Incandescent moonlight

[discuspro]

I'm wanting to use a small incandescent bulb maybe around 5 or 10 watts to make a diy dimmable moonlight. I know home depot has those dimmers that you can use to dim lights in a room but I don't know if they would work on a bulb that small.

Does anyone have an idea of how I could use a 5-10Watt bulb with a dimmer I could buy from a hardware store?

[caferacermike]

I'm just wondering why? You could just as easily go to Fry's and for about $15 get a cold cathode bulb, transformer and dimmer, ready to go. Plus the bulb won't be burning out from time to time.

[discuspro]

Okay, what kind of transformer and dimmer would work with those cold cathode bulbs? Also, how would you wire it? I've never used cold cathode bulbs.

Also, I was reading that moonlight is basically sunlight just less intense. So, I figured using a tungsten filament bulb like a 5W would do a decent job of replicating most of the natural moonlight spectrum. Also, it would be a smaller point light source rather than a long fluorescent type broad light source. Smaller source meaning similar how the moon looks like a dot rather than a line.

I've never used or even heard of cold cathode bulbs before. What color light do they produce and are they large bulbs?

[caferacermike]

They come ready to go for about $20. They sell them to fancy up computers or something. A lot of my friends use them as moonlights. You cand find them dirt cheap on Ebay. They are like mini neon tubes that run cool. You can get them in various sizes and a whole lot of colors. Blue better suited to replicate moonlight.

[rohnds]

IF you were to run a cold cathode, long do you have it running? All night?

What effect does the blue spectrum have on algae?

Rohn

[jc]

I tried the uv type cold cathode and I did not get any light in my tank. I have a 180 and the light did not penetrate to the bottom at all. I think you would do well with the blue light.

[erikharrison]

Discus go to Altex in Austin, I work at the one in san antonio, and I have some of them in my computer right now. Theyre around 10 dollars for a pair. Dont use the attached sticky pads, they suck, epoxy them. If needed, you can tell the guys there that you need to plug them into a standard plug, they should know what to use to make it happen. You may have to solder the adapter on, but its pretty easy. Anyone else know of anything better???

[markgsa]

Maybe try here. I've got some from here good stuff.

http://www.thelebos.com/

[erick]

Discus go to Altex in Austin, I work at the one in san antonio,

What are your hours? I live right up the street (In Converse---do you work at the IH35 or 281 loc?)and would like to come in and talk to you and have you help me get the right stuff, i want to try it out on my 30 and 50 before I put it on the 110.... Thnks Erick....

[SA-DSM]

Discus go to Altex in Austin, I work at the one in san antonio,

What are your hours? I live right up the street (In Converse---do you work at the IH35 or 281 loc?)and would like to come in and talk to you and have you help me get the right stuff, i want to try it out on my 30 and 50 before I put it on the 110.... Thnks Erick....

Same here.