Using a red fluorescent light as a moon light

At the moment I do not have a moon light but I really want to be able to view some of the nocturnal critters around the tank. So with that said, I own a red fluorescent light (one of those lights you'd pick up at Spencers or some party store) and was wondering if that could be used for night time viewing?

While we're at it, I also have black lights and from what I've read it looks really cool but it can hurt the eyes of the fish in the tank. Is that true?

Thanks!

 

Red lighting is better to use more like a flashlight rather than moonlights that are run all night. Red spectrum promotes rapid algae growth, so I would try to shy away from red moonlights personally. That being said, other than possible algae problems, there is no risk with red lights.
But yes, the black lighting can cause horrible effects on fish. Blindness is just one. Cancer is the other. Do NOT use black lights on an aquarium.

 

Ok good to know. Thank You!

 

Yikes!!!

 

To cause blindness you'll need more blacklight then a normal florescent tube can produce, even over great lengths of time. Blacklights mainly emit UVA but in small amounts. Now if you had a Blacklight "projector" (couple thousand watts) then I'd be worried or one designed to emit more UVA. You can't get cancer from normal blacklights, nor can your fish.

 

FWIW I used to run a blacklight business for clubs and events. I also rented BL projectors which are commonly used at concerts, theaters and TV/movies. After over a decade of contact I nor any of my friends are blind or have cancer.