stand / sump area lighting

[LXXero]

has anyone added a light under their stand to light up the sump area?

I don't mean like for a refugium, i just mean like so you can see what you're doing when you're working down there.

just looking for some ideas and/or suggestions based on what other people have done. I figure some kind of LED strips but obviously they don't have to be as bright as you'd expect to light up an aquarium. I'd like to do this for my 60g cube and my 120g...would be nice if i could come up with a similar solution for both, although the 120g will probably need longer lights to cover the wider area.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I did. I found cheap led tubes on ebay.

 

[davocean]

I got tape LEDs from Lowes, think they were like $24, comes w/ a remote and changes colors, works really cool for me, I can put on color shift mode which looks neat w/ my glass doors or flick on bright white when I'm working in there.
I got a 4' length that fits under my 120g perfectly

 

[LXXero]

ah, that looks perfect, something dimming and/or color changing, even better! and $24? I think I can swing that...hah...

 

[Ou8me2]

Yeah, I usually get those LED strips lights on Ebay and they work great for lighting under a tank.

 

[2015GaTor]

That's the best idea like ever!!! I have been using my LED camping lantern every time I start fooling around under the tank. Really cool that they change colors too.

 

[CindyK]

Has anyone hooked theirs up to a magnet on the door so the light comes on when the door opens? I'd like to know how to do that. Cindy

 

[DamonG]

Has anyone hooked theirs up to a magnet on the door so the light comes on when the door opens? I'd like to know how to do that. Cindy

it's actually very easy if you have an apex or another controller with a break out box or some type of switch detector.. And these are from my old system, but I also used the multi color led(mine were a 4 bar kit) from Lowe's..

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[FamilyTank]

The way I thought to do this when I do is a switch. Like a car door or your refrigerator. You need a "normally open" switch. When its out or open it on.

 

[CindyK]

The way I thought to do this when I do is a switch. Like a car door or your refrigerator. You need a "normally open" switch. When its out or open it on.

Yes, something like this. An apex is a long time down the road for me, if at all, so I'll need something simpler.

I think it can be done with some sort of magnet on the door, similar to the way home door alarms work. When the magnetic connection is broken, the light comes on. I'll have to keep looking it up.

 

[FamilyTank]

Post if you find something simpler/easier than a push button switch.

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[DamonG]

Yes, something like this. An apex is a long time down the road for me, if at all, so I'll need something simpler.

I think it can be done with some sort of magnet on the door, similar to the way home door alarms work. When the magnetic connection is broken, the light comes on. I'll have to keep looking it up.

That's how it's done.. with a magnetic door switch. Same ones used in alarm systems.. Otherwise, you will have to have something electronic tell the switch what the status is.. That is where the apex comes in. With the programming that looks for the change in the circuit..

from note 7

 

[CindyK]

Post if you find something simpler/easier than a push button switch.

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I don't know if you consider this "simpler/easier" or not...but I am going to go with something similar to this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_sv3XY5bY0

 

[LXXero]

i actually have some leftover from my alarm system wiring so i might do the door switch thing, or just a toggle. Thing with the door switch is, you really need more than just one, one per door really, and probably wired in series, so opening all or any doors will result in "open" condition and the lights turning on.

I ended up buying LED tape lights, RGB, from home depot. They seem perfect but I haven't installed them yet. Even have a remote control which is ridiculous, now i got a remote for my under tank lights, lol.

I may try to drive them from my 24V apex accessory port by using a 12v step down adapter, as it would save an outlet and also possibly save me the $50 for this 12v power supply that goes with these LEDs. Plus it's switchable just like an outlet, so could use with the magnetic switches no problem. I'll have to report back how that works. I think these LED's are within it's capacity anyway.

 

[sleepydoc]

I got tape LEDs from Lowes, think they were like $24, comes w/ a remote and changes colors, works really cool for me, I can put on color shift mode which looks neat w/ my glass doors or flick on bright white when I'm working in there.
I got a 4' length that fits under my 120g perfectly

Ditto - except I got the cheap ones that are only white. :fun4: they came with a switch that I mounted inside the door - haven't made ne of those fancy systems that turn them on automatically yet

 

[Alf500series]

I bought a set of 3 circular led lights from Lowe's for like $11. They are battery powered so you can stick them wherever. I've had pretty good luck with them so far.

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[Alf500series]

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[BigDave]

The Utilitech 3-lights are on clearance at Lowe's right now. I think I paid $13 for ones that were normally $30 or so.

 

[LXXero]

my lowes selection of under-counter lights was pitiful. even the employee there was like ashamed, basically was complaining how understocked they were, lol. Fortunately i did get what i needed at home depot...but it wasn't cheap...$30 woulda been nice, lol....will need to take some pics once i get it installed.

 

[bigzman]

I did Amazon led strip inside. With remote control. Didn't care for colors as I close stand.

This is the light at 50 percent