I set up a cold cathode moonlight over my 120 tank.
It's a cold cathode light, used for lighting inside computer cases, by those who are mod crazy. I had one kicking around, that I had used a LONG time ago, before I got sick of case modding.
I made a reflector out of a length of 1.5" pvc, which I split down the middle, getting a 180 degree reflector.
I figured I'd go one step further, and make it "parabolic" by cutting a piece of coathanger that would run down the length, and glueing it on before gluing on the alluminum foil. I painted the PVC black to math my light fixture.
here's the finished reflector:
I quite like the look of it on the side of the tank. It gives a "moon just came up" effect, which I haven't really seen on a tank before.
Here's the light over the tank:
If you're wondering, You can get the cold cathode light at The Source for only $15, which isn't a bad price. sku: 261-1218
I'm using a 4.5V 500mah power adapter. If you need something brighter for your own tank, run a higher milliamperage.
Note: that photo was at F22, 120 second exposure.
That's the actual brightness of the light, when you just flick off the room's lights, and your eyes haven't addapted to the light yet. After looking at it for about 10 seconds, your eyes adjust, and you can kind of start to see things in the dark areas.
Overall, I like cold cathode moonlights, since they're not a point source light. I had used LED moonlights before, and they're too focused, and don't look natural. And I'm sure the animals don't like them running ALL night, if you time your lights that way.
Oh, and a tip. if you go to a source store, ask them if they have a "junk box in the back" with power adapters you could buy a power adapter from. You might get a power adapter for $2 instead of $25
look for a really messy store. they'll have junk boxes
