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Dart Den

Serving the Dart Frog Community Since 2004...

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Any reviews of MistKing's LED system?
#1
Because this is the exact sort of thing I'm into, I'm considering shelling out for this LED system from MistKing/Jungle Hobbies. I've been reading through the threads on LEDs and UVA/UVB but I definitely need your expertise to help me decide. (Let's just pretend cost is not an issue.) Will the frogs get what they need from the LEDs, and are these programs like storms and whatnot problematic for them? Currently I'm using CFLs but through thin acrylic.

Thanks for any thoughts. I do realize there's many different kinds of DIY setups, so like I said, pretend cost and necessity aren't in question, just whether my auratus would do well with this.
A girl named Joey.
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#2
Well while uv might benefit the frogs they don't need it. The vast majority of people don't put uv over their vivs. Just make sure you supplement regularly with a good calcium/d3 supplement.

Plants may use uva/b a little...
There is some research that it has some effects and possibly may be in part responsible for coloring up broms because the pigmentation to some degree is caused by a process similar to how we get freckles (kinda, I think) (I'm to lazy to look up the paper), but basically other then maybe a little color loss, or getting burned if they are to close to a uva/b light it won't make much difference.

As for he light, well I was hoping to win one in the contest they just had but, the participation was bad so it is cancelled/postponed for awhile... So maybe I'll get another shot at it. Looks good though, but because it isn't very long (But is very powerful), it is probably best suited for larger cube and vert style tanks, like 20gal and larger vert tanks, maybe a 20H, or standard 30, 30 cubes and larger, A 40b vert would be good probably.

Because it is short you may find that if you try and use it on a longer tank you get a spot lighting effect, and you may need a strip light across the back to balance out that spot light effect, or I don't know maybe the thing is so powerful it will wash the tank in light and you won't notice the spotlight effect.

Seems well made and lots of cool functions, but I haven't gotten to play with one yet so I can't be sure. It is likely the frogs will adapt to the storm/cloud cover functions if you use them. I mean it isn't like all the frogs in the wild have heart attacks and die every time a storm comes or a cloud passes over ;P
Everything I've ever wrote is/was just my opinion Tongue
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#3
I have not seen that configuration in person but it seems to be overkill and way too much $$ IMO.

Here's what I use and the guy I go to for 100% of my lighting questions:

viewtopic.php?f=47&t=7689
https://www.facebook.com/dartden/

https://twitter.com/DartDen


"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
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#4
ZenMonkey Wrote:... Will the frogs get what they need from the LEDs,

Pertaining to what? Frogs fed the correct food stuff don't need light at all.
Plants tend to though. Plants are very over rated when it comes to exactly what the frogs need from plants. They look pretty, but not as pretty as the frogs and little ones hopping around.


ZenMonkey Wrote:...and are these programs like storms and whatnot problematic for them?

Are you asking if the programs are problematic for the frogs or the whole system in general?
If you read the sales pitch the functions are for impressing friends [sic] (??) and growing plants. I guarantee you I can dig out tons and tons of pics where none of these light features are ever even noticed by frogs actually in-situ.
A light show is totally unneeded for darts and the simple fact is that the breeding is driven by barometric pressure, humidity, food stuff and the like. Not by the amount of flashing lights marketed to impress friends. But, I can als tell you that too much light is detrimental to the well being of the frogs and froglets. No such thing as too little light, absolutely such a thing as too much light, and flashing and whirligigs and fluff...



ZenMonkey Wrote:Thanks for any thoughts. I do realize there's many different kinds of DIY setups, so like I said, pretend cost and necessity aren't in question, just whether my auratus would do well with this.

That system is not produced by Marty Mist King, as his misters are also produced by a third company.
If you are looking for a review you will simply need to find the manufacturer of that system and find buyers who have left reviews .

The amount of cash being charged for that light show is ridiculous and at best can be turned down to the exact function of a screw in CFL. I don't care if you have cash flowing like water , spend it on better frog-useful products please.
Darts with parasites are analogous to mixed tanks, there are no known benefits to the frogs with either.


If tone is more important to you than content, you are at the wrong place.

My new email address is: rich.frye@icloud.com and new phone number is 773 577 3476
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#5
Philsuma Wrote:I have not seen that configuration in person but it seems to be overkill and way too much $$ IMO.

Here's what I use and the guy I go to for 100% of my lighting questions:

http://www.dartden.com/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=7689

Todd is great, JD's are great. I hope soon to be able to tell you the grow n glows are great too!

