LED Day and Night Lighting

Led lighting has come a long way and we will see more and more of this to come. Today we have quite a few options out there from DIY to brands. While I'm no expert when it comes to aquariums, I do on the other-hand have 30+ year background in electronics and IT supporting the financial trades around the world. Today I own a natural spa using only the pureness of natural elements. No canned products, no overnight fixes, just the purity of nature towards wellness.

So, here's my goal with this

24 hour lighting 30 Day Test/Review/Feedback

I will be running my tests over the next 30 days with my O2A 55G (Ode to Avatar) setup for a more natural lighting setup.

Lighting: Current Satellite Plus 48 - 60 in LED

Additional 3-Led modals to be installed 18/03/2015: Truelumen Actinic Blue (2) & Truelumen Lunar White

I really love my current LED unit and yes it has a bunch of fancy modes but I only use the daylight tuned 6500K mode for 10 hours per day and flip it to moonlight mode for night viewing which I find to be too bright for one and not natural. Therefore the reasoning behind the additional led modals is to produce a more natural moonlight. 2 main goals behind this is to produce a less stressful environment and better growing of plants. Plants also require moonlight as in the natural world. While this may open debate on lighting for aquariums, the purpose of this thread is to show that both light modes are required for a healthy natural environment.

My tanks are not setup to be a crystal clean artificial world, they are setup to produce a balanced natural world even if fantasy themed such as my O2A tank. The O2A setup is growing quite well with the Current LED and fish all seem quite happy. This setup has no non-natural colors, artificially colored rocks or plastic deco.

I firmly believe that what is not natural has no place in a world that I've created to be natural or for that fact fantasy themed. It's a personal choice and yes there are some wonderful artistic artificial decorations out there and even some very artistic tank setups using them, just not my taste even if beautiful.

Pictures to follow.

Not the best photo but best the iphone can do with it's standard photo app. It really looks awesome and the community seems less active then when my current unit is on. The 2 blues are to the back with the 12000k lunar to the mid front.




Today was the first day after using the moon/lunar lights that were installed last night.

Observations:
1) Fish were very natural like this morning. No jitters, spooks or faded colors.
2) Tetras stayed close to their groups and once daylight mode was on they were begging for treats.
3) Notice a darker green to some plants which was not there last night prior to setting the moon lighting.

Quite happy so far with what I've seen in 24hrs...to be continued

 

A few thoughts....

Experiments are great and can help figure out a lot of things.

In my research and reading I have found that fish don't really need light at night. If you went out into nature where a lot of these fish live, you would find the light levels in the water at night are very dark. Remember the moon only is full once a month or so. On other nights there is cloud cover, partial moon, or due to the orbit is not visible or obscured by trees, hills, etc. Even when the moon is full and shinning overhead, it is nowhere near as bright as the blue moonlights or lunar lighting that most fixtures come with. Many of these fish are in forests or shaded areas, have floating plants, trees, limbs, leaves, etc further obscuring the light that penetrates into the water. The sun can penetrate somewhat, but I don't think the moonlight penetrates too much into these environments. These lights are entirely made for humans to be able to see the fish, while not disturbing the fish too much.

Another thought about the fish, I would think (I'm just guessing here) that their natural defenses would tell them to go to sleep in a dark, secluded area/spot. This would make them much harder to find by predators. So their natural instincts would tell them to find the darkest spot. You may be able to test this somewhat, by observing where in your tank the fish sleep. If they are sleeping in the corners, under leaves, or in spots where the light doesn't hit as much, then you could hypothesize that they are actively choosing the darker areas.

As for plants, they need a definite light on and light off cycle. Looking in your photo, the lunar 12k light is pretty bright. The plants that it shines on, will be in grow mode the entire time. They need time to reverse the respiration process and build back up CO2 levels in the tank. You could somewhat deal with this by constantly injecting CO2, but again this wouldn't be very "natural". In your first post, you stated that plants require moonlight. Where have you read this? My research says the opposite, that they need a downtime to rest and recharge for another growth period.

Here is one thread from plantedtank that I quickly found discussing some of the pros and cons.



For me personally, I would run the moonlights if you were around and wanted to view your tank, but aside from that, may as well save the electricity and turn everything off when you aren't around/sleeping. I run a split photo period to help lengthen the viewing time at night. It also helps with better growth and inhibits algae. I run my lights from 9am - 1pm, then 5pm to 10pm. 9 hours total, divided into 2 photo periods. Gives the tank to recharge some CO2 midday and overnight for better growth periods.

 

Points well taken but this is still a major debate around the world. Tetras, goby and many other freshwater species do not live in blackouts in their natural habitats. The cycle of light is not just growth, but stimulation of metabolic requirements and more. Even if their is success with controlled, it is still debatable to it's efficiency and with newer technology today and it's not just about light anymore. LED's can produce frequencies for certain growing of plants both land and water born. We see this in blue/red grow lights. We also see how LED light has evolved from a cosmetic/medical perspective used for both stimulation and healing. So, this is not to argue what's right or better, it's a test to see just how much lighting has effects during a full cycle. As for Co2, I actually have trickle feed during the night from my DIY setup that is a 4 liter aluminum container. Yes, I know it's not 100% natural, but what I am trying to do is make it as natural as possible and finding balance. Not just about our viewing pleasure, but also about a world within a world so to speak.

