Cheap Amazon Light for a 29G QT?

[Mike.P]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a cheap black box to use on my QT? I bought a used Biocube 29, and everything inside of the hood is pretty corroded, so I'm probably just going to cut it out of there, and toss it.

I see tons of them on Amazon, but it's all pretty high powered, 140w, 165w, somewhere there. The tank will just have fish, maybe a softie frag or two, maybe a nem here and there.

I would prefer a built in timer, but that's not a big deal. Please let me know your thoughts, and thank you!

 

[James M]

Aquakight ?

 

[Hitman]

Why are you planning on putting frags and nems in your QT tank? Or is this a coral only QT tank?

 

[Mike.P]

Why are you planning on putting frags and nems in your QT tank? Or is this a coral only QT tank?

I'm probably going to use this as a frag tank once the initial batch of fish is done; still in the process of building and rearranging, once that's done, I'll get another QT set up for fish. But this Biocube will just live in a utility closet, so I don't need anything fancy or pretty for it. lol

 

[Hitman]

For a QT tank ambient room lighting is all that’s needed so I would use that 2 to 3 month QT time it’s being used for your fish to save up for a good light for your corals when your ready for a frag light. No reason to buy a cheap light for QT then a better light for frags.

 

[asting]

I like the ledenet strips, which are pretty easy to retrofit.

 

[Mike.P]

For a QT tank ambient room lighting is all that’s needed so I would use that 2 to 3 month QT time it’s being used for your fish to save up for a good light for your corals when your ready for a frag light. No reason to buy a cheap light for QT then a better light for frags.

It's not really a saving up thing, more a why buy something fancy, if it doesn't need it thing? lol. I won't need Apex control, ramp up/down, etc.

But if I'm waiting anyway, the other thought I had is one of the new Red Sea ReefLED 50's... I already have 90's coming for my main, so I figure a 50 for that tank would work, and have all the controls in the same app.

*shrug* I just figured some kind of black box would be a quick and easy option.

 

[asting]

It's not really a saving up thing, more a why buy something fancy, if it doesn't need it thing? lol. I won't need Apex control, ramp up/down, etc.

But if I'm waiting anyway, the other thought I had is one of the new Red Sea ReefLED 50's... I already have 90's coming for my main, so I figure a 50 for that tank would work, and have all the controls in the same app.

*shrug* I just figured some kind of black box would be a quick and easy option.

That could work too. The small footprint would fit it nicely.

 

[oreo54]

It's not really a saving up thing, more a why buy something fancy, if it doesn't need it thing? lol. I won't need Apex control, ramp up/down, etc.

But if I'm waiting anyway, the other thought I had is one of the new Red Sea ReefLED 50's... I already have 90's coming for my main, so I figure a 50 for that tank would work, and have all the controls in the same app.

*shrug* I just figured some kind of black box would be a quick and easy option.

black boxes aren't really what they say...
and most have manual dimmers anyways.. so see no issue there..

If the light will be set low.. pop the lenses on one to go 120 degrees instead of 90..
add cheap wall timer.. Done..

There are all sorts of "oddball" lights out there..
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F5B5GRB/ref=psdc_2975458011_t5_B00N0PJK0S

Keep in mind most 90 degree lights are best at a higher height than what you are allowing IF you are planning on sticking it in the hood..

 

[Mike.P]

black boxes aren't really what they say...
and most have manual dimmers anyways.. so see no issue there..

If the light will be set low.. pop the lenses on one to go 120 degrees instead of 90..
add cheap wall timer.. Done..

There are all sorts of "oddball" lights out there..
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F5B5GRB/ref=psdc_2975458011_t5_B00N0PJK0S

Keep in mind most 90 degree lights are best at a higher height than what you are allowing IF you are planning on sticking it in the hood..

I was actually looking at that one earlier... I was going to rip out the factory junk from the underside, it's mostly corroded anyway. Then I was going to cut out a rectangle in the top, and put the light over that, assuming it would be a multiple emitter.

For one like this, I'd probably cut out a bigger section, and glue in egg crate to cover it, and then position the light at a proper height.

 

[Jon Fishman]

165W Mars Aqua will get the job done

 

[Mike.P]

165W Mars Aqua will get the job done

Of that, I have no doubt! lol. That was the first I looked at, I just figured that it's waaaaay too much power for a little 29. Or would it be okay?

 

[Jon Fishman]

Would probably be perfect. How deep is the tank?

 

[asting]

Mounting on eggcrate will make the light even more directional. I'd suggest a frame of sorts, with a mesh lid.

No need to replace lenses, just remove the stock. The light can be dimmed, so not overkill.

 

[salty_trout]

I have a black box on my qt, since I also grow red gracilaria in it. Im sure ambient light is enough for a qt, but I like to closely monitor my fish appearance and grow plants. Just started a coral qt (a year late) I beyond recommend it. It is lit by a black box, all blues.

 

[salty_trout]

I just get cheap ones from amazon that have good reviews and arent noisy. The names change often.

 

[oreo54]

165W Mars Aqua will get the job done

165W is "theoretical".. Real watts is closer to 100

Removal of lenses or not is a matter of where the light is placed and on what goal you want..
higher up smaller angle .. lower down larger angle
overall tank light vs more concentrated on the floor..

Again they all are manually dimmable as far as I can tell.

 

[Mike.P]

Would probably be perfect. How deep is the tank?

It's a Biocube, 21 inches deep or so.