RichFrye Wrote:Are you asking if the programs are problematic for the frogs or the whole system in general?
If you read the sales pitch the functions are for impressing friends [sic] (??) and growing plants. I guarantee you I can dig out tons and tons of pics where none of these light features are ever even noticed by frogs actually in-situ.
A light show is totally unneeded for darts and the simple fact is that the breeding is driven by barometric pressure, humidity, food stuff and the like. Not by the amount of flashing lights marketed to impress friends. But, I can als tell you that too much light is detrimental to the well being of the frogs and froglets. No such thing as too little light, absolutely such a thing as too much light, and flashing and whirligigs and fluff...

Is complete darkness ok then? I thought I had read some studies where Tads did better in some light then in darkness... I don't know though.

As the main proponent of whirligigs and what not, I would suggest that anyone doing that kind of FX work put everything on timers and run it sparingly. Don't have that crap going off all night. No point in it when you're in bed...let the frogs get their rest most of the night Wink
Everything I've ever wrote is/was just my opinion Tongue
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#6
Dendro_Dave Wrote:Is complete darkness ok then? I thought I had read some studies where Tads did better in some light then in darkness... I don't know though.

Are you really and seriously asking me if frogs or tads should be kept in absolute darkness? And do you really and seriously think that was the point I was trying to convey?
Ambient light is more than enough ... for the frogs and tads.


Dendro_Dave Wrote:As the main proponent of whirligigs and what not, I would suggest that anyone doing that kind of FX work put everything on timers and run it sparingly. Don't have that crap going off all night. No point in it when you're in bed...let the frogs get their rest most of the night Wink

There's "no point" , other than human entertainment only to any "FX" or the like...
For newbs , like the OP, (and even more experienced froggers than newbs) I'd suggest research on what the frogs need, as opposed to flash of any kind. There is always something to be learned pertaining to dart husbandry and what is truly best for the frogs' health and long term well being.
Darts with parasites are analogous to mixed tanks, there are no known benefits to the frogs with either.


If tone is more important to you than content, you are at the wrong place.

My new email address is: rich.frye@icloud.com and new phone number is 773 577 3476
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#7
RichFrye Wrote:Are you really and seriously asking me if frogs or tads should be kept in absolute darkness? And do you really and seriously think that was the point I was trying to convey?
Ambient light is more than enough ... for the frogs and tads.

RichFrye Wrote:No such thing as too little light

Basically that is what I figured but due to the above statement I thought I'd ask for clarification. So no not really being all that serious, just didn't want anyone else to take you to literally. (I know better, but a noob may read that and just decide to throw his tad/froglets in box in the closet and shut the door.)


Dendro_Dave Wrote:As the main proponent of whirligigs and what not, I would suggest that anyone doing that kind of FX work put everything on timers and run it sparingly. Don't have that crap going off all night. No point in it when you're in bed...let the frogs get their rest most of the night Wink

RichFrye Wrote:There's "no point" , other than human entertainment only to any "FX" or the like...
For newbs , like the OP, (and even more experienced froggers than newbs) I'd suggest research on what the frogs need, as opposed to flash of any kind. There is always something to be learned pertaining to dart husbandry and what is truly best for the frogs' health and long term well being.

For the most part there is no point beyond entertainment/decoration (But why are those not valid points in and of themselves?), But nor is there likely any harm, especially if you only run a storm FX mode once or twice a day, or only have specialty lighting on for an hour or so at lights off. While some look at a vivarium as pretty much just strictly a means to an end (Raising/breeding Darts) others enjoy the plants and the scenery, feeling like they have a slice of the jungle in their homes, and our frogs are often brightly colored like most popular aquarium fish so there is the "display" factor to consider. It is fine if some don't care about that, but it is also fine if some do.

Just like the aquarium hobby, for most people there is an entertainment/decoration aspect beyond just the keeping and breeding of frogs. Also in recent years through the efforts of people like Amano and his aquascaping techniques aquariums have become a recognized art form, especially in the EU and Japan, with museum installations and even traveling exhibits. I see no reason why our vivarium hobby doesn't deserve the same kind advancement and recognition and that is what much of my work is focused on.

But, I would agree that a newcomer, needs to focus on just building a proper viv and good husbandry before concerning themselves with the "flash". For more advanced keepers though they have the luxury of broadening their horizons if they choose too, but it should be done responsibly. Also this work may occasionally yield husbandry benefits. One example of this is the floating cloud FX I've created. Ran during the day that cloud will increase humidity, and block some light which may spur more activity and coupled with a rain storm, may spur more breeding activity. Ya you could just take some light off, and mist more often, but automated FX might help them establish something akin to circadian rhythms and also help keep the keepers actively engaged/involved with their vivs leading to overall better husbandry practices in the long run.
Everything I've ever wrote is/was just my opinion Tongue
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#8
RichFrye Wrote:For newbs , like the OP, (and even more experienced froggers than newbs) I'd suggest research on what the frogs need, as opposed to flash of any kind. There is always something to be learned pertaining to dart husbandry and what is truly best for the frogs' health and long term well being.

