Clip on LED Light for Low Tech Tank

[REDSTEVEO]

Very soon I will be removing most if not all the plants in my tank, and changing the substrate from the JBL Sansibar White Coarse gravel to a natural sand.

I might be leaving a few of the smaller Cryptocoryne species in and some moss on wood slightly emerged.

The reason for this is because I want to create a more natural Amazon Black Water Biotope for my Manacupura Red Backed Angel Fish. A sandy bottom with leaves and branches, palm leaves, botanicals etc

I will be removing the Fluval Fresh Plant LED 3.0 and the original Eheim T5 x 2 Light unit as they are too bright. My CO2 system will be discontinued, and no fertilisers, so really going low tech.

So I'm looking for recommendations for a single Clip on type LED, not too bright, and with a narrow central beam, sort of cone shape to illuminate the centre section of the tank only, leaving a darker area to the left and right of a 1m 30cm 400 litre tank. Preferably not an orange coloured light.

I would be grateful if anyone has a suggestion and any photographs of a tank setup similar to what I have described. Also any recommendations on the sand I could use.

Links to suggested lights would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[oreo57]

Very soon I will be removing most if not all the plants in my tank, and changing the substrate from the JBL Sansibar White Coarse gravel to a natural sand.

I might be leaving a few of the smaller Cryptocoryne species in and some moss on wood slightly emerged.

The reason for this is because I want to create a more natural Amazon Black Water Biotope for my Manacupura Red Backed Angel Fish. A sandy bottom with leaves and branches, palm leaves, botanicals etc

I will be removing the Fluval Fresh Plant LED 3.0 and the original Eheim T5 x 2 Light unit as they are too bright. My CO2 system will be discontinued, and no fertilisers, so really going low tech.

So I'm looking for recommendations for a single Clip on type LED, not too bright, and with a narrow central beam, sort of cone shape to illuminate the centre section of the tank only, leaving a darker area to the left and right of a 1m 30cm 400 litre tank. Preferably not an orange coloured light.

I would be grateful if anyone has a suggestion and any photographs of a tank setup similar to what I have described. Also any recommendations on the sand I could use.

Links to suggested lights would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

Rimless or rimmed?
Anyway Kessil and Lominie are 2brands that are built "spotlight" like.

A360X LED Aquarium Light With WiFi Dongle - Tuna Sun

Superior Lighting & Control Pair the Kessil A360X LED Light with the Kessil WiFi Dongle to unleash an easy and reliable method of controlling your aquarium lights with a smartphone. Recommended Coverage - 24" x 24" Tuna Sun Spectrum Range - 6000K - 9000K Perfect for planted or really any...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

A360X Narrow Reflector

The A360X Narrow Reflector strengthens the light beam of the best-in-class A360 for further penetration and contrast. With an easy to attach magnetic design, the reflector increases the center light intensity by up to 3x while adding a dynamic depth to your tank. This accessory is perfect for...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[REDSTEVEO]

Rimless or rimmed?
Anyway Kessil and Lominie are 2brands that are built "spotlight" like.

A360X LED Aquarium Light With WiFi Dongle - Tuna Sun

Superior Lighting & Control Pair the Kessil A360X LED Light with the Kessil WiFi Dongle to unleash an easy and reliable method of controlling your aquarium lights with a smartphone. Recommended Coverage - 24" x 24" Tuna Sun Spectrum Range - 6000K - 9000K Perfect for planted or really any...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

A360X Narrow Reflector

The A360X Narrow Reflector strengthens the light beam of the best-in-class A360 for further penetration and contrast. With an easy to attach magnetic design, the reflector increases the center light intensity by up to 3x while adding a dynamic depth to your tank. This accessory is perfect for...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

It has glass reinforcement braces all around the edges if thats what you mean by rimmed. But right in the centre at the back is a weir where I would mount the light unit.

See photo below of the tank empty. You can see the weir.

Thanks.

 

[REDSTEVEO]

Rimless or rimmed?
Anyway Kessil and Lominie are 2brands that are built "spotlight" like.

A360X LED Aquarium Light With WiFi Dongle - Tuna Sun

Superior Lighting & Control Pair the Kessil A360X LED Light with the Kessil WiFi Dongle to unleash an easy and reliable method of controlling your aquarium lights with a smartphone. Recommended Coverage - 24" x 24" Tuna Sun Spectrum Range - 6000K - 9000K Perfect for planted or really any...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

A360X Narrow Reflector

The A360X Narrow Reflector strengthens the light beam of the best-in-class A360 for further penetration and contrast. With an easy to attach magnetic design, the reflector increases the center light intensity by up to 3x while adding a dynamic depth to your tank. This accessory is perfect for...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I think those might be a bit too bright for what I am tying to achieve, and a tad expensive 😅

 

[REDSTEVEO]

This is what I'm aiming for.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

This is what I'm aiming for.

<"Nice">.

and the original Eheim T5 x 2 Light unit

I'd just carry on with the Eheim light unit, but use a floating plant as a <"net curtain">. If you want a "biotope appropriate" one Pistia stratiotes grows in a lot of the small igarapes etc. anywhere there is enough light.

I think those might be a bit too bright for what I am tying to achieve, and a tad expensive

How about a 20W daylight COB security light <"https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-elec/hk-lb301a/led-floodlight-cob-20w-ip65/dp/LP07811"> on a gooseneck stand <"Kessil Gooseneck"> - <"Light mount">?

cheers Darrel

 

[REDSTEVEO]

Well I took out the original Eheim Twin T5 Light Unit, left the Fluval Fresh Plant Pro 3.0 above the tank on a very low light setting.

But the light I decided on and bought is a Fluval Plant Nano from the Abyss Aquatic Warehouse in Stockport. I looked at many others, but went for this based on build quality, design, and overall appearance. And as it happens it fits perfectly under the glass covers.

And it is fully adjustable using the same App on my phone as the Fluval Fresh Plant Pro 3.0.

I'm very happy with the effect it gives with a more central light through the middle of the tank.

I've got my new Carbo Root Wood soaking in containers and as soon as it has sunk, all you can see in the tank is coming out, and the new sand substrate, wood and branches are going in.

So in the end it will look something like this.

 

[Tim Harrison]

keep us posted can’t wait to see how this turns out 🙂

 

[REDSTEVEO]

keep us posted can’t wait to see how this turns out 🙂

I will, I'm clicking my heels waiting for the wood to sink.