Got my new light in. I was tricked.

got my new lights in today. They're not what they claimed.

Current USA Nova Extreme T5HO - 10K / 460nm Actinic Light Fixtures

I got the 4x54.

They don't have any lunar lights. I called Pet Mountain. Turns out only the 8x54 have them now. Apparently this is a new way of doing it by Current USA and Pet Mountain wasn't even aware of it until I told them.

They seem willing to work with me on this, but I had spent time figuring out those were what I wanted... So now I have no idea.

They suggested SunDial T5HO | Current What's Next but as far as I can tell there is no way to put these lunar lights on a timer and I'd have to manually turn them off every day - that's not what I want to do.

Any other suggestions out there? I am so disappointed and all my excitement just went out the window.

BOO

I don't have a canopy or anything - so the integrated lights really appeal to me. That's still what I want . . .

 

Isn't there some 1 watt lunar lights that coralife offers?

Couldn't you put them on a timer?

 

Can I ask, why do you have to turn off the lunar lights? I honestly leave mine on, then just run my T5's and MH on timers/switches. The lunars are not even close to bright enough to affect anything with my T5's or MH on. The lunar's are LED, so you'll get around 100,000 hours out of the bulbs, plus they draw next to nothing power-wise.
If its what you want, and thats the only thing stopping you, then I'd say go for it.

 

I too leave my lunar lights on all the time. 12 LED's over a 180 and it doesn't hurt anything.

 

I read in another thread on 3reef that lunar lights on all night sometimes keep the fishies awake or may stress them out.

That's the only reason I have for turning them off - fish stress.

Can anyone comment on the SunDial that was suggested by Pet Mountain?
It has built in timers and only one power cable.

I guess I'm worried that having the timers built in are more pieces that have potential to break . . . also *slightly* concerned on the implications of having only one power cord (does that mean only 1 ballast?).

I didn't want to swap with those until after I conferred with you, my 3reef friends.

 

Yea I read that other thread to and I don't believe a bit of it. Think about the natural reef. Under a full moon it's pretty bright. Now if your moon lights are so bright you can read by them then shut them off. Most people don't have one's that bright though.

Besides, what difference does it make if their on all night or for 4 hours??? If the fish are stressed and being kept up it's going to get them either way...

Not to mention in their natural environment the fish have much more to stress about at night...

How about a white tipped shark???

 

I reviewed the Sundial and was going to get this unit before gettign the bigger tank, now Im going with the 8x54 with lunar.

Currently I leave my lunars on at night and off during the day. Doesnt stress anyone out at night as far as I can tell.

My only concern with leaving the Luners on all the time would be burning them out.

Cheers

 

My thoughts exactly. My lunars have been on for about 4 months now, and everything in my tank is as happy as can be. As far as them burning out, well I just did the math. LED's should last about 11.5 years if left on 24/7

 

I, personally would work with the retailer to come up with a solution that suits your need. I do not believe you whee Tricked as the thread title says and it was a unfortunate over sight by the retailer.

I to do not believe that lunar lights cause fish stress. I do how ever do not run they all the time. They have a life span and if you can stretch it as long as you can but only running them when you can see them then why not.
I only run mine for a couple of hours after the actinic go off

J

 

The retailer is definitely working with me! I just didn't want to take their advise any more than I'd take the LFS. I wanted to talk to ya'll first!

I don't honestly think I was tricked in a malicious way. I just think Current USA didn't communicate well with their retailers. What I meant by 'tricked' was I saw one picture on the website and something different in the box in my house. Now I have to swap and there's a price difference which is annoying. Though I don't think Pet Mountain is charging me for any of the make up shipping costs. I'm not blaming Pet Mountain for the mistake.

I was definitely tricked - but only from bad communication, not intentionally. Poe-tate-toe; Poe-tot-toe

I'm going to have them swap with the sun dial. It seems like lots of folks on 3reef have it and like it reading through the forums.