Light for BioCube 29 rear fuge?

[az_lynx]

I have been doing research for what light to use for my fuge (inTank fuge basket in chamber 2 of Coralife BioCube 29 with chaeto). I wanted something that would draw little power and add little heat and eventually controlled by Arduino. Naturally I was lead down the LED path. I was leaning towards JBJ Nano-Glo but $60 just seemed steep for my fuge light.

Then as I was looking at ecoxotic (http://www.ecoxotic.com/) as a possible led solution for my hood I noticed they have what they call an EcoPico light. I contacted them and they said it would work vertical on the back of the tank shining in and to use the 12,000k white. They offer:

EcoPico LED Strip, 12,000K White
EcoPico LED Strip, 453nm Blue
EcoPico LED Strip, 12K White/453nm Blue

Seeing as everyone has such success at 6,800k... will any of the above work ok also? if so would the half and half work better for a fuge or the all white?

Another possible solution is Steve's LEDs (http://shop.stevesleds.com/main.sc) who have a Moonlight kit (http://shop.stevesleds.com/Moonlight-Kit-Complete-RGB-Moonlight.htm) that I can cut short and pick whatever color I want (altho... I have no clue on actually temperature or power.

I though about doing my own setup but then I am less sure about mounting them.

[Lilmatty5dimes]

i would just get this.
http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Underwater-10W-Single-Light-WTL10.htm

[az_lynx]

i would just get this.
http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Underwater-10W-Single-Light-WTL10.htmI probably should have mentioned that I looked into that option and almost bought it with all my other stuff from inTank.

I ruled it out due to heat. Halogen is a really hot light and from what I have read people see a 1 to 2 degree increase with that light. I live in AZ and it's already tough enough to keep a tank cool.

Thanks for the suggestion tho!

[sparky5785]

If price is the issue this may not work for you but I thought I'd throw it out there.

http://glass-holes.com/Innovative-Marine-Skkye-Light-Utility-LED-6-Watt-0I10245.htm

Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk 2

[az_lynx]

If price is the issue this may not work for you but I thought I'd throw it out there.

http://glass-holes.com/Innovative-Marine-Skkye-Light-Utility-LED-6-Watt-0I10245.htm

Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk 2Thanks! I heard about that one but didn't find a place that was selling it. I'm not going to say price is an "issue" (is it ever really for people on this hobby... everything adds up lol). I just feel like a better solution could be had for less money. I guess if I just knew the best temperature of light for the fuge I could make it with led's.

[debincalif]

I have the In Tank halogen light that I bought when I got my media basket & fuge. It does run a little warm, but not too bad. I've heard good things about the EcoPico lights, so if Ecoxotic says it would work, that might be a good option. I would go with the 12k white.

[sparky5785]

Thanks! I heard about that one but didn't find a place that was selling it. I'm not going to say price is an "issue" (is it ever really for people on this hobby... everything adds up lol). I just feel like a better solution could be had for less money. I guess if I just knew the best temperature of light for the fuge I could make it with led's.

6500K

Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk 2

[ryeguyy84]

I had the intank in my cube, it eventually was covered in algae and ran very hot. I left it on out of water for a water change and the glass cover shattered because it got so hot.

I recently cut the power cord to run a fan. Not a total loss.

[rtparty]

The ecopico lights are good little lights but I would be inclined to use an all white or even the white/magenta stunner strip.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[az_lynx]

The ecopico lights are good little lights but I would be inclined to use an all white or even the white/magenta stunner strip.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2Thanks... I actually found a local shop that has ecoxotic lights and was able to get me a stunner strip today.

I decided to go with the 12.5" 6 watt Stunner LED 8000K White (http://www.ecoxotic.com/stunner-led-strips.html) since it's much closer spectrum of what chaeto likes. Some quick google searching showed that people have had success with 8000k.

Once I get it tonight I just need to get some suction cups (or some other way to mount it vertically) and I will post some pictures then report back in a week or so with growth numbers.

[az_lynx]

Picture TIME!

I have to say I am pleased with my choice. I went to Home Depot and found "medium size suction cups" that have a hook and they work perfectly to hold the light! Hooked it up to a timer reverse my normal light cycle and good to go. Only problem was the local store was out of chaeto except for the small strand that was on a piece of live rock I had.

Here you can see it hanging from the hook on the right half of chamber two. As you can see... almost perfect height with the suction hook.
http://i.imgur.com/4Tz9N.jpg

Here is a picture of it turned on.
http://i.imgur.com/PIMfE.jpg

Here is a picture from the top. You can see the inTank fuge basket (besides the inTank media basket)
http://i.imgur.com/s34em.jpg

Here is a close up of the suction hook
http://i.imgur.com/uXPCy.jpg

[john90009]

you guys don't get algea like diatoms growing in=side the glass blocking the light out do you?

[erictorres0311]

I know it's and old thread but any updates on the light ?

[limpert]

i know eric brought it back from the dead.. i would have gone with one of these (http://www.ebay.com/itm/110V-E27-36-LEDS-12W-LED-Corn-Light-Bulb-Ultra-Bright-Lamp-With-Cover-/171466931074?pt=US_Light_Bulbs&var=&hash=item27ec39bb82) matched with a light deflector from home depot/walmart