Ok well so far on my tanks I have pre-preped and have cycled at this point, I was looking to invest in a different lighting set-up for my tanks other then a perfecto hood with a perfecto lighing system. I was really hoping to get a 'Satellite SunPaq with Lunar Light (Current)' for all my tanks. I like the idea of a lunar light (I wish to view the puffs at night (but first I have to get them to put in the tanks )) I saw these lights at a LFS and went on to search for a cheaper source and have so found one. Is there any benifits on this lighting system to the fish or the plants I have in the tank? Or would it be better to stick with the perfecto hoods and get a seperate (cheaper) lunar light system?
The main concern about these lights to me would be the lack of a 'hood' to protect any jumpy puffs.
Any ideas on this would be of great help. If you know of any other lighting systems that are better & or cheaper then this please let me know!
Could you please give the wattage specs on the different lights?
Also you would need a glass hood - open-topped tanks are a big no-no in my books, unless the lights are covered and hung over the tank, and you have installed an inside ledge around the rim of the tank to prevent jumpouts, where applicable. Measure your tank carefully to find an appropriate glass hood, or call the manufacturer.
Perfectos struck me as expensive when last I looked at them. Watching puffers sleep is not the most exciting activity either, but different species have different activity levels at night. The best light for night-viewing is not a blue LED but a red-spectrum light. $3 for a red "party bulb" at your local hardware store.
With any lights like this, you NEED to use a glass lid. They are cheap, though, so not a big deal. Versatop is one brand name, you can look for that. The glass lid not only keeps the fish in, but it protects the light from any water that might splash up and short it out.. plus it limits evaporation as well.
I do like the looks of that light. Do you already have live plants though? I wouldn't go to a compact flourescent (that's what it is right?) unless you have live plants, since otherwise the algae will thrive in that much light and you won't be able to see your fish hehe... If you won't be going with live plants, it might be easier to just stick with what you have and get a lunar light that just clips on or something.
At the moment I have only nine open-topped tanks, I used to have more. The risk is generally managable with many fish, but not with all. The lights are suspended several inches above the tank and no issue at all.
I already have my tanks stocked with plants. The wattage I have to check out again. Is there any small red light fixtures I can find? I guess I am going to stick with my perfecto hoods and add a red light to some of the tanks.
RTR wrote: Even a simple night light with a dark red bulb will serve in a smaller tank. Otherwise, I find small fluorescents with heavy filters (gel or glass) or photo safety lights to work well - pretty easy DIY. Fish in general are not sensitive to red light, due to its rapid absorbtion with depth in water.
I'll look into that. It sounds a lot cheaper just setting up a few 'night lights' then getting a blue led system or a whole new lighting system for some of my tanks.
)) I saw these lights at a LFS and went on to search for a cheaper source and have so found one. Is there any benifits on this lighting system to the fish or the plants I have in the tank? Or would it be better to stick with the perfecto hoods and get a seperate (cheaper) lunar light system?
