It's not a 180, but it's something.

[magdelan]

I'm starting a 7g bowfront. So far it has a Hydor 425, filter with p04 pad (it's all I have at the moment), a 100w heater and a 14w crap florescent light.

I am struggling to find a decent light for it where #1, it will fit it's odd 17" length and #2, it can accomodate the trim ie: a couple led clip-ons for a rimless tank would be nice.

Any recomendations that won't break the bank? AI nano is nice, but too many bad reviews and too expensive for me right now. I would love LED or t-5.

 

[cmof29]

Nice start. I like the rockwork.

 

[belgian_waffleman]

That has potential for sure!
I would do a DIY LED retrofit. You shouldn't need that many LEDs

Waffleman

 

[Jacwil]

Great start Mike!!!

For lighting I would also suggest a diy led unit or if that's not a consideration there are some unique options here: http://reefkoi.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=20&zenid=26ca0f33540f5319ba3d88643e02c8a5

You may even get away with one of the 20k Par 30 lamps they offer.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

DIY LED. Find a light fixture at Home Depot or Walmart you like (i.e. a clip-on or freestanding desk lamp), pull out the guts, put in a PC CPU heatsink and fan, and plop 3 - 4 HP LEDs on it. Out the door for maybe $50 - $75, it'll be dimmable and customizable. I've made a bunch like this for nanos but unfortunately have dismantled most of them to re-use the parts for other projects.

 

[Dauthi]

I got a spare i2300 heat sink laying around if you decide to go that route and need it.

I did one of the 24 led diy's from aquastylesonline.com on my own heat sink made out of U channel from lowes. It's working out well and only around $130 invested including shipping from Hong Kong!

 

[magdelan]

Thanks, Pete. I'll check out that website. After talking to Justin and reading the post before yours, I feel that a DIY LED may be my best bet.

 

[Dauthi]

ya, it's super easy to put together. I got all the soldering gear too if you need to use it or help doing it. For the number of led's you'd be using I'm not sure aquastyles would save you much. If you used the PC heatsink you'd just need the led stars and a driver.

 

[magdelan]

I'm looking for an easy answer and all of this DIY stuff seems challenging... or perhaps I'm just challenged.

 

[Dauthi]

I don't think diy is the easiest approach, sometimes it isn't the cheapest either. I just like to do it because I get the satisfaction, and it's easier to hide many small payments to different places from the warden

 

[gary greguire]

I used this light over my little bow front its a lot of light though.

http://www.marineandreef.com/Nova_Extreme_T5_Aquarium_Lighting_Current_USA_p/rcu01136.htm

these guys are out of stock but I think DRfoster&smith carry it to.

 

[magdelan]

The problem that I am running into is that the light has to fit over a 17" length. That's why I may need to clip it or suspend it.

 

[teamdulski]

Grab a 20k LED par 38 lamp from rapidled or anyone else and your done.

 

[mr86mister]

Yay Nano's!!! The small ones are challenging but so much fun.

 

[gmate]

Grab a 20k LED par 38 lamp from rapidled or anyone else and your done.

This. You won't be disappointed. Highly recommend.

 

[gary greguire]

The problem that I am running into is that the light has to fit over a 17" length. That's why I may need to clip it or suspend it.

the legs are adjustable and the bulbs are about 16 inces long, the whole fixture is about 18inches.

I have never used the par 38 lamps but would think one would work great.