Fluval Evo 13.5 Light Upgrades

CrazyDuck959

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Ok so I want to upgrade the light on my Fluval Evo. Everything I read said that the AI Prime is the best light. But for me 200$ is a lot for a light. I found a few alternatives that I wanted to ask if anybody had experience with them. If you all don’t think any are adequate for my tank please let me know. And let me know if any of you all have better alternatives. If I absolutely need to I can get the AI prime, but that’s kinda a last option. I will list the alternatives below.

NICREW 30W Reef LED Aquarium Light
NICREW 30W Reef LED Reef Light
Lominie LED Aquarium Light

AI Prime 16 HD Reef Aquarium LED (Last Resort Due To Price)

Thanks in advance!
 
First, if you remove the canopy to upