"Redline" neon tube 4 cars = actinic moonlight!!!

Aquabucket · 06/14/2006, 09:38 PM

Just thought I would share a nice little find that I picked up from an A-1 auto parts store. Next to the LEDs at the store there were some neon tubes so I took a chance and decided to give the 15" blue one a shot. It is made by a company called Redline. It set me back $25. I already had a 12 VDC wall adaptor at home to give it power.

The actinic effect is spectacular for being a neon bulb. My corals glow much more than I expected and the colors are vivid. By the time I put the light on the tank most of my zoos and LPS were closed up. Within 15 minutes or so of running the neon moonlight they started opening again. These bulbs must have some level of PAR value and look like a low intensity VHO actinic bulb but not nearly as purple. I need to borrow a camera to take some pics but we all know how well actinic pics turnout.

Since I used a wall adaptor that switches from 3 to 12 VDC (500 ma) I can change the intensity of the bulb. My orange-lined cardinals look really cool as they school at night looking for food.

If anyone has a few extra bucks you should definately try this excellent choice for a moonlight. I can't say enough about how surprised I was at how it looks on a reef tank!

I hope someone else trys one of these to verify my findings. They come in 4", 10", 15" and 36" sizes. If you throw a higher amped adaptor on it I am sure it would be even brighter although that may be too bright to utilize as a moonlight.

Danfish · 06/14/2006, 11:29 PM

Thanks for the tip.
This sounds like a winner, I was looking for something more "blacklight" for a moonlight anyways.

How fragile is it?
How do you have it mounted?

Aquabucket · 06/15/2006, 12:19 AM

It's not fragile at all. The neon tube is set inside an acrylic tube that has a substantial thickness. The set-up mounts with 2 screws on each end.

The the neon tubes are manufactured by a company called Quest.

I think Auto Barn carries them too.

boxfishpooalot · 06/15/2006, 04:41 AM

I have one lying around. It can even flash to the beat of music(lighting storm maybee). But how do you connect the adaptor? Just wire it to the light?

Are you sure that its safe to use one to increase the wattage? The plastic ends might melt. I know nothing of electricity. Please inform.

Aquabucket · 06/15/2006, 06:09 AM

Just snip off the lighter plug and connect the 2 wires. Make sure to match the wires properly or it won't work. Positive wires have a white stripe. Its pretty safe because of the low voltage from the adaptor. I would only use an adaptor that runs in the 500 ma to 1 amp range.

RichConley · 06/15/2006, 08:49 AM

Theyre not neon, theyre cold cathode, and theyre the same things as the ones people run in computer cases.

The computer ones are probably easier to use though, they come with those computer plugs on them.

IndyMatt · 06/15/2006, 08:55 AM

Would these melt next to halides?

Beastmaster · 06/15/2006, 09:30 AM

I have sen these used next to halides here in the UK and they give a pretty good moon-light effect on their own. They even give the glitter lines that you get with halides - surprising considering they are not a point light source. I'll definitely be investing in some of these soon - eBay seems full of them...

Aquabucket · 06/15/2006, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
Theyre not neon, theyre cold cathode, and theyre the same things as the ones people run in computer cases.

The computer ones are probably easier to use though, they come with those computer plugs on them.

Actually they would cost more and be much smaller in size. The car versions are pretty easy to install to begin with.

Kabong · 06/15/2006, 01:47 PM

I use one of the computer cold cathods over my 10G nano.
Its a pretty good effect for $5.

RichConley · 06/15/2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aquabucket
Actually they would cost more and be much smaller in size. The car versions are pretty easy to install to begin with.

You paid $25 for a 15" one. I paid $6 for 2 24" ones from a computer site, so they dont cost more, and no, they arent smaller.

Aquabucket · 06/15/2006, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
You paid $25 for a 15" one. I paid $6 for 2 24" ones from a computer site, so they dont cost more, and no, they arent smaller.

I guess you can't beat that. A high end computer store here wanted $12.99 for a 4" cathode but that was about a year ago.

Do the ones you have give off an actinic effect?

06/14/2006, 09:38 PM	#1
Aquabucket Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Green Bay, Wi. Posts: 4,455	"Redline" neon tube 4 cars = actinic moonlight!!! Just thought I would share a nice little find that I picked up from an A-1 auto parts store. Next to the LEDs at the store there were some neon tubes so I took a chance and decided to give the 15" blue one a shot. It is made by a company called Redline. It set me back $25. I already had a 12 VDC wall adaptor at home to give it power. The actinic effect is spectacular for being a neon bulb. My corals glow much more than I expected and the colors are vivid. By the time I put the light on the tank most of my zoos and LPS were closed up. Within 15 minutes or so of running the neon moonlight they started opening again. These bulbs must have some level of PAR value and look like a low intensity VHO actinic bulb but not nearly as purple. I need to borrow a camera to take some pics but we all know how well actinic pics turnout. Since I used a wall adaptor that switches from 3 to 12 VDC (500 ma) I can change the intensity of the bulb. My orange-lined cardinals look really cool as they school at night looking for food. If anyone has a few extra bucks you should definately try this excellent choice for a moonlight. I can't say enough about how surprised I was at how it looks on a reef tank! I hope someone else trys one of these to verify my findings. They come in 4", 10", 15" and 36" sizes. If you throw a higher amped adaptor on it I am sure it would be even brighter although that may be too bright to utilize as a moonlight. __________________ "Just a drop in the bucket"

06/15/2006, 12:19 AM	#3
Aquabucket Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Green Bay, Wi. Posts: 4,455	It's not fragile at all. The neon tube is set inside an acrylic tube that has a substantial thickness. The set-up mounts with 2 screws on each end. The the neon tubes are manufactured by a company called Quest. I think Auto Barn carries them too. __________________ "Just a drop in the bucket"

06/15/2006, 04:41 AM	#4
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	I have one lying around. It can even flash to the beat of music(lighting storm maybee). But how do you connect the adaptor? Just wire it to the light? Are you sure that its safe to use one to increase the wattage? The plastic ends might melt. I know nothing of electricity. Please inform. __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

06/15/2006, 06:09 AM	#5
Aquabucket Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Green Bay, Wi. Posts: 4,455	Just snip off the lighter plug and connect the 2 wires. Make sure to match the wires properly or it won't work. Positive wires have a white stripe. Its pretty safe because of the low voltage from the adaptor. I would only use an adaptor that runs in the 500 ma to 1 amp range. __________________ "Just a drop in the bucket"

06/15/2006, 08:49 AM	#6
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	Theyre not neon, theyre cold cathode, and theyre the same things as the ones people run in computer cases. The computer ones are probably easier to use though, they come with those computer plugs on them. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

06/14/2006, 11:29 PM	#2
Danfish Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 296	Thanks for the tip. This sounds like a winner, I was looking for something more "blacklight" for a moonlight anyways. How fragile is it? How do you have it mounted?

06/15/2006, 08:55 AM	#7
IndyMatt Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Indy Posts: 568	Would these melt next to halides?

06/15/2006, 09:30 AM	#8
Beastmaster Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 38	I have sen these used next to halides here in the UK and they give a pretty good moon-light effect on their own. They even give the glitter lines that you get with halides - surprising considering they are not a point light source. I'll definitely be investing in some of these soon - eBay seems full of them...

06/15/2006, 01:47 PM	#10
Kabong Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Brentwood Bay B.C. Posts: 454	I use one of the computer cold cathods over my 10G nano. Its a pretty good effect for $5.