Been reading up on these lights for a couple weeks now. Finally pulled the trigger on 2 of the 165W's for my 90 Gallon. Thanks everyone for the input. Is there another thread for mounting advice? I don't have a hood and my cheap t12's just sit on top of the tank. Any mounting advice is appreciated. I like clean, tidy, & tucked if possible. Thanks!
Mars Aqua Chinese LED review (Ebay)
- Thread starter Atomic081
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garygonzales
Member
google or you tube...give you lots of ideas,,,,
ginoandres
New member
Hey guys, I just received the 300w Mars Aqua LED for my very first SW tank, a 40g breeder. I'm having the whole system custom built for me as it's relatively cheap to do here in Taiwan.
My question is about mounting the fixture. I live in an apartment and can't drill the walls, so what are my options? The guy building my tank offered to make some brackets out of acrylic to mount on the sides of the tank (rimless) but because the fixture is 80 cm wide and the tank is 90 cm wide, that won't really work. There's also the need to keep the fixture like 10-12" above the water from what I understand, which might make an acrylic mount unwieldy or too tall? Anyone have any ideas or pics of their setup with the 300w version?
My question is about mounting the fixture. I live in an apartment and can't drill the walls, so what are my options? The guy building my tank offered to make some brackets out of acrylic to mount on the sides of the tank (rimless) but because the fixture is 80 cm wide and the tank is 90 cm wide, that won't really work. There's also the need to keep the fixture like 10-12" above the water from what I understand, which might make an acrylic mount unwieldy or too tall? Anyone have any ideas or pics of their setup with the 300w version?
Swope2bc
New member
There are lots of options, any arm coming up the back of the tank and over the top will do (as long as it's strong enough to carry the weight). Make it adjustable if you want or just adjust from the fixture itself. Good DIY LED mount and there are tons of pictures and ideas.
I just ordered 2 of the 165w lights tonight. I plan to put a led light from live rock and reef in the middle of the 2 over a 95 gallon bow front. I will post some pics when I get done, I am going to make a metal frame that will hold all 3 across, and legs that come down to support the tank.
garygonzales
Member
6 inches is pretty close ..maybe 8 to 10 inches would be good give you more of a spread...but i guess it wont be that bad tho...
jjbunn
New member
Specular reflections?
Specular reflections?
My 165W Mars Aqua arrived yesterday - I have it suspended over my 36x18x22 tank using a modified shepherd hook plant holder and chains, so that the MarsAqua it is about 8" above the water surface.
What I notice is that there are no specular reflections from the LEDs off the water surface onto the walls/ceiling of my room, so no nice ripple shadows etc., which are nice to have
(Not sure I'm being too clear what I'm referring to here ..!)
Is this perhaps because each LED is covered by a diffuser that spreads the light?
The tank came with a couple of white LED strips: these do produce reflections, and each LED is uncovered ...
Specular reflections?
My 165W Mars Aqua arrived yesterday - I have it suspended over my 36x18x22 tank using a modified shepherd hook plant holder and chains, so that the MarsAqua it is about 8" above the water surface.
What I notice is that there are no specular reflections from the LEDs off the water surface onto the walls/ceiling of my room, so no nice ripple shadows etc., which are nice to have
(Not sure I'm being too clear what I'm referring to here ..!)Is this perhaps because each LED is covered by a diffuser that spreads the light?
The tank came with a couple of white LED strips: these do produce reflections, and each LED is uncovered ...
jbvdhp
Active member
Mars Aqua Chinese LED review (Ebay)
100% blue and close if not 100% white, 12 hrs blue and 5 hours white
Also I realize that although those are easy montis and a very easy HS chalice, they grow very fast with this light. Clams doing well too. Birdsnest does great with this light too.
100% blue and close if not 100% white, 12 hrs blue and 5 hours white
Also I realize that although those are easy montis and a very easy HS chalice, they grow very fast with this light. Clams doing well too. Birdsnest does great with this light too.
WoW, looks very nice and love the way you made the light stand. GJ :inlove:
garygonzales
Member
cool job on the lights....
I'm buying the 300 Watt for my 40 Breeder as most people in this thread have also with their 40 breeders. I don't have mine yet but am ordering them this week. Also I don't know if it is a concern but, two 165 would be 4 power cords..2 for each light vs just 2 for the 300watt.
300w aquarium light is suitable for a 38"x24"tank
165w aquarium light is suitable for a 24"x24" tank.
Recommendation (Hanging 12"-16" Above water)
So 2 165 watt would cover a 4 ft tank which you would have light on the outside of your tank on each side. The 300 Watt would be perfect since the tank is 36" long. Feel free to read over the thread as there are lots of people with 40 breeders in this thread. Here is a guy running 300 watt on a 40 breeder https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgmyxpTzDy4
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garygonzales
Member
yep you will be happy with the 300 watt...
