DIY Submersible Nano AIO Refugium Grow Light

[Neil Cohen]

Seeded the mesh with some GHA and it is spreading. Each bay of the filter sock frame has three panels of knitting plastic that is half in water and half out. The water flows over the top and then down the panels few days of growth getting hopeful

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

I built my own underwater refugium lights. I've had some on 18 hours a day for 3 years now.

 

[Neil Cohen]

I built my own underwater refugium lights. I've had some on 18 hours a day for 3 years now.

Where were you a few weeks ago? So much easier than my over thinking brain led me to believe. Very cool. And I didn’t know that it doesn’t stick to pvc.

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

Where were you a few weeks ago? So much easier than my over thinking brain led me to believe. Very cool. And I didn’t know that it doesn’t stick to pvc.

Same place I'm always at these days, work.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

To have some really old Heater Tubes, and have thought about doing this. Where did you get the LED’s and the Rubber Stopper, is it Silicone Rubber?

 

[bishoptf]

I built my own underwater refugium lights. I've had some on 18 hours a day for 3 years now.

Thread bump, was wondering how these worked out and if they are still going strong, just looking for an update.

 

[Starganderfish]

I built my own underwater refugium lights. I've had some on 18 hours a day for 3 years now.

That’s really cool. I was originally going to go with something very much like this idea. Was tossing up between silicone and epoxy/casting acrylic. I ended up just using a test tube and have been super happy with it.
If I was to return to my original plan/adapt this idea, I would probably use LED strip lights rather than taking the time soldering together multiple individual LED’s. just easier that way. You can get 5m rolls for pretty cheap, waterproof ones that have a clear rubber coating or regular ones without the rubber - probably use the regular to increase heat dissipation if encasing.
I do like how this one is disposable and uses easy to acquire materials. Sourcing the test tubes/glass tubing is the most expensive and annoying part of my ones.
Using LED strips for speed and ease of assembly, you could easily mass produce these cast versions for sale or to stock up for the long term.
My worries would be of the acrylic going brittle and cracking over time under the exposure to saltwater, heat and light. Glass, while more breakable, is more resistant to long term wear.
The other worry is the yellowing of the acrylic and eventually going cloudy/opaque - but that’s were them being disposable comes in. Very nice.
I’ve been running my test tube light for almost 3 months now on my 4 gal and it works amazing - the chaeto grows well and nutrients are stripped out quick and easy. I have an overpriced Tunze version on my 20 gal and I actually think my DIY works better. The light is more evenly spread on the Tunze rather than the distinct points of light on my DIY, but my 20 gals chamber is regularly overwhelmed with nuisance algae and neither chaeto or Ulva tend to be able to compete. May be a light spectrum thing? The lights on the Tunze are pinkish while the DIY is distinct deep red and scattered blue.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

When this was originally posted, I saw some Glass Test Tubes on Amazon, where the inside dimensions were 1-1/2” Seems like they had 1” too.

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

Thread bump, was wondering how these worked out and if they are still going strong, just looking for an update.

I’ve had no issues with the lights I made in the video. I’ll take a current picture of them when I get a chance.

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

Updated pictures as promised.

 

[SanFernandoValleyAIOReef]

I’m looking for a way to potentially grow chaeto in the rear middle chamber of my AIO Waterbox Peninsula 15 gallon. After searching for submersible lights and not finding many small options, I’m considering DIY.

After finding some YouTube inspiration, I have a prototype. I purchased a cheap $7 USB LED grow light strip that is customizable for length off of Amazon. My plan is to place the light strip in a test tube for extra water resistance (the light strip isn’t submersion rated, only water resistant). Then I can silicone the end of the test tube shut.

I still have to find a way to keep the tube submerged in the water, ideally with the siliconed end above the water line to help with water resistance.

thoughts? This is just a prototype and I might try to find a slightly longer glass tube to allow it to hold more of the LED before I trim the strip, but you get the idea.

They have 10-15$ submersible lights 7in tall & made by known brands like hygger and nicrew, are you looking on Amazon?

 

[SanFernandoValleyAIOReef]

They have 10-15$ submersible lights 7in tall & made by known brands like hygger and nicrew, are you looking on Amazon? Lol & I’m about to try one out in my IM 30L