thebanker's Fluval Edge Reef
- Thread starter thebanker
- Start date
SkullV, thank you, the LEDs are amazing. I did a quick trial run, and they're a huge improvement. For now, they're safely in their cases.
I forgot to pick up some clear nail polish, but I'll be doing that tomorrow to seal them. After applying clear nail polish, how long should I wait to install them? I don't want to rush that step, nail polish vapor is nasty stuff.
I forgot to pick up some clear nail polish, but I'll be doing that tomorrow to seal them. After applying clear nail polish, how long should I wait to install them? I don't want to rush that step, nail polish vapor is nasty stuff.
Time for a little pictorial update.
Here is the 10W 50/50 bulb I attached. I fabricated a fixture for it out of home depot parts and electrical tape. It really needs a reflector, since most of the light seems to be absorbed by the black hood. So I'm going to attempt to make a reflector... somehow. I'm considering buying chrome paint from pep boys and painting the inside of the hood. The 50/50 bulb really adds a beautiful color to the tank. I'm going to poke around the LFS circuit for some good alternative bulbs. I thought of using a blue home depot CFL, but they are too wide to fit.
Here is one of the MR11 LED's sent to me by SkullV, next to the MR11 halogen. Big props to SkullV for being an awesome guy. Note the open circuitry.
I installed one of the LED's to see how it looks in the tank. After this I took it out, because I have to seal them with nail polish before the permanent install. Note the difference in color temperature.
This is the comparison, with the configuration you see above. Halogen on the left, LED on the right. The MR11 LEDs make a big difference in light spread and color temperature. Note the limes placed on the corners of the tank, a popular configuration that makes it easy to grab limes when you need them for your beers.
Here is the 10W 50/50 bulb I attached. I fabricated a fixture for it out of home depot parts and electrical tape. It really needs a reflector, since most of the light seems to be absorbed by the black hood. So I'm going to attempt to make a reflector... somehow. I'm considering buying chrome paint from pep boys and painting the inside of the hood. The 50/50 bulb really adds a beautiful color to the tank. I'm going to poke around the LFS circuit for some good alternative bulbs. I thought of using a blue home depot CFL, but they are too wide to fit.
Here is one of the MR11 LED's sent to me by SkullV, next to the MR11 halogen. Big props to SkullV for being an awesome guy. Note the open circuitry.
I installed one of the LED's to see how it looks in the tank. After this I took it out, because I have to seal them with nail polish before the permanent install. Note the difference in color temperature.
This is the comparison, with the configuration you see above. Halogen on the left, LED on the right. The MR11 LEDs make a big difference in light spread and color temperature. Note the limes placed on the corners of the tank, a popular configuration that makes it easy to grab limes when you need them for your beers.
Last edited:
bdwilson
New member
You can use that shiny alluminum Ductwork tape to create a reflector. I used it on a couple different projects and it is shinier than chrome paint. It's works pretty good and it's fast and easy to do.
SkullV
They Got My Number
What a lot of fluval edge guys do is get a Mylar balloon, cut it and use the inside (extremely reflective) to coat the inside of the hood.
SkullV
They Got My Number
Oh man I forgot how much better these look with the white LEDs. When I had mine I also zip tied a couple of these:
http://www.oznium.com/led-flex-strips
in Blue to the light bar to add some "actinic" supplementation. Worked really well and they are waterproof.
http://www.oznium.com/led-flex-strips
in Blue to the light bar to add some "actinic" supplementation. Worked really well and they are waterproof.
This is what I did. Honestly, I don't know if I can see a major difference. The one thing that is nice, I used it to block the PC bulb from bleeding out through the hood. Hopefully it will also block salt spatter from rusting the hood. It seems like all the old Fluval Edge tanks are experiencing a little rust on the mesh part of the hood.
SkullV - Those look great, I'm going to consider buying a few strips and ziptie-ing them on. The PC bulb does so little to improve the look...
SkullV
They Got My Number
It's these guys right here:
http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=541
You can also jam a larger MR16 bulb in there, but you have to make a really waterproof splash shield for it since they sit VERY close to the water line.
TeaspoonKitty
New member
Looks tight. I just got my 12 gallon in that came with the new LED lights. Hope I can figure out this saltwater business...
xoxo
Kitty
xoxo
Kitty