My Koi pond follows the same 24 hour lighting and has so for over 4 months as they are accustomed to outdoors, so keeping that in mind, the lighting for my 500g indoor pond replicates the same outdoor cycle and my Koi are very well. This is not a planted setup like that of my O2A 55, but I can attest to the lighting being a key factor in keeping my koi healthy and happy. At first when they were introduced to the tank they became distant and one of my butterfly became quite aggressive to the others. Changed the lighting to mimic their outside pond cycle and this butterfly not only calmed down, but has become one of the most friendliness in the tank. So light cycles whether natural or man-made affect all living creatures in my opinion and experience so far.

As another example of how light affects natural settings is how tomatoes actually become darker, more red during a full moon cycle for example when bearing their fruits. Roses keep the blooms open longer during brighter evenings, water lilies react and have seen my Japanese maple reach to the moon during full moons. You should see what happens in my garden when we have those whopper full moons.

I think the key is to find what works best depending on your taste and goals. I ave ordered wifI controlled power outlets and other little addons that will be part of this trial as well. So far only 24 hours have passed, so it's still early in the game.

Going to be setting up a Belkin WeMo circuit tonight including the Belkin Netcam for remote viewing. The Belkin modals will allow remote control to lighting and netcam. I noticed and increased growth in the plants as well as a deeper more vibrant colouring. Little string algae also noted so I'll check parameters as well. I'm almost positive it's because of the irregular (manual on off times). This will allow a more stable 24hr lighting that is balanced and give me more time to enjoy.

 

This is fascinating! Dolfan, I am waiting for your response, anybody else chiming in? Dadio, thank you for starting this thread. Keep us posted.

 

My pleasure. More pics coming too.

 

Love to see your pictures, but I want to know about the moon's influence on my tank.

Judging by the pictures you've posted you have an amazing set up, you seem to know what you are doing,
Dolfan, when he posts on Fishlore, to my knowledge, has never been wrong so far.

Not that I want either one of you to be wrong, I just want to learn from the exchange of the Titans

 

Oh don't get me wrong. Dolfan points are well taken and valid. From my perspective I'm applying many viewpoints. My pond build skills and years of being with my family of Koi has taught me more than science or for that fact, human's science can or could have. I'm not anti-science, but I do believe that we cannot truly understand that which is created without the hand of man. I come from 2 backgrounds, one in IT for 35 years including development of the early stages of inter-banking networking, cad/cam and more. The other is over 15 years in research and development using phyto-aroma sciences towards health and wellness of skin using the pure principles of nature's elements (raw materials, essential oils and encapsulated micro extracts) including the use of non-invasive light for healing, micro-current and ems(electro muscle stimulation). Many essentials oils of plants are captured during a full moon because of the potency of their aromas that are heightened by the moonlight. Some flowers if fact only open in the moonlight. Same for mammals, the effects of sunlight/moonlight impact reproduction, growth and yes happiness. Oh, another example of the effect of the moon can be seen from the bar scene, just ask any bouncer lol (also was a DJ in my youth behind 1/2 shatterproof glass)

What nature has taught us is surreal at times where it defies our logical understandings and presumptions. Reflective, direct, radiant and infrared lighting is all around us and part of natures very tools of creation. Common sense tells and shows us that even if mathematically impossible, nature is all powerful and more resourceful than we give her credit for. So, with that being said, my aI'm in all of this is to show there are many ways in creating micro-worlds. In a purely controlled environment, aquariums are crystal masterpieces in my opinion being semi-natural. It's like we take a visual chunk of nature to bring it closer to us because of the rewards we all know that come forth. To find a perfect balance I believe is what each of us try to create from our own perspectives and that is where the magic of this hobby comes to life.

Summery of Today:

After 3 days of using moonlight I can honestly say it has impacted the overall health of the O2A tank. I got the belkin netcam working well and that gives me remote viewing through any connected device. As for the WeMo switch from Belkin well that's a fail for this evening as the unit crapped out after a firmware update so going to have to exchange this unit later on today. Not so impressed with that!

 

Much of what Dadio is saying I agree with it. Where I disagree is about the amount of moonlight that would penetrate into the water in nature, but I could be wrong, as I don't have a PAR meter and don't plan on traveling the world to test it out, haha. I don't know much about gobies, but lets take tetras for instance....

In nature, they mostly live in South American rain forests. Just the regular cycle of the moon means that some nights there will be a full moon (decent light), some nights small crescent moon (little light), some nights new moon (next to nothing), and other nights where the moon isn't in the sky at night at all. Then you also have cloudy nights as well. So over the course of 30 days there are varying amounts of light.

