Disclaimer: photos are all from my phone and not edited
My biocube has been a hot mess (literally) for the last year or so, in part due to the very old PC bulbs in the hood. Old bulbs definitely foster algal growth...but overfeeding and less than regular water changes don't hurt either. :facepalm:
My LED pitch was basically, "We are looking at $50 every 6 mos to change PC bulbs or $200 for an LED retro" She jumped on it and told me to make the order. I wanted to get the solderless, dual-dimmable kit, but they were out of solderless RB LEDs. I already placed the order, but told them to go ahead with the regular RB LEDs and the solderless neutral whites. Install was simple and only took a few distracted hours. The color is pretty good, but I'm thinking I may swap a few NW LEDs for CW. The combo I have (50/50) is either too much white, too much blue or a little pink together. I think I"ll have it nailed down with a little trial and error and a few more dollars in LEDs. I'd post pics, but it looks like a RAPID LED install in a dirty biocube.
I've had an ongoing Fluval Edge project as well. It's a 6g model and it's home to my little mantis. He's alone in there, aside from a few snails for clean up. Right now it's lit with some chineese, ebay LEDs. I have three bulbs each holding 3x 1w LEDs. THey're the same lights used iwth the GU10 base that people have been using for DIY lately. They seem to foster a little bit of algae growth. I"m going to upgrade to a 6 LED cree set up in the future
Lastly, I've been working on my 40 breeder frag tank for a few weeks. It's nothing special, just a 40 breeder over a 20 long sump on a 2x4 stand. It's lit by a 250w Radium in a DIY lumenarc reflector courtesy of another member. It's awaiting a few powerheads, a DIY auto topoff ATO and a RKL that are either in the mail or sitting in the room for install. THe frag racks are just painted egg crate on PVC legs.
I hope this tank will let me keep overgrowth out of my Solana, store some backups in case something happens to the main tank and maybe make a few bucks or trades along the way.
My biocube has been a hot mess (literally) for the last year or so, in part due to the very old PC bulbs in the hood. Old bulbs definitely foster algal growth...but overfeeding and less than regular water changes don't hurt either. :facepalm:
My LED pitch was basically, "We are looking at $50 every 6 mos to change PC bulbs or $200 for an LED retro" She jumped on it and told me to make the order. I wanted to get the solderless, dual-dimmable kit, but they were out of solderless RB LEDs. I already placed the order, but told them to go ahead with the regular RB LEDs and the solderless neutral whites. Install was simple and only took a few distracted hours. The color is pretty good, but I'm thinking I may swap a few NW LEDs for CW. The combo I have (50/50) is either too much white, too much blue or a little pink together. I think I"ll have it nailed down with a little trial and error and a few more dollars in LEDs. I'd post pics, but it looks like a RAPID LED install in a dirty biocube.
I've had an ongoing Fluval Edge project as well. It's a 6g model and it's home to my little mantis. He's alone in there, aside from a few snails for clean up. Right now it's lit with some chineese, ebay LEDs. I have three bulbs each holding 3x 1w LEDs. THey're the same lights used iwth the GU10 base that people have been using for DIY lately. They seem to foster a little bit of algae growth. I"m going to upgrade to a 6 LED cree set up in the future
Lastly, I've been working on my 40 breeder frag tank for a few weeks. It's nothing special, just a 40 breeder over a 20 long sump on a 2x4 stand. It's lit by a 250w Radium in a DIY lumenarc reflector courtesy of another member. It's awaiting a few powerheads, a DIY auto topoff ATO and a RKL that are either in the mail or sitting in the room for install. THe frag racks are just painted egg crate on PVC legs.
I hope this tank will let me keep overgrowth out of my Solana, store some backups in case something happens to the main tank and maybe make a few bucks or trades along the way.
