LED Moonlight Lunar Phase Timer / Controller??

DoodleFish

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So a long time ago - maybe the late 90's ... my first saltwater tank was a NanoCube 24. I remember adding a 6 light strip of blue LEDs to that tank for moonlights, and found a small timer / controller that would replicate lunar phases. It was small, just required plugging a power adapter for the LED strip in one side, and the LEDs into the other side of it. Set the day of the lunar cycle (1-29) and the current time of the day, and it did the rest. Super easy.

Now, I'm about 3 months into my new BioCube 32 tank, and would like to do the same thing, but I can't find a Moonlight / Lunar Phase controller / timer. Anyone have any ideas??

It seems like the only way to do it these days is to invest in some really expensive light systems that have that functionality built in, which I don't want to do. I just want to add a strip of 6 blue LEDs under the splash guard, and attach it to a little controller. Any ideas or links to products would be very much appreciated!!
 
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DoodleFish

DoodleFish

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Found this on Amazon - looks like it does exactly what I was looking for. It's expensive - and shipping is going to take awhile because it looks like it's coming from a third party located in Europe. But I've got my fingers crossed that this will work!

Shipping says it will be delivered between Nov 25 - Dec 17. I'll report back after I receive it.
 

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DoodleFish

DoodleFish

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Just got notice from the Amazon Marketplace 3rd Party Seller - (I'm paraphrasing ...) - "Ooops! We don't have that in inventory. Sorry, refunding your money now!"

Back to square one!
 

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Did you ever find anything? I’m looking to add one so please post if you find anything
 
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DoodleFish

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I have not had any luck finding something like this. It seems like the only option is to rip the hood off of my BioCube32 and replace it with some very expensive LEDs, or do that Steve's LEDs turbo upgrade to the hood. Neither of those is going to happen!

Sure seems like there is potential for someone to make some money here, who knows how to program and build timers.

I'm still looking - just haven't found anything yet!!
 
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DoodleFish

DoodleFish

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I do not have an Apex controller - using Hydros on my BioCube32.

I want to keep the hood intact - was looking to add a small strip of blue LEDs to act as moonlights under the splash guard, but want a moon phase timer for those before I install them under the splash guard.

As far as my budget for this - I was willing to spend about $150 on that SERA timer above from Amazon. I'm remembering from my original Nanocube - the moonlight timer I had on that tank was about $25.
 
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DoodleFish

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Just found a website in Europe - pet4you.net - that has the SERA LED Moonlight Kit in stock. Placed an order - got confirmation for the order - we'll see if it actually gets shipped now! $79.54 shipped.
 
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DoodleFish

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Received the SERA LED Moonlight Kit today - it does EXACTLY what I was looking for in a lunar timer! I don't have time to get it installed inside of the hood on my BioCube32 - I might just mount the LED tube that was included on the side of the tank for now - and when I get time I'll install the blue LED strip I have under the splash guard while I'm off for Christmas Vacation next week.
 
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DoodleFish

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Not sure what I was thinking above ... there was NO WAY I was going to wait even a week to get that installed! During my lunch break, I got the LED strip installed behind the splash guard, cord routed and siliconed in place, everything is setup and running, took less than 30 minutes - will see tonight if it works as expected.
 
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DoodleFish

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The SERA LED Moonlight kit is working perfectly!

EXACTLY what I was looking for. I did not use the LED tube included in the kit, used a 6 LED strip I bought off of eBay - just connect the power supply for the LED strip to the timer using a standard LED barrel connector, connect the output from the time to the LEDs. Simple and easy!

It's only been a few nights, but I already noticed last night that the LEDs weren't as bright as the first night, so it is definitely ramping down the brightness every night.
 

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