Then you have to factor in other things obscuring the lights. Being in a rainforest there is a lot of tree cover and other plants obscuring the light. There is a lot of floating plants (such as amazon frogbit) and leaves on surface blocking light. Then you also have the fact they live in a blackwater biotype with lots of tannins in the water staining the water a bit, further blocking the light.

So my hypothesis or guess would be that for tetras, they receive very little actual moon light penetrating into the water on most nights, and maybe just a slight amount when there is a full moon. I'm sure this may affect plants one way or the other. But I was just comparing the light amount I see in the photo from post #2 and think in Dadio's tank that light is relatively very bright, and not as subdued or even non existent as it may be in nature. In my opinion I don't think the light would be that bright in an Amazon blackwater biotype on any nights.

With that said, Dadio's experiment could prove that boosting plants with some additional "supplemental" light at night may create more growth. A better way to test it would be with 2 tanks side by side, with equal stocking and plant density. One with the moonlighting and one without. Without having a baseline to compare it to it is a lot of guessing. But Dadio has an awesome tank, that would be hard to replicate for these testing purposes.

A question for Dadio, late at night where do you see the fish sleeping, do they hide in the shadows, or are they in the light? This may provide some idea of what the fish prefer.

 

Well said Dolfan here's something to ponder that will shed more "light"

Shedding Light on Light in the Ocean

While this report mainly pertains to the ocean, in effect this affects all water and terrestrial bodies. Even stars produce light to a certain extent. I agree with all you said but we can't truly state that tetras are in a blackout state as transient light still can reach unless they of course are cave dwellers.

Here's what I noticed with the moonlight phase so far. The schools (tetras/rainbows) are attracted to the moonlight but not in the same ways as seen during daylight mode. I see that they are less spooked, or maybe more at ease about the tank rather than hiding in a dark zone. Before the addition of the moonlight what I saw was not only do they go into hiding but their whole system slows down and thus the effect of bleached out coloring when we turn the lights on to daylight mode. What I also observed was they in affect go into hiding if some sort of ambient lighting is not present which I can summarize as two effects;

1) During this shutdown(blackout) mode without light they spread out to find hiding places which I believe is an instinctive mode of protection against nocturnal predators from my observations so far thus maybe explaining the loss of coloration as well. I've seen this with all of the fish in all of the tanks, whether it be koi or tetras. Gobies seem a little more active during the night as they are somewhat on the shy side.

2) It takes about 15 mins before I start to see a more normal activity after lights have been activated but also I see they are open to a possible threat if a predatory species were present as they are quite lethargic during this phase whereas when moonlight is used they are more responsive and no stress.

Summery:

Moonlight usage shows after 3 days a more colorful (deeper) foliage now being produced where also noted the cohabitants of this tank are seeming more and more interactive towards each other. Still early in the game but has become quite an exciting journey so far.

LED Specs

3-gang Actinic Blue Truelumen 453nm (x2)
3-gang Lunar White Truelumen 12,000K Moon White (x1)
Current Satellite LED+ 48-60 2000 Lumen Color Temp 6500K Optimized Default Freshwater tuned daylight mode Par12 36 - Par18 28 - Par24 21

Here is a photo of the typical night modes on all LED arrays, or many night time lighting which is more black light than night blue. In this photo this is not Actinic which is true water blue that produces natural stimulI bases on the frequency of Actinic, in fact this blue light is effectively used in skincare for acne treatments and stopping p-acne bacteria propagation, so in others words, Actinic blue is a healing light not only for humans, but in part for nature as well.. Many blue leds are just that, blue. If you compare photos you can well see the difference where one is more soft and natural and the other just a vibrant blue. My 55 gallon uses 9 leds spread at key points both for visual impact and bio stimulI for night mode and a 96 led array for daylight mode.

Untouched iPhone 5 photos

Typical blue light




Combo Blue/Lunar White (while this may look like a bright white it in fact is misleading as it is a more soft like shadowing glow. Also notice the difference in blue tones which are darker towards the bottom vs the other is same almost top to bottom. Yes there are more leds on the full array seen in the 1st photo but only half are active during night mode.

This is more natural seeing in person, but for me it is not only more natural but I also noted that if I look to much in the first mode it actually affects both my eyesight and even a little of my mood. The truelumen moonlight mode on the other hand draws me more in making me feel kinda warm and fuzzy which is the same after affects seen in photo LED facials (Red/Blue is in same 450's as Actinic/Green) where the only difference is the led intensity used for rejuvenation as it pulses through the derm including bone which would not work in an aquarium as you'd need blackout sunglasses (I own a spa using phyto-aroma (plant/non-animal) naturals & non-invasive techniques with the highest 5-star rating for 4 years in a row concentrating on both wellness and yes, rejuvenation where we use the safe technologies of LED and micro-current)




Here's an example of a technology using micro-current and some special alloys. The moonlight blue gives it a unique yet eerie glow. True, it's not natural, but creates no harm, only benefits for invertebrate, plants and community. About the tank there are those darkest regions as the tank has many things not seen to our eye's such as caverns with multiple chambers. This also provides safe haven for those of the different species in this tank that require it from a instinctive need and not forced. If you've seen the daylight shots of O2A, look close to the far right where the large rock face is behind the tree. That's the main intake system which also house the thermal heater. The skimmer is to the front which also has a smaller intake on the bottom of the glass tube. The rock face also allows current to flow behind as the outflow on the my lily pipes is to the top front left.




