Any advice or comments on lights?

[allgood]

Hello friendly pond folks,

I am helping with a workshop and the topic I have been selected to work
with is pond and water feature lighting. I am very interested in any
theories, successes, failures, and/or testimonials readers of this news
group can share.

In my experience most photographs of landscape lighting do a poor job of
communicating how nice a well lighted landscape scene can be. I think
that may be because a typcially successful lighting job may be a little
subtle for film. Without many slides to rely on I afraid I am going to
get to the "does anyone have any question?" too soon......

The group attending will probably include many experienced pond
contractors and vendors so any suggestions on how lights could be
improved upon will also be appropriate.

Thanks in advance,

Cla Allgood

Anyway, with a lack of slides

[brett rowley]

In article <3977C3...@hemc.net>,
allgood <all...@hemc.net> wrote:

Just a quick comment with respect to lighting a koi pool.

A buddy has a koi pond in his home, in an atrium. It gets some, but not much, natural light from a hole in the roof. The
hi (red parts of the koi) becomes week after the fish is in the pond some months. The problem was helped with the addition
of a high intensity, natural wavelength lamp right over the pond.

We use such natural wavelength fixtures at the koi farm for help in seeing the fish on cloudy days as they are sorted.

Brett

[Barry1]

I can tell you that I no longer
like underwater lighting!
Gets covered with algae
and looks bad in no time at
all.

--
Barry.. ********
www.anatometal.com

"allgood" <all...@hemc.net> wrote in message news:3977C3...@hemc.net...

[EM436]

The question of in-pond lighting raises another question about the need for
fish to have darkness to sleep. Do they? Is artificial light in (or around)
the pond harmful to them? In-pond lighting does make it easier for predators
to see them and, as Barry said, it is quickly covered with algae and it makes
the pond appear much dirtier than it may be.

Ed in Chicago

[Mosfunland]

I have two beckett lights that come off a transformer, one has blown its second
bulb, it is shattered, while the other lamp is just fine with it's original
bulb. I liked them,
just wipe off any "crud" from the cover once in a while, they light up nicely
at night. No idea why that bulb keeps blowing. I won't replace it, maybe the
unit it deficient. But they sure do look nice in the dark of night.

Maureen

[Cindy]

My underwater lights are on a timer so they go off at a reasonable time to give
the fish plenty of sleeping time. I love them!!! Makes the pond look so
pretty at night and since thats when we really get to sit out and enjoy the
pond the most it gives us more time to see and enjoy the fish.

One thing I have wondered about though is... during hot weather when the water
temps get high from the sun... do these lights being on at night also heat the
water??? Since they are underwater at the coolest depth of water, might not be
so good to have them on if they are heating the water at the place the fish can
find a lil coolness. So if they do indeed heat the water I may be selfish
using them for my own pleasure if they takes away from the pleasure of the fish
huh???

})i({ Cindy })i({

If you think the grass is
greener on the other side,
get fertilizer!!!
: )
Live, Love, Laugh!!!

Don't lose sight of lifes simple treasures, they cost nothing yet are priceless

[allgood]

Dear Pond Folks,

Thanks for the thoughts on lighting. My assignment is getting better by
the moment. Some of the thoughts I had not considered and and as for
the thoughts I had previously considered, I am glad to hear others share
the same view. Are there any more comments?

For instance:
Is there any special way you like to light the ponds from outside the
water? Any special landscape lighting trick to make the water display
more effective in a waterfall or a fountain?

I am certainly glad I was referred to this group. I am including the
"clift(sp?) notes" from the first responses as well as my original
request for help below. Any additional comments are greatly
appreciated.

Thanks again,
Cla Allgood

Note:Algae growing on light fixtures is a turn off (so lights shoud be
placed so they can be wiped clean)
Note: Lighting on indoors ponds with natural wavelength lights can help
keep the red in koi from being less vivid.
Note:Natural wave length lighting can help a grower seperate fish on
cloudy days
Note: There was a thought that extended artficial lighting could disrupt
fish sleep
Note: Artificial lighting may make fish easier for predators to catch.
Note: Underwater lighting can highlight dirt in the water, making the
water less attractive rather than more attractive
Note: As lights blow, and systems break more maintenance is required.
Note: Lights on a timer give fish plenty of sleep time.
Note: Lights can really extend the time when one can enjoy the pond.
People are home in the evening.
Note: There is some concern if the lights can make warm water even
warmer.
Note:?

[Kevintree]

Cla

You can email me at kevi...@aol.com

And I,ll give you a website w/ more info

Kevin

[Bonnie Lee Hill]

Hello,

allgood wrote:
>
> Hello friendly pond folks,
>
> I am helping with a workshop and the topic I have been selected to work
> with is pond and water feature lighting. I am very interested in any
> theories, successes, failures, and/or testimonials readers of this news
> group can share.

> . . .

> Thanks in advance,
>
> Cla Allgood
>

> Anyway, with a lack of slides

I have lighting outside and inside the ponds. The underwater lights shine
upwards and light two waterfalls. A third light is placed inside "Fish
Mountain". The light shines out several "holes" in the mountain. The
effect is very interesting at night.

Outside the pond, I have two landscape lights which illuminte the stone
bridge and walkway areas. I have several other small lights which illuminate
the ends of the bog. One of these small lights shines across the pond and
illuminates the steps of the waterfall. All these lights accentuate a
specific area.

Finally, I have a source of even light for the perimeter of the watergarden.
I placed clear Christmas lights around the top of my fence. These small
bulbs provide enough light so that I can see all the areas of my
watergarden. I liked these lights so much that I decided to keep them all
year.

The underwater lights are on a timer and only shine a few hours each night.
The lights around the fence and near the stone bridge are on from dawn to
dusk. They allow me to check on the watergarden any time -- day or night.

Keep cool,

Bonnie Lee Hill
Dallas, Texas