Shelby2012]

I run them after all lights are off till 4am. They are off from 4am till 6am and then on till the actinic starting to turn on at 9am.

 

[markak]

I run them on the lunar cycle.