You be the judge, which is more appealing?

Now here's the next stage and thank you Dolfan for this. You mentioned the phases of the moon, and yes you are right on the money with that. So, the Truelumen modal is a 3-LED array. This allows me to yes, manually cover off 1 led to stimulate the changing phases. So ok, some may ask what would that do

This affects all life-cycles of everything as it stimulates reproductive/regenerative cycles in all life as we know it. For the guys in doubt; ask your GF about it

 

yessssssssss I love these points XD XD

 

I am thinking of replicating this to compare and contrast. With Dolfan permission. I have a 5 gallon betta tank. I am working on planting this weekend. We can compare not only overall fish health on betta with moonlight/daylight samples but on new plants. For comparison on behavior I also have a 20 gallon community that has both day and night led settings but no plants, but It can be a behavioral comparison if they don't mind. And if someone is interested, once completed they can be compared side by side. I can always ad a cutting of a plant or two in the other tank as well.

 

I something else that just came to mind was my betta tank that uses a dual led that has a daylight mode using both white/blue with an actinic night mode as well. Today I came home and I have not really been paying much attention to it but the wisteria has turned into a jungle and Chico is loving it.




Forgot to mention, I finally got the WeMo switch working along with the netcam. Netcam also has IR night viewing so I can watch the tank any time anywhere. This is timed to actual sunrise/sunset realtime. It can be set for auto gps or a named region. This is getting cooler by the moment

This tank "Chico's Paradise" is 1.5 months old. Less than 30 days with plants from sprigs. Random liquid ferts, whisper bio wheel filter, antique heater and a micro Co2 DIY chopstick diffuser.

 

well as soon as he gives permission I will replicate it. I well measure plant growth/ health along with fish behavior/health with my two tanks.

they won't be as close as they could one being a community and the other a betta tank, but it would allow us to test the theory on more than one species.

 

Dadio what is the plant that's planted on the left side of that pic?

 

well as soon as he gives permission I will replicate it. I well measure plant growth/ health along with fish behavior/health with my two tanks.

they won't be as close as they could one being a community and the other a betta tank, but it would allow us to test the theory on more than one species.

Sounds great. In my O2A tank their is a quite few different species as well and all are very healthy. If you read some of my other posts there's even a misfit shrimp that is thriving. Each part of the O2A tank has yes, created a fantasy affect but at the same time it's a combination of everything including lights, water flow, current and overall layout. The first month of this tank was no where near where it is almost 3 months later with all the tinkering. Now with the addition of controlled natural lighting cycle adds many things from what I am seeing in a very short period.

Other point noted with using this method of lighting was a natural temperature change of about 1.5 degrees. This is caused by the difference of heat from the large array to the small array of leds...I think. Well, the offset of this in effect is similar to a natural change in temp between day/night, even if minor in comparison to their true habitats.

You know something, I was told it was a sort of wisteria and in all do honesty I'm really not all that sure other than all of a sudden boom...lol

 

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love that stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​

 

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love that stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To be honest with you on this tank, and I know I might get a scolding lol, but I've done nothing to it at all. Never a water test, one minor water change and top off when needed. This is the real def of low maintenance lol. I turn lights off and on with no fixed timing at all. So time for a little touch up. Every light in this room is led. Pots are 3w mix of full spectrum/grow so the O2A tank is really the techy one of the bunch.

Note of stock of O2A 55G

Plants: Chose for look and feel - ask me their names, well that's a whole other story
Inverts: Almano, Red Crystal, Cherry Red, Assassins, Dwarf Mexican Crayfish, Hitchhikers<(snails you get when buying from idiots)

The family: Goby, Bleeding Hearts, Neons, Threadfin Rainbow, Golden Dwarf Ram, Hillstream Loach, ...did I miss someone...lol

 

dang!!!! no scolding from me but hmmmmm :/ lol

 

In essence, O2A is a biosphere of interracial acceptance. Each has their space and what I have seen in the wonder of this build is just how it is possible to have balance of all from a philosophical view. While I joke in ways with many of you, I am in fact awed with what I'm learning and already knew in my own beliefs and yes, the trials and errors. I believe what many of us do when creating these micro worlds is the escape, the way it takes us away from our sorrows and somewhere adds a lost balance in each our own way. Purists may not agree with this, but that again resides in their perspective and yes, their wisdom where I lift my hat off to them for their diligence.

