black light on coral Q's

Discussion in 'Reef Lighting' started by 1.0reef, Apr 23, 2011.

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  1. 1.0reef

    1.0reef Giant Squid

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    will black lights help coral grow or just color them up? i was thinking of making a frag tank out of a plastic container a powerhead and a light plus a filter;D TIA!;D
     
    1.0reef, Apr 23, 2011
    1.0reef, Apr 23, 2011
    #1

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  2. gabbagabbawill

    gabbagabbawill Pajama Cardinal

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    it's not good for the health of inverts... it's the same thing as using a UV filter, but on your whole tank! :eek:

    Actinic bulbs do a good job of fluorescing corals, though!
     
    gabbagabbawill, Apr 23, 2011
    gabbagabbawill, Apr 23, 2011
    #2
  3. 1.0reef

    1.0reef Giant Squid

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    so they hurt/kill coral?
     
    1.0reef, Apr 23, 2011
    1.0reef, Apr 23, 2011
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  4. 1.0reef

    1.0reef Giant Squid

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    and would it hurt fish?
     
    1.0reef, Apr 23, 2011
    1.0reef, Apr 23, 2011
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  5. inwall75

    inwall75 Giant Squid

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    Yes, it will harm their eyesight. Prolonged exposure is dangerous to your eyes (and skin). Even animals that fluoresce under black light (i.e. scorpions) should only have limited exposure.
     
    inwall75, Apr 23, 2011
    inwall75, Apr 23, 2011
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  6. 1.0reef

    1.0reef Giant Squid

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    o.k. i never knew it could harm me because the person gave it to me because it didn't work properly.
     
    1.0reef, Apr 23, 2011
    1.0reef, Apr 23, 2011
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  7. inwall75

    inwall75 Giant Squid

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    Well, the key words are PROLONGED EXPOSURE. If you wanted to look at your tank under a black light for several minutes, it's not going to harm your nor your tank inhabitants
     
    inwall75, Apr 23, 2011
    inwall75, Apr 23, 2011
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  8. 1.0reef

    1.0reef Giant Squid

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    it would be weird if you looked at the light and instantly got shocked that would suck:p. how long does it take for it to hurt you?
     
    1.0reef, Apr 23, 2011
    1.0reef, Apr 23, 2011
    #8
  9. gabbagabbawill

    gabbagabbawill Pajama Cardinal

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    gabbagabbawill, Apr 23, 2011
    gabbagabbawill, Apr 23, 2011
    #9
  10. Dingo

    Dingo Giant Squid

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    the wavelengths actually damage the DNA of all organisms (including yourself)
    most commonly they create a thing called a thymine dimer which fuses two adjacent thymine peptides together. this prevents replication of DNA and causes cells to either produce mutated amino acids or else not replicate and die.
     
    Dingo, Apr 24, 2011
    Dingo, Apr 24, 2011
    #10
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