Aquarium lights that turn on slowly?

6600 Views 6 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Phish, Sep 21, 2012

xdestry

Discussion Starter · Sep 21, 2012

Hey guys I was wondering if there were any aquarium lights that can turn on kind of dim and slowly get to the maximum brightness, my fish and shrimp freak out every time i turn out the light and I would like to lower their stress level if it is possible, thanks!

edit : sorry should have posted this in the lighting section, can a mod move it if they see this? thanks!

Save

1 - 7 of 7 Posts

ua hua

· #2 · Sep 21, 2012

ATI makes dimmable t5's. Or you could try a led fixture whether it be a diy or store bought

Save

l8nite

· #3 · Sep 21, 2012

Definitely you can do this with LEDs -- here's a how-to on an automatic dimming nightlight circuit you can probably adapt to your purposes:

http://makeprojects.com/Project/Automatic-Dimming-Nightlight/1495/1#.UFxJ4NXybng

Save

PlantedRich

· #4 · Sep 21, 2012

I use a relatively cheap system of lights and timers to light /darken in stages. The fish "sense" time in some way and I can see them begin to settle into the sleeping places as the lights begin to go down.
This is on a 125 stocked with Malawi cichlids who do not always get along well during the day. But as night comes closer, they begin to act different. Some come together as a group in one open corner while others back into spaces between plants. One Kenyi rules a corner all day but at night a group of 5-6 juvies gather with him behind "his" rock where they all settle down together.
There seems to be some advantage to letting them do this in a more organized way with a bit of notice.

Save

hbosman

· #5 · Sep 21, 2012

PlantedRich said:
I use a relatively cheap system of lights and timers to light /darken in stages. The fish "sense" time in some way and I can see them begin to settle into the sleeping places as the lights begin to go down.
This is on a 125 stocked with Malawi cichlids who do not always get along well during the day. But as night comes closer, they begin to act different. Some come together as a group in one open corner while others back into spaces between plants. One Kenyi rules a corner all day but at night a group of 5-6 juvies gather with him behind "his" rock where they all settle down together.
There seems to be some advantage to letting them do this in a more organized way with a bit of notice.

I've noticed this with my Cardinal Tetras. They settle in between the plants before the lights go off at 10:00 PM. The Espei and Hengels Rasboras will congregate at the surface after the lights go off though. Perhaps the ambient light is sufficient for them.

Anyway, addressing the original post. Maybe using on of those night light led things on a timer maybe a way to cheaply create a transition. Unless you were wanting to go to ATI or LED lighting in the first place.

Save

PlantedRich

· #6 · Sep 21, 2012

I just added a second timer and two CFL twisty bulbs. First the cfl come on, then later the strip lighting so that both are on. At night the strip goes off and at last the cfl.

Save

Phish

· #7 · Sep 21, 2012

I feel the same way so I have come up with an artifical sunrise in my room. First I put on my closet light for 10 minutes, which gives a small amount. Next I put on my bedroom light for another 10, and finally the aquarium lights themselves. It just seems more natural.

Save

1 - 7 of 7 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month