I want to point out something to all the newcomers/beginners. This works for me in the creations I've done with yes, the help of the many guru's and tinkerers out there. I am in gratitude for all the compliments of what I've achieved and believe it or not with very little knowledge. I'm am artist in many forms of what I do in my life. I'm am an anti-conformist where this adventure has shown me there are no rules when you abide by "natural flow"

What I mean by this is, don't limit your imaginations, only respect the flow and within that, balance is possible and not only with the feat of a biosphere in as simple or as complex that you want it to be, but in also in the many domains of life.

 

Alright then I will set this up to give it a try on Monday. A thought, I could do this two ways: one tank 1 hours light and 12 hours dark the other tank moonlight instead of dark. Or 12 hours light, 1 hr moonlight, 11hours dark the other tank moonlight instead of dark. Depending on what variable is tested. I am not as fancy in electronics as you, but will be using a standard timer. Dadio

 

HI Angelbear Looking forward to hearing your results. What LEDs are you going to use?

Reason I ask is the Current Truelumen series are the only brand one's that I'm aware of that produce both the color temps/frequencies for the moonlight that I'm using. Also, I'm using the current satellite plus 48-60 for daylight which is 2000 lumens with a tuned 6500K daylight mode. With substrate in my O2A, the Par value varies from just over a PAR12(36) up to a PAR18(28) range.

Awesome! This is turning into a great thread IMO.

The Truelumens are not that expensive. Got mine on sale for $9 CAD each and the power adapter for 14 I use 2 blue and one white (3leds module)

My betta tank is a National Geographics LED light strip with a moonnight mode by manual switch. One of these days I'll make a circuit for all of the lighting in the room. But for now this is working well for me and all the tanks. I use a current sattalite led flexI strip on my KOI pond with a ceiling spot which is a 3W Full Spectrum led. Using LEDs use way less energy and are far more longer lasting. Not to mention eco responsible. All other lights are toxic for the environment and there's enough mercury in them that if in contact with skin that's a really a bad thing.

Here's what I can tell you from what I know. The blue also produces a certain light freq that helps plant growth as does red. LEDs are not their yet where one can produce all of the spectrum required, thus the use of different colours and combinations. What we also see in grow LED arrays is the use of IR and UV as well. Search it out on the net and you can see just how these arrays are used for aquaponics or just plain interior gardens.

 

I think what I am going to do is a series of different phases first on my betta and then on my 20 gallon community to see the effects on different species.

what I would like to do is
white light 24 hours
blue light 24 hours
blue and white 12 hours a piece
white 12 hours, blue six, black out 6

do each trial for a month and document the changes, this will tell us just how much effect Aquarium overhead lights would effect the behavior of plants and fish. A food for thought, they make red led in those colored bubblers but I do not know of it would be the right frequency, they also make infrared for reptiles bit I don't know how that would effect an Aquarium, they out put heat.

I plan on researching stuff today, and detail out my plan and put it up tomorrow and link it to here, what would be neat is if a few others would join in so we can get information on several different species and see if one might be more sensitive or if it is broad range. This could finally answer the debate on lighting.
@daido

 

You are on to something and yes I agree.

What I know about LED comes from both my electronics background and yes, how we use LED technology in skincare. The first use of red light for healing alone goes back over 40 years. Today we understand a great deal more and LED tech is ever changing.

In a controlled precise timing we will see some very interesting results that I guarantee. But that's a controlled precision. What I am doing is following the bio rhythm of lighting as close as possible. @Dolphin brought up a very important point imo and that was the moon phase. To be as natural as possible means following this as well of which I am planing with my O2A.

Here's how I'm going about it:

Timer: Belkin WeMo switch timed to my region sunrise/sunset. As it pulls info from the net, it follows exactly the outside world which imo is also part of instinct. As humans, we all know what it's like turning on a bright light in a room with someone sleeping. Same goes for fish. So I'm trying in fact to do this minimizing the shock. The Current pro model which is out of my price range does this fully timed with ramp up and ramp down. This is the ideal world as it truly produces a natural lighting. The sun does not just pop on

Here's something from a sleep study to think about. "When being faced with a sudden turn of lighting the human is shocked into waking. This in fact affects the humor of the human. Studies have shown that with a natural ramp up to waking that humans are more positive, less stressed with a more stabilized metabolism."

What is missing from my test is the slow ramp up/down as I'd have to make something to do this, so here's how I got it to be closer. So, with only one timer I in fact keep the moonlights active during daylight mode as they add to the light spectrum. The white lunar adds 12000k to my tank as you see it that fully blends in when daylight is on. When daylight turns off the impact of shock has been minimized to my stock which I saw before when just doing an on/off. The WeMo circuit allows me to access it remote anytime and with the addition of the netcam see it too. I did a further test using the netcam to see just how activity is affected.

By setting motion dection anything that moves is detected by the cam sending me a notice. During day mode its a super highway so to speak. In night mode the cams detection dropped slowly on startup of nightmode which imo is the natural way that this would be happening as it showed that nocturnal activity was happening. In blackout mode it was almost dead still.

 

You are on to something and yes I agree.

