Automatic light dimmer - need help!

[Alex Brown]

Hi, I want to build an automatic light dimmer for my fish tank lights, so that in the morning they turn on and brighten up over a few hours, and in the evening do the reverse.

I am running what we call, T5 lights. I have 4, on 2 seperate plugs (2 on each AC plug). These are 156w total.

34 39w Power-Glo

I have found this unit, but you have to manually flick a switch to set the reverse. I want to build a dimmer unit that I never have to touch.

**broken link removed**

Thanks, Alex.

 

[Menticol]

Hi, I want to build an automatic light dimmer for my fish tank lights, so that in the morning they turn on and brighten up over a few hours, and in the evening do the reverse.

I am running what we call, T5 lights. I have 4, on 2 seperate plugs (2 on each AC plug). These are 156w total.

34 39w Power-Glo

I have found this unit, but you have to manually flick a switch to set the reverse. I want to build a dimmer unit that I never have to touch.

**broken link removed**

Thanks, Alex.

For your fish safety if better if you buy an already made electronic timer, you can program the time and day of week to turn ON /OFF the lights and forget about it

 

[Willbe]

Hi, I want to build an automatic light dimmer for my fish tank lights, so that in the morning they turn on and brighten up over a few hours, and in the evening do the reverse.

I want to build a dimmer unit that I never have to touch.

If these tube lights are dimmable, a triac and a photosensor should do it. I wouldn't use a comparator. There are several threads dealing with this issue.

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Hi,

electronics aside.

Dimming the lights will probably change the colour spectrum, have you considered that and is it desireable. Certain plant types coral types etc. require a specific ligh spectrum for optimal growth.

I see the lights are for a marine tank, my knowledge is limited to a tropical tank where i know the change in spectrum will severely alter plant growth.


Cheers
Andrew