A few specific questions

[sexyNjig]

hey guys.. new on this forum. I know all salt water fish and corals through many friends who set up tanks. But i do have a few unanswered questions....

1. I'm using an 18 inch black light on my 46 gallon bow front. And the stuff light up nice. My candy coral, my mushrooms, etc. I don't wanna spend the extra cash on a blue LED light. Is my blacklight pretty much the same?? what's the negs and positives of Blue moon and just plain old black??

2. Recently i've seen something growing on my rock. First i thought it was a feather duster. But recently I beg to differ. It is a small (1/2 inch) tube looking thing. Small hole. It looks like the tube is made of sand. At night time, white LONG looking hairs come out (like up to 6 inches) and move around. I was afraid it might be harmful. Would take a picture, but too small. Any idea what it is?

 

[Navarre]

NOt sure what a blacklight is. IM fromthe UK so perhaps this is a different name for smething we use over here.

As for the critter.. it sounds like it could be a spagetti worm. Nothing to worry about, completely harmless and a good thing to have in your tank. Shows that things are healthy and working well.

 

[sexyNjig]

well a blacklight are used in clubs or to make things glow in the dark. Anything white or florescent usually is really bright with black light. People use it to check for cum stains on their sheets and stuff. I use it on my tank and things glow VERY nicely...
thanx for the reply!

 

[Navarre]

Ah you mean an Actinic
Is this tube made specifically for aquariums or is it a tube that has been designed fomr something else?

If its not made for aquariums then it might be giving out harmful UV radiation as this is close to the UV end of the light spectrum.
"Blue" light will penetrate deeper into water than "red" light. This is one of the reasons that Actinics are used because they can penetrate deeper into bodies of water. They are also great for showing off the colours of fish and corals and its very pleasing to the eye when we view things under actinic light. However, these lights are not enough by themselves as they dont give off the corect light in graet enough quantities for corals to live on.
They are usually used to add a "Dawn" and "Dusk" lighting period before the maintanks go on.

 

[hyrookin]

hey I just wanted to add that the black light used in clubs is definitely
not the same as an actinic light.although I am not positive, there is not a
beneficial spectrum in black light-a chemical produces the effect of white
or light clothing glowing-you may want to do more research on them before
continuing to use it in your tank-everything may seem fine now-but it could
be months before you realize there has been a negative effect-and then it
may be too late.

 

[spanair]

The darklight is the UV lights, they use it to check fake money, and also in clubs where white shirts glow like mad etc.... Atinic is totally different and blue. The UV/darklight is pretty much black/purple in colour and harldy gives any light out.

 

[Navarre]

SOrry i didnt make myself clear. I dont go to clubs so dont know much about these black lights etc.. An actiinic was the closest thing i could think of that is closest to that spectrum. An actinic is closer to the UV spectrum that was all. My warning still stands though as Hyrookin has said. Unless its specifically for aquarium use then be careful. UV light is very harmful (hence why sps corals change colour in high sunligh cos they protect themselves.) If this is a pure UV light then it might well be dangerous.

 

[bgraber]

Seen this discussed elsewhere.. Search reefcentral.com for blacklight.
They don't give off enough UV to harm anything. Although many animals see UV so there might be some distrubance. Shouldn't be a big deal. Although I'd go for the Blue LEDS(have them installed). Search that same site for "moonlight" or DIY moonlights. You can put one together very inexpensively..

 

[Navarre]

I have a set of blue LEDs above my reef. It gives a far more natural look to it as the moonlight glitter effects under the spotlights are very convincing.