What I know about LED comes from both my electronics background and yes, how we use LED technology in skincare. The first use of red light for healing alone goes back over 40 years. Today we understand a great deal more and LED tech is ever changing.

In a controlled precise timing we will see some very interesting results that I guarantee. But that's a controlled precision. What I am doing is following the bio rhythm of lighting as close as possible. @Dolphin brought up a very important point imo and that was the moon phase. To be as natural as possible means following this as well of which I am planing with my O2A.

Here's how I'm going about it:

Timer: Belkin WeMo switch timed to my region sunrise/sunset. As it pulls info from the net, it follows exactly the outside world which imo is also part of instinct. As humans, we all know what it's like turning on a bright light in a room with someone sleeping. Same goes for fish. So I'm trying in fact to do this minimizing the shock. The Current pro model which is out of my price range does this fully timed with ramp up and ramp down. This is the ideal world as it truly produces a natural lighting. The sun does not just pop on

Here's something from a sleep study to think about. "When being faced with a sudden turn of lighting the human is shocked into waking. This in fact affects the humor of the human. Studies have shown that with a natural ramp up to waking that humans are more positive, less stressed with a more stabilized metabolism."

What is missing from my test is the slow ramp up/down as I'd have to make something to do this, so here's how I got it to be closer. So, with only one timer I in fact keep the moonlights active during daylight mode as they add to the light spectrum. The white lunar adds 12000k to my tank as you see it that fully blends in when daylight is on. When daylight turns off the impact of shock has been minimized to my stock which I saw before when just doing an on/off. The WeMo circuit allows me to access it remote anytime and with the addition of the netcam see it too. I did a further test using the netcam to see just how activity is affected.

By setting motion dection anything that moves is detected by the cam sending me a notice. During day mode its a super highway so to speak. In night mode the cams detection dropped slowly on startup of nightmode which imo is the natural way that this would be happening as it showed that nocturnal activity was happening. In blackout mode it was almost dead still.

well I plan on doing what I can with what I can do/affordable/available. I will try all the lighting conditions I stated above. I am thinking a combination of florescent and led and straight led as well. I might try to do something with red led lights as well. It depends on what I find in the store when I go.

 

I can't prove this one in aqua spaces but can in skincare and known sciences. Another point I can make about the Actinic blue. This freq is used in skincare for killing p-acne bacteria, we just call it another name. When we add red light at 650nm it also heals, reduces inflammation and stimulates our ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) Google it to understand more what ATP is and why it's crucial to our health. This exists in all living things. So in theory this could add an added benefit for a healthier environment. The led arrays for the aqua space are not the same as our professional units for photoled treatments as they are not the same power level, but the physics and specifications of the light spectrum are the same.

No matter what lighting we use that is currently available today we all know that it is not what is outside as many spectrums are removed for safety of humans, but we are coming closer and closer with LED.

Maybe one day we can unbox and just "plug&play" but until then, the joy in this is the exploration to create a perfect biosphere for both enjoyment and learning

 

I can't prove this one in aqua spaces but can in skincare and known sciences. Another point I can make about the Actinic blue. This freq is used in skincare for killing p-acne bacteria, we just call it another name. When we add red light at 650nm it also heals, reduces inflamation and stimulates our ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) Google it to understand more what ATP is and why it's crucial to our health. This exists in all living things. So in theory this could add an added benefit for a healthier environment. The led arrays for the aqua space are not the same as our professional units for photoled treatments as they are not the same power level, but the physics and specifications of the light spectrum are the same.

I feel my biology coming back to me. I see the point your trying to make. I am hitting a road block on finding appropriate size moonlight led of any spectrum to fit my five gallon tank bowfrobt tank, I am still looking going to hit another store tomorrow (suggestions). I am finding a lot that would fit my 20g. So I think I will start with 24 hour white light, why I am looking/ordering acceptable moonlighting. By doing the two extremes first, would give me a base for the in-betweens. Seeing as this might effect overall aquarium lighting, and advise, I am seeing if I can also do this budget friendly for people just getting started, and see how close I can get. We will see.

something else, I don't think it would, but I wonder if the lighting in general would effect the bacteria of the nitrogen cycle or not. I know certain conditions such as heat, and if not mistaken I need to look it up, light effect the growth of certain bacteria.

 

If you ebay it you'll find all sorts of leds both brands and DIY. The truelumen's from current are offered in 3-led arrays which is what I'm using for the moonlight phases. or if your good at soldering it's not as hard as one thinks.

Just patience

When you DIY you can get more creative creating some very stunning visuals and benefits. Like creating a 3-d scape with highlights. So rather than a straight line of lights, or a spot, you can target areas using groups with them as well.

 

When you DIY you can get more creative creating some very stunning visuals and benefits. Like creating a 3-d scape with highlights. So rather than a straight line of lights, or a spot, you can target areas using groups with them as well.

yeah, I am going to look more into it. Doing white lighting first gives me 4 weeks that is enough time to composite lighting. Unless the test is cut short due to severe stress on fish and or plants.

I have all of it set up, I will begin in the morning, and post observations, goals excreta.