Yup, that's why I asked here, and why I'm reading posts here and elsewhere every day to learn. The only reviews of this thing I've found concern the price, so I wanted to know more about the lights themselves. I'm not really interested in the storm thing as much as the day/night cycle, since I keep a wildly erratic schedule; I just wanted to know how it might or might not affect the frogs. This all started in search of a mere dimmer, since the viv is in full view of my bed, which I may still go with. If the LEDs aren't dimmable then I'm sticking with fluorescent.

Thanks for all the very helpful information in this thread! Nothing like a good back-and-forth to get all sides of an issue. Smile Gonna send an email to lightyourfrogs.com right now.
A girl named Joey.
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#9
ZenMonkey Wrote:
RichFrye Wrote:For newbs , like the OP, (and even more experienced froggers than newbs) I'd suggest research on what the frogs need, as opposed to flash of any kind. There is always something to be learned pertaining to dart husbandry and what is truly best for the frogs' health and long term well being.

... I'm not really interested in the storm thing as much as the day/night cycle, since I keep a wildly erratic schedule; I just wanted to know how it might or might not affect the frogs.
...

Erratic light schedules can and will effect your frogs' system and health.
This is only one reason why if there is mainly ambient lighting there will be zero negative effect. Sun comes up...light. Sun goes down, no light.
Spastic flashes and wild lighting schedule changes will do no good at all for your frogs.
There are people who flip light cycles to night time light and day time darkness and the frogs will settle in. But that's a very regular schedule of how much light and when. And it works , especially when heat from lights is an isuue. But then there is also less time to actually view and enjoy your frogs, unless your sleep cycle is the same as the switched cycle frogs.
Darts with parasites are analogous to mixed tanks, there are no known benefits to the frogs with either.


If tone is more important to you than content, you are at the wrong place.

My new email address is: rich.frye@icloud.com and new phone number is 773 577 3476
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#10
RichFrye Wrote:Erratic light schedules can and will effect your frogs' system and health.
This is only one reason why if there is mainly ambient lighting there will be zero negative effect. Sun comes up...light. Sun goes down, no light.

Whether there is ambient light in here is also erratic due to my situation (I just sent you a PM). Everything you mention is exactly why I'm looking for a timer and dimmer system. So far I've been able to keep to a pretty regular light schedule for the frogs, but I want to be able to relax about it and not worry if I'll be awake in time to turn on the light. (Off is less of a problem, although sometimes the frogs tuck themselves in for the night a little early so I turn it off then.)
A girl named Joey.
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#11
Also, frogs will adapt to a divergent photoperiod will no ill effects that I can think of - ever heard of. It's not like they will lose sleep or have jet lag and become continually cranky. heh
https://www.facebook.com/dartden/

https://twitter.com/DartDen


"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
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#12
ZenMonkey Wrote:
RichFrye Wrote:For newbs , like the OP, (and even more experienced froggers than newbs) I'd suggest research on what the frogs need, as opposed to flash of any kind. There is always something to be learned pertaining to dart husbandry and what is truly best for the frogs' health and long term well being.

Yup, that's why I asked here, and why I'm reading posts here and elsewhere every day to learn. The only reviews of this thing I've found concern the price, so I wanted to know more about the lights themselves. I'm not really interested in the storm thing as much as the day/night cycle, since I keep a wildly erratic schedule; I just wanted to know how it might or might not affect the frogs. This all started in search of a mere dimmer, since the viv is in full view of my bed, which I may still go with. If the LEDs aren't dimmable then I'm sticking with fluorescent.

Thanks for all the very helpful information in this thread! Nothing like a good back-and-forth to get all sides of an issue. Smile Gonna send an email to lightyourfrogs.com right now.

