Black Lighting

[Dickie]

Are black lights safe on a reef tank? In the past I'd been led to believe that they are can cause damage to the sight of fish and also kill bacteria in the tank. However, recently I've seen some pictures posted by people using black lights in their tank, and I must say that the colours that come out are pretty spectacular. I would like to use this kind of lighting for night lights.

[Katspaw]

Dickie,
The photographics that you are seeing where the corals are glowing and appears to be blackight, It Isn't. We use Actinic Lighting, it is a blue light. It is for saltwater tanks and will not hurt your fish. Some use it to counter react the yellow of the MH or daylight bulbs ( VHO or PC Compacts). It also makes a nice dawn/dusk light as the sun would come up or go down. I have found that corals with actinic lighting inconjuction with metal halide or white lighting do better and color up better than with just the white lights alone. And also think of the fish in the tank, Do you like to have the sun blasted in your eyes when you first wake up??? Of course this is just my opinion.

Tracey

[Dickie]

Katspaw,
It is black lighting that is being used. I know the difference between actinic and black lights. I've been using actinics for over a year now. Here is a link to a couple of the posts on reefs.org. link 1 (http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=30935)
link 2 (http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=30854)

[Reefette]

Unfortunatelly, black lights are not safe for fish, or any other animals that are under them for any length of time. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif They produce a lot of UV which will kill your fish and corals over a short amount of time.

The closest thing we as reefers can do to imitate the colors shown under black light is to use actinic blue lighting. Sorry.

[celtguy]

...i use a LED "moonlight" for night viewing that is retro fitted under my compact flourescent canopy. It produces really nice nightlight and does not harm fish or inverts.

Dave

[charlietang]

The reason they glow is because of the bacteria. the corals get some of their colors from. only not that, it's because the corals feed mainly off these bacteria (and other unicelluar organisms) it's kinda like the saying you are what you eat

[Chuck S]

The moonlights being made are not a black light nowhere near. I have personally seen every model. I have seen several shades of blue green and red. Just an FYI

[mikeortrina]

not sure i agree with you about blacklights killing fish or corals. i have 2 15 watt black lights on my 110 gallon. they have been on there for 3 years and i have had no fish or corals die.