@daido

 

Wow, never though about it but this is turning into one hot topic.

My goal was to create a fully natural as possible freshwater tank yet remain creative and yes, out of the box.

As stated my experience is more with water ponds and have played with aquariums in my youth. It wasn't until my wife looked at my bare 55 gallon that this adventure started.

So, many of you have seen how this began and if not I invite you to read my other thread dedicated to the O2A tank.

O2A began as a fantasy based on the influence of yes, the wife - She loves Avatar. So during this build and tinkering over the months it came to me that it still was missing something, a more natural flow and yes, bio-rhythm that is created by our natural world. So thus began the exploration of lights. Little did I know how big of a debat this is around the world but that was not the intention, my intention was to basically prove to myself that my common sense was right, even if the theroies and common logic used in this hobby suggested otherwise, for me it was to as stated prove to myself.

So. Day Five (No where as elaborate as @ of which I'm quite impressed with)

Wemo circuit has successfully cycled 2 times based on actual sunrise/sunset for the last two days.

Observation: Nocturnal activity is active where before most inhabitants scattered to hide as their systems slowed down where I also believe that in total blackness this paleout is a normality due to no metabolic stimulI from light sources. The belkin netcam is set for motion trigger and was able to observe without being present so this was more natural then with my presence (their a bunch of manipulators lol). 1st evening was sorta of exploration but last night I observed something very wonderful. My GDR came closer together as if they were bedding down for the evening. Prior to this light setup with control and moonlight additions they we're not found to do this, but rather lethargic seemingly floating almost or hiding. Same for the neons and they not only showed lethargic, but also color loss as their was no ambient light mode.

This morning I hooked into the netcam 15 mins prior to lights coming on and already there was a sort of awakening activity but no color loss noticed other than the odd tetra that had spent a night in the cave structures. As the daylight mode flipped on (no ramp up and believe it would be even better with such an option) there was no scattering about of the community and seemed very at ease and peaceful.

March 23rd, 2015
Summery after 5 Days:

Plant growth is seeming to be more deeper of coloration. Inhabitants seem less stressed and more at ease even when I'm physically present. My GDR's have become quite curious when I'm about which shows me that their at ease with me and yes, their cute as .

 

I need to work on something for 24 hour surveillance. I am just trying to cover all possible basis. I do like that you are starting to experience some unity with your fish however.

 

I need to work on something for 24 hour surveillance. I am just trying to cover all possible basis. I do like that you are starting to experience some unity with your fish however.

Belkin netcam was the easy option for me. But one could use almost any pc camera. What I like about the netcam is it gives me quick access at anytime via my cell or pc desktop. Foscam has a number of ip cameras as does ebay where you can get some cheapies. Best part with an ip camera is less overhead and works with most viewing software.

 

I might just set that up, in the mean time I could always use my laptops webcam, the quality is just not that good, bit it is a good stopover until I can get a better one.

 

Match 24th, 7:43AM

While in the fishroom last night the wife made comment as she though their colors were more vibrant. She has a favorite Neon that got a tail snipped on top and has grown back (was like this from the LFS) and as stated she felt he/she seem more interactive and colorful. He was somewhat of a loner of the group and now that I think about she is right.

Spent a good deal of time watching during the moonlight and found that the different species kept closer together rather then scattered. What I also detected was how some go towards the shadows or caves later on during the evening. While not as active, there is nocturnal activity which seems quite normal for all. No signs of stress other than Chico snubbing me...jealous maybe because I'm spending more time with the others lol. I did pickup on more babytear growth and imo colors seemed a little deeper green.

Ramses & Nefertiti
Tank O2A
(Golden Dwarf Rams)




Chico showing attitude
Tank Chico's Paradise




Some O2A community tag & follow

 

It makes since for the other fish that are not as active during the night toseek resting spots, this however seems a more natural behavior.

 

Hey @anglebear What's the specs of the lights your currently using?

Here's how my tank is setup for lights;

55G Long
Current LED is tuned to the planted tank. It is 2K lumen & 6500k color temp and is 3 inches from water surface running the middle of the tank.

Truelumen LED (3 Led arrays) Actinic's (2) Each are at the back edge of the tank. 1 left, 1 right 3 inches above water line.
The lunar moon (12000k) is 3 inches from the front and 3 inches about waterline.

Timer: Sunrise/Sunset

Now with my setup even with night mode as we see in the pictures but there is also a great deal of darkness and shadows which is created due to the setup I created with hanging rocks and such. When night mode flips within a few hours their is a bout a 1.5 degree temp drop which is normally as the large array is off and less radiant heat. This in my opinion is normal as its this also happens when the sun goes down.

Now, for my betta tank, this led uses both White 6500k and true Actinic for daymode with only pure actinic for night mode. This is running on a 10 hour(day)/14 hour (night) and water tests are perfect, plants are responding well as you can see in the photo with Chico and there is a little algae which is good for the cleanup crew. Nothing that distraughts the tank though (no blooms) and if it does, well I pick it or bring out big bertha when doing a partial water change. So my question in regards to the lights your using for one of the tests which seeing as it's running 12/12 this may be the affects as it's not a true bio-rhythm. In my opinion I believe even fish sense this by instinct. Like may humans the sunrise/sunset affects everything about us. Not enough light we become cranky, mixed up, depressive and even lethargic (SAD) Seasonal Affective Disorder which is more seen here up north.

 

Hey @anglebear What's the specs of the lights your currently using?

Here's how my tank is setup for lights;

55G Long
Current LED is tuned to the planted tank. It is 2K lumen & 6500k color temp and is 3 inches from water surface running the middle of the tank.

Truelumen LED (3 Led arrays) Actinic's (2) Each are at the back edge of the tank. 1 left, 1 right 3 inches above water line.
The lunar moon (12000k) is 3 inches from the front and 3 inches about waterline.

Timer: Sunrise/Sunset

Now with my setup even with night mode as we see in the pictures but there is also a great deal of darkness and shadows which is created due to the setup I created with hanging rocks and such. When night mode flips within a few hours their is a bout a 1.5 degree temp drop which is normally as the large array is off and less radiant heat. This in my opinion is normal as its this also happens when the sun goes down.

Now, for my betta tank, this led uses both White 6500k and true Actinic for daymode with only pure actinic for night mode. This is running on a 10 hour(day)/14 hour (night) and water tests are perfect, plants are responding well as you can see in the photo with Chico and there is a little algae which is good for the cleanup crew. Nothing that distraughts the tank though (no blooms) and if it does, well I pick it or bring out big bertha when doing a partial water change. So my question in regards to the lights your using for one of the tests which seeing as it's running 12/12 this may be the affects as it's not a true bio-rhythm. In my opinion I believe even fish sense this by instinct. Like may humans the sunrise/sunset affects everything about us. Not enough light we become cranky, mixed up, depressive and even lethargic (SAD) Seasonal Affective Disorder which is more seen here up north.

Right, I actually got this notice on my phone, so I can give you better specs when home. I have the box. This is my combo fluorescent/led test. I actually predicted some of the behavior, but I wanted a documented basis for the rest of the study. I actually have a theory that when under stress that fish produce more ammonia which might also explain the spike I had this morning. There's no decaying food or plant matter, so its lighting, or stress. I am researching more into this as well. I am actually on my way home now, so if you can wait about fifteen minutes I can answer your other question accurately.

 

Sure can Angelbear

One thing about flo that many of us don't take notice about is the frequency that is created by these lights. Sometimes we can hear the 60hz spending when the ballasts start to go. From studies performed on humans it was noted that these lights can increase anxiety, headaches and stress where when a more natural light was introduced, not only did these side affects disappear but they in fact became more productive. Just a thought.

 

@Daido

okay lighting. The exact name of the fluorescent bulb I am using in the the first leg which is the combined led and fluorescents is the Aqueon 50/50 Aquarian Lamp. It is a minI compact bulb and is 10 watts. It says in the back
50% 10,000K daylight and 50% true actinic blue light. It is a combined bulb and buts out both for better photosynthesis in plants and corals for small tanks. In this first test the bulb is on 24 hours. Later in I will ,combine this with just a cool blue LED at night. I am looking into models that will fit my tank. I have a few I am leaning towards but will have to wait till my next pay check. One if the brands is remote control and has an auto dimming feature for both daylight led and moonlight

Sure can Angelbear

One thing about flo that many of us don't take notice about is the frequency that is created by these lights. Sometimes we can hear the 60hz spending when the ballasts start to go. From studies performed on humans it was noted that these lights can increase anxiety, headaches and stress where when a more natural light was introduced, not only did these side affects disappear but they in fact became more productive. Just a thought.

you have a point, and if it is the case. Then these results will show a marked decrease when switched to daylight led/moonlight led. Which will also prove led is the way to go for happier fish/plants.

 

March 27th, 7am

As each day goes by I am seeing subtle changes to the community, more at ease as lights come on/go off. Lights are following exact sunrise/sunset polled daily. Little string algae present, but manageable and is not a bloom or impeding function of the tank.

Below is a picture showing "Big Bertha" my DIY Co2 that's picked up by the outflow.




@ I've been pondering something and would like your thoughts on this. When you look at the full photo of this tank, look to the far left cave structure. This in fact was to be a waterfall but after a few trials I was not happy with it so it ended up as it is now which is a great cavern structure if you could see it from the inside. I would like to put a small outflow inside that would push out a subtle current as if an underwater river using a 260G inline pump and inserting my DIY Co2 for even finer diffusion and reactor. This would layout a carpet effect of Co2 dispersion carrying across the tank. I believe the current would also add another natural affect using the cave structure whereby flushing out buildup towards the filter. What's your thoughts?

 

theoretically it sounds like it could work. Just a thought could fish get into the cavern. I would be concerned if they could with the initial co2 build up before it dispersed via the current out of the opening. Does that make since?

@daido