Auto light levering ...

[zephyros]

helo ... another idea ... need comments

As we know that in this hobby, ppl r trying to simulate the actual

living conditions of the reef that the LS is living in. In terms of

lighting, we have idea like

- simulating dawn n dusk (eg dimmable light)

- simulating moonlight

- simulating sun position by moving the light fr 1 end 2 another

- etc

had anyone try to simulate the intensity of the sunlight throughout

the day. (not juz the dawn dusk type)

I am thinking of an automatic device that can lower and higher the

light pendant, fr higher to lower to higher. (see pic below)

The purpose is to simualte the light intensity that the LS is getting.

Pros

-----

1) more realistic living condition

2) less stressful for LS when turning on/off the light

Cons

-----

1) LS will not get as much light for growth???

Cheers

Zephyros

[zephyros]

frens ... wats the pros and cons.

where can find such device???

[blueheaven]

if snap ar, ur whole tank will be destroyed. lights spoil also. IMO too high a risk

[Achilles Tang]

No aquarium light including 1000w MH can simulate actual sunlight intensity.

It will be a waste of electricity to move light further away to simulate dawn and dusk.... IMO.

[zephyros]

haha ... another one into the dustbin

nebermind ... will keep thinking of stoopid idea

Zephyros

[Tanzy]

Keep it up. I like the way you think, but don't do it alone.

[KingFish]

Tanzy is absolutely right. Concept is ok, but may not be so practical and risks are high. A dimmer of sorts will be safer and more efficient.

Please do keep the concepts coming so we get on with some engaging discussions.

These days the topics are SOOooooo boring ...

[Tango_Liverock]

Quoted from Photosynthesis and Photoadaptation, by Sanjay Joshi

As a frame of reference, the amount of surface light on a coral reef is around 2000 µE/m2/sec, while that from a 175-watt metal halide bulb is about 200 µE/m2/sec

Mother nature comparison with a typical aquarium lighting.

The movement of the sun can be simulated to some extent through the use of light movers, which are available in the hydroponics gardening industry. Light movers that move light in a circular manner or linearly over rails may be used to provide the light variability throughout the day. However, given the fact that most home aquariums are less than 6 feet in length, the effect produced by moving the lights will not be as significant as in nature. Another approach that has been recently developed is the rotating aquarium (Gibbs 1998). Here, instead of rotating the lights, the aquarium is rotated along a central axis.

Another approach...

[Joe_P]

I am thinking of an automatic device that can lower and higher the

light pendant, fr higher to lower to higher. (see pic below)

The purpose is to simualte the light intensity that the LS is getting.

Pros

-----

1) more realistic living condition

2) less stressful for LS when turning on/off the light

Cons

-----

1) LS will not get as much light for growth???

Cheers

Zephyros

to simulate light intensity, you can simply jus add in more bulbs into your set up... with the bulbs working on different time settings

eg... instead of maybe 2 x 250W MHs, you can add in another set, with the second set timed on for a 2-3 hours to simulate the afternoon lighting....

The dimming of lights can be done by dimmable lightings control.... if you employ PLs or T5s...... These could be activated prior to the switching on/off of the MHs.... and later dimmed up/down to create the natural sunrise/sunset effect.....

Basically a setup of lots of bulbs and timers ......

[ervine]

The more mechanical parts the more likely it is to fail...

[nutx]

Previously, someone posted in SRC on an oversea forum posting on a set of lights that can swing, swift, and dimmable....very impressive.

but I couldn't locate that posting now.