I think on that light if you leave it on the dawn/dusk setting it will just run like that by itself, but if you switch to storm mode or whatever, then you have to set it back to dawn dusk, but I'm not sure if it picks up where it left off or completely resets so that you'll have to go through another sunrise period after the storm or something. It would be ideal if you could put it on dawn dusk, program a storm for the day, a storm at night, have the lights go off at night time, and have the moon light come on, and it did all that automatically... but unfortunately the have yet to make a light that does all that (that I know of) without having to diy or build yourself a fancy controller. As it is I think you have to switch it back to the dawn dusk, after a mode change, and if you want the moon light on if forfeits the dawn dusk cycle, and you'll have turn that back on later in the night or next day. But to be sure ask Marty, I'm sure he'll be happy to answer any questions.
Everything I've ever wrote is/was just my opinion Tongue
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#13
Dendro_Dave Wrote:
ZenMonkey Wrote:
RichFrye Wrote:For newbs , like the OP, (and even more experienced froggers than newbs) I'd suggest research on what the frogs need, as opposed to flash of any kind. There is always something to be learned pertaining to dart husbandry and what is truly best for the frogs' health and long term well being.

Yup, that's why I asked here, and why I'm reading posts here and elsewhere every day to learn. The only reviews of this thing I've found concern the price, so I wanted to know more about the lights themselves. I'm not really interested in the storm thing as much as the day/night cycle, since I keep a wildly erratic schedule; I just wanted to know how it might or might not affect the frogs. This all started in search of a mere dimmer, since the viv is in full view of my bed, which I may still go with. If the LEDs aren't dimmable then I'm sticking with fluorescent.

Thanks for all the very helpful information in this thread! Nothing like a good back-and-forth to get all sides of an issue. Smile Gonna send an email to lightyourfrogs.com right now.

I think on that light if you leave it on the dawn/dusk setting it will just run like that by itself, but if you switch to storm mode or whatever, then you have to set it back to dawn dusk, but I'm not sure if it picks up where it left off or completely resets so that you'll have to go through another sunrise period after the storm or something.

It would be ideal if you could put it on dawn dusk, program a storm for the day, a storm at night, have the lights go off at night time, and have the moon light come on, and it did all that automatically... but unfortunately they have yet to make a light that does all that out of the box (that I know of) without having to diy or build yourself a fancy controller.

As it is I think you have to switch it back to the dawn dusk, after a mode change, and if you want the moon light on if forfeits the dawn dusk cycle, and you'll have turn that back on later in the night or next day. But to be sure ask Marty, I'm sure he'll be happy to answer any questions.
Everything I've ever wrote is/was just my opinion Tongue
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#14
Honestly I'm not that sure I'll care about the storm stuff (someone else said it looks more like a rave than a storm and my froglets are NOT allowed to party like that! Wink ); it's the dawn/dusk thing that I'm much more interested in. I just shot off an email to Marty so hopefully I'll have some other options to choose from. Thank you!
A girl named Joey.
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#15
ZenMonkey Wrote:Honestly I'm not that sure I'll care about the storm stuff (someone else said it looks more like a rave than a storm and my froglets are NOT allowed to party like that! Wink ); it's the dawn/dusk thing that I'm much more interested in. I just shot off an email to Marty so hopefully I'll have some other options to choose from. Thank you!

Do you care about the moon light? ... If so I'd ask if that interrupts the dawn dusk cycle. If so you'll have to shut it off and reset the dawn dusk before bed to make sure the sun rises in the morning (I think, again ask Marty to be sure)
Everything I've ever wrote is/was just my opinion Tongue
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#16
That would not be a problem at all.
A girl named Joey.
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#17
Dart frogs are circadian rhythm driven.
Just as when our circadian rhythm is interrupted , so are the darts'.
Use that info as you will.
Darts with parasites are analogous to mixed tanks, there are no known benefits to the frogs with either.


If tone is more important to you than content, you are at the wrong place.

My new email address is: rich.frye@icloud.com and new phone number is 773 577 3476
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#18
I’m not sure about the mistking led but I have something similar I have been using for the past 3 years. It has UVB LEDs, white day light LEDs, blue for moon light which it is programed for the phases of the moon per month and Red LEDs for plants and mimicking orange sky at dawn. It dims from dusk to dawn.
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#19
The problem with the UVB LEDs is that it deteriorates my mist lines. They crack and have holes everywhere. I had added a layer of black electrical tubing protect the lines.
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#20
Jerryo Wrote:The problem with the UVB LEDs is that it deteriorates my mist lines. They crack and have hoes everywhere. I had added a layer of black electrical tubing protect the lines

The problem with UV in general is that it deteriorates (destroys*) almost everything , given enough exposure.

This is one of UV uses.
Darts with parasites are analogous to mixed tanks, there are no known benefits to the frogs with either.


If tone is more important to you than content, you are at the wrong place.

My new email address is: rich.frye@icloud.com and new phone number is 773 577 3476
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