DIY LED retrofit...maybe?

[fyrfytr]

Not sure how hard this is going to be, but I want to retrofit my exhisting canopy to have LED lighting. I have an Aqueon T8 fixture that I am wanting to strip out and put the LEDs in to keep the stock/factory look to it but still have all of the benifits of LED lighting

 

[Socoreefer]

I did the same to my coralife mh/t5 hood when it blew out, did the whole DIY 43 3w lights with drivers and controller ! Keep your fans in the hood too !

 

[ReefLEDLights]

What are the inside dimensions?

Bill

 

[fyrfytr]

@Soco thanks for the tips and inspiration

@ReefLED I do not know, I will look when I get home. I was more putting it out there to see if this is something that would even be possible or if this is something that isnt worth the effort. I am all for DIY

 

[Trevdawg]

Any update. I would be interested in doing something like this also

 

[grumpy-crab]

Try this site... they have complete retro kits that u can pick one for your size and application... Rapid LED

 

[fyrfytr]

@trevdwag. No update on the LED...just had all my fish un my tank die within 3 days. Last thing that went into the tank was rubble and sand from an online retailer. Few days later I noticed something extremely small on the tank. I had just redone my aquascape and had a small avalanche, so I thought I had knicked the tank. Now a week later these things are all over my tank and I have 5 (close to $100) dead fish. My snails and shrimp are just fine though. Suprise suprise, the retailer is taking no responsibility for anything. So I have a crushed 3yr old cuz his nemo died, and a ****** off wife that I "wasted all that money on a stupid fish tank". So thanks to this retailer, probably going to end up out of the hobby

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[Trevdawg]

I hear ya. Been there before.

 

[grumpy-crab]

Did u identify what it was? And how long have u had the tank set up?

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[fyrfytr]

the thread is still up...still no ID wife said she got some good pics of it with out new DSLR, hope to upload tomorrow

 

[grumpy-crab]

I only asked because if its still a newer tank then you could have a spike and thats what killed your fish. with out knowing your ammonia nitrite and nitrate levels to rule them out

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[fyrfytr]

From day 1 the levels have been about the same. The introduction of the sand and rubble did nothing for the ammonia, but did bring down nitrates

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[fyrfytr]

So tank is cycling well (i think). Nitrites are at 0 and have been...nitrates are coming down (currently less then 5 but greater then 0) and ammonia is coming down (currenly less then .25 but greater then 0). Getting excited for this possible retrofit in the not too far off future once I get som fish back in my tank

 

[dorky]

Just remember to go slow if u going to add more rock later then to it now. Also when come to adding fish try to add one or pair of fish slowly. It give the tank enough time to adjust and make it stable.

 

[fyrfytr]

NAH I think I have all the rock I want now. I have some more in the garage ($1/lb from local reefer) but if I ever add it I will soak it in some tank water first...but I dont see a lot of changing right now

 

[dorky]

Good just keep testing the water make sure tht nothing is spiking before u add fish I recommend cheap fish not damsel cuz they too hardy

 

[fyrfytr]

Next to the green chromis....around here the damsels are the cheapest fish

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[dorky]

If u going to go with damsel just understand y they so cheap cuz they aggressive n hardy. I would go with chromise because if something happen n then it would be easy to fix the problem before u add anymore fish. If U go with damsel they don't die easy and when u add the fish and it die quick well for two reasons one could be the water param two could be damsel attacked so like I say it really up to u no pressure