night time viewing red light??????

[jbonez]

i would like to know of a good nighttime flashlight to look at all the little critters i have that i never see in my tankl. whats a good brand that works well.. thanks all

[briankmarsh1980]

I use a energizer 6 led headlamp I got for camping, it has 2 red leds on one setting, I use that for night watching on my tank. it was pretty cheap to.

[jbonez]

can you see all the lil critters at night? also where did you buy it

[kduen]

If you have a newer phone you can look for a color flashlight app. That's what I did and its free.

[jbonez]

lol my skim dont stink niether i wounder why?

[jbonez]

i have a bb torch

[briankmarsh1980]

I got it at walmart for like 16 bucks and yes you can see all the critters

[jbonez]

ok great thanks bro.. what arepeople on the site talking about when they post they are dosing there tanks with vodka?

[Crazed]

You can go to Lowe's and buy a cheap attachment for your MAGlite flashlight... it comes with three different lenses (green, white, and red) and gives you all the power of a MAGLite without more expense.

[jbonez]

o wow cool thanks...

[briankmarsh1980]

Vodka is an carbon source for lowering nutrients.

make sure you do a lot of research before attempting this.
here are a couple links
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php
http://www.saltwatermasters.com/arti...tamin-C-Dosing

[disc1]

Vodka dosing is a big subject. It might be worth a seperate post. Basically it breaks down like this. Bacteria and algae compete for available phosphate in the system. Both also need a carbon source. The algae gets carbon from CO2, but the heterotrophic bacteria can't do that. So in an attempt to give the bacteria a fighting chance to outcompete the algae for the phosphate, some people add sugar, vinegar, or ethanol (vodka). The bacteria use this for food. The net result is a lowering of phosphates and the disappearance of the algae.

It is not a subject to be taken lightly and requires a LOT of research to do it right. The downfall of carbon dosing is that if you get it wrong, you often end up with a bacterial bloom and stinky milky water.

[jbadd99]

I use a Streamlight LED light that I have for work. Very effective and the batteries last forever.

[Palting]

Arright, guys. I was reading this thread at work. So, on the way home today, dropped by Lowes. Checked out a giant row of flashlights, including MagLites. No red light/lens. Asked salesperson "Where can I get flashlight with red lens?" Not here, was the reply. Went to Walmart. Again, huge assortment of lights at the sports section. NOW I see flashlights and red lenses, and cap lights with red and white LED lights. Found a Black&Decker penlight. Very bright at 60 lumens LED, with red, green, and blue lenses that snap over the clear lens, a holster that holds everything, for $9.45. Brighter and cheaper than anything else. Bought it, and now just waiting for darkness .

[aandfsoccr04]

so how did it go!?!?

[jc-reef]

Originally Posted by Palting

Arright, guys. I was reading this thread at work. So, on the way home today, dropped by Lowes. Checked out a giant row of flashlights, including MagLites. No red light/lens. Asked salesperson "Where can I get flashlight with red lens?" Not here, was the reply. Went to Walmart. Again, huge assortment of lights at the sports section. NOW I see flashlights and red lenses, and cap lights with red and white LED lights. Found a Black&Decker penlight. Very bright at 60 lumens LED, with red, green, and blue lenses that snap over the clear lens, a holster that holds everything, for $9.45. Brighter and cheaper than anything else. Bought it, and now just waiting for darkness .

I know that near Christmas season most of the Depot stores will carry a large assortment of LED flashlights, which usually will be offered with red bulbs. I picked one up 2 seasons ago with the white/red combo. It is very cool to go 'night watching' with the red LED flashlights...very cool creatures are lurking within...

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[jbonez]

im gonna go pick one up today thanks guys..
man another issue is this dam diatom algae that brown stuff my tank has been up for a lil over 3 months im using ro/di that filters 75gpd its a typhoon 3 from air water & ice i know its gonna go away in time but i hate it

[jbonez]

why dont my skim water/foam stink???

[Palting]

Originally Posted by aandfsoccr04

so how did it go!?!?

Pretty cool!!

Mostly worms, shrimp, amphipods, copepods, all swimming around while the wrasse and the mandarin are sleeping. I've also apparently got a gazillion or so asterina stars. And I had quite forgotten how many members were in my CUC, as they were all out and about. The SPS polyp extensions were also amazing. I thought PE looked cool in the "daylight", but the SPS looked like really shaggy furry animals in the red light. The gowing ends also glowed bright pink/red. Pretty cool! Worth the $10 bucks including tax.

[aleonn]

Originally Posted by kduen

If you have a newer phone you can look for a color flashlight app. That's what I did and its free.

That's a good idea, didn't think about that!

[baws187]

I got the cheapest way to do this wrap red cellophane wrap around your existing flash light. Reynolds wrap makes a red wrap.

[iwishtofish]

Alright, so what does the red lens do? I know it's a way to preserve night vision in humans, but is it supposed to be less likely to freak out the nocturnal critters?

[jr_casteel1999]

i was using the light i have on the end of my gun. i has a red lens. but i shot a hole in my tank one night. so just stick with the flashlight. lol jk

[disc1]

Originally Posted by iwishtofish

Alright, so what does the red lens do? I know it's a way to preserve night vision in humans, but is it supposed to be less likely to freak out the nocturnal critters?

Red light doesn't penetrate very deep into water. So most marine animals don't see it. It is a good way to look at them without them knowing you're looking. So all the little night time critters don't run like cockroaches from the light.

[iwishtofish]

Originally Posted by disc1

Red light doesn't penetrate very deep into water. So most marine animals don't see it. It is a good way to look at them without them knowing you're looking. So all the little night time critters don't run like cockroaches from the light.

I understand, now - thanks!