DIY Moon light

[Goshawk]

So I've been spreading rumors that there is a way to "make" a moonlight for your aquarium. Well these rumors are true. So I'm finally getting off my fat lazy bum to do a right up.

So the supplies you need is

1-10 LED blue night lights (Pics coming later)
1-10 Extension cords (The same amount as Night lights)
Hot glue gun
Hot glue stick
Tape (Optional)
And some $$$

So what you need first is to go to your local wal-mart and pick up your night lights and extension cords.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/MegaSWFan/IMG_0426.jpg

After come home from wally world unpack your night lights and extension cord. Plug them into your extension cords and put tape over the light sensor (optional) and find the place you want to mount your lights.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/MegaSWFan/IMG_0445.jpg

NOTE: For all you natures window and all glass owners I don't know if this will work.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/MegaSWFan/IMG_0435.jpg

This edge is smaller on perfecto brand then all glass and natures window and the edge will cover the diode and will not shine in the tank.

[Goshawk]

So once you have that figured out, glue them to where ever you've chosen to mount them.


http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/MegaSWFan/IMG_0422.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/MegaSWFan/IMG_0446.jpgOnce

When thats done, reap the rewards

Before
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/MegaSWFan/IMG_0432.jpg

After
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/MegaSWFan/IMG_0331.jpg

[Drumachine09]

Pretty cool! Nice work.

[cocoa_pleco]

cool! if my lights didnt already have moonlights built in i would make some

[Futureboy]

nice effect ive made moonlights for 2 of my tanks aswell

i did it differantly though i got a car underdash neon set and just connected it up to a 12v adapter with abit of wiring knowledge you can make up some nice set ups with plain leds which would look alot neater then having 10 extension cords

also you put tape over your senser? surly it would be smarter to have just left it off so it turns on automaticly and isnt running all the time wasting power during the day

[Goshawk]

nice effect ive made moonlights for 2 of my tanks aswell

i did it differantly though i got a car underdash neon set and just connected it up to a 12v adapter with abit of wiring knowledge you can make up some nice set ups with plain leds which would look alot neater then having 10 extension cords

also you put tape over your senser? surly it would be smarter to have just left it off so it turns on automaticly and isnt running all the time wasting power during the day

I was sort of joking around with the amount of moonlights. 2 effectively lights my 36" tank and I think it would work good for a 48" tank anything bigger then that your going to have to run 3 unless you want a spotlight effect.

The reason I posted this is not everyone wants to mess around with soulder and have the skills to wire it or buy it on the internet when you can just go down to your local wally world and "make" one for $8.

The reason I put tape over mine is that way they are on when your lights are on and in the morning you just unplug them and turn you main light on. Thats why I said it was optional.

[cabrego]

Good deal, I just bought some materials to make moonlights, I am using your method for my 90 gallon, and i am using the neon strip method for my 125 gallon. I will probably post some pictures sometime later.

I am trying to figure out where and how I am going to mount the lights in each case. Did you use glue for this one?

[Arkie]

ok im sure this is a really silly question but why do you use moonlights in your tanks? they look really good and i think id prefer that in my room at night instead of my "normal" tank light , but just curious as to the reasoning behind them?

[cocoa_pleco]

moonlights look cool at night, its a way of seeing your fish without harming their sleep patterns

it also mimics nature, wild caught fish like my yellow tang enjoy it

[Nick89]

Thats pretty cool.

[siymdapolio]

yup :D looking into to getting this but also new light fixtures come with moonlights as well.

[siymdapolio]

yup :D looking into to getting this but also new light fixtures come with moonlights as well.

[Ryuu]

awesome, ima make some lol

[Tigerbarb]

I am gonna do that. Though.. what can I use to mount the light up?

[xoolooxunny]

awesome plan, i want moonlights, although i might buy a fixture with them built in when i upgrade my lighting this summer

[ncbuckeye]

My turn next. I love em good job.

[teach]

I have to thank Goshawk for this idea I tried it last night and it works great. Thanks again.

[Drip Loop]

I think I may try this but I would prefer not to use glue. That seems to permanent to me. I figure at some point I will either want to move them or have to replace them. I may try silicone since I know I can remove that if needed later.

[intoxination]

I read this and it seemed like such a great tip that I ran to my local Wal-mart to get the lights. Only problem? My Wal-mart sells only 1 blue night light that is decorative and costs $10. So I got poking around automotive and found some fake car neon lights. They are actually blue LED lights to simulate neon. The strips are about 12" in size with double stick tape on them. They fit perfectly in my light housings on my 55g. I had an old plugin 12v transformer I used to power them (though you could pick one up at Wal-Mart of Radio Shack if need be). Now I got nice lunar lights.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/2785294611_82a4cee3b8.jpg

Larger size here (http://flickr.com/photos/intoxination/2785294611/sizes/m/)

Note - it's not really that bright. That was done with about a 4 second exposure, but it still lights up rather nicely.

[fishloverforever]

Good tips you've mention here. Will try to make moonlight some day :)
Thanks

[Northernguy]

These are mine.I went to a hardware store and picked up 2 pull chain light fixtures and 2 blue Noma light bulbs.cost me 12 bucks for both tanks.I wired two old cords off dead pumps and screwed them into my canopies.It took 20 minutes.I love it!!!

[calix10]

sweeeeeeet very very easy. Another great idea thanks a lot

[UNCLE RUCKUS]

i love it! im gonna give it a shot!:1luvu:

[AABatteries]

I think I might try make a custom in-hood moonlight for my 20g.

[Northernguy]

It really is not difficult no matter which method you choose. You will be glad you did ,especially if you are up later than your tank lights.:c3:

[AABatteries]

Right now I have a fiber-opic lamp that sits about 4 or 5 feet away from my 20g that doubles as a night light and moon light. But actual moon lights would probably be better.