Night light for Planted Aquarias

[Nicky]

There has been discussion here talking about creating different dusk, mid-day and dawn lighting effect.
Has anyone tried the night light effect on planted aquarias?

The night lighting is common in the marine community. They use blue-color I think because at night any limited light in the sea makes everything looks blue.
I have never dive in a fresh water area with plants, but I supposed fresh water plants probably thrives at shallow water.
As such if we want to, we should be using low-wattage white light as night light to similate moon-light, right?

What do you people think?

[Nicky]

Forgot to add that one problem I faced with my setup is that, from time-to-time, fishes commit suicide (jumping off the braceless tank) when the lights are switched off after the photo period. This is especially so when the house is dark because no one is at home.

Having the night light will probably reduce such suicidal move. Right?

[Justikanz]

Low wattage white lights might still be too bright... What about white LEDs mounted at a certain corner?

Yes, adding some light of intermediate brightness to go on before the tank lights are switched off and to go for some time before it also switches off should prevent the fish suicides. The fish won't be startled by the sudden switch to darkness...

But I think it might be good not to have the simulated moonlight to be switched on every night... Think will be rather disturbing to some fish...

My 2 cents...

[solonavi]

ATI have those dimmable T5 light set to simulate dawn and dusk. For night light, I suppose LEDS will be gd enough to add as moonlight.

Cheers
JC

[BFG]

Forgot to add that one problem I faced with my setup is that, from time-to-time, fishes commit suicide (jumping off the braceless tank) when the lights are switched off after the photo period. This is especially so when the house is dark because no one is at home.

Having the night light will probably reduce such suicidal move. Right?

It depend on what type of fish you were keeping at that time. Some fishes like the Hatchet are 'carpet surfer' and easily frightened and would require some sort of cover for the tank. But it may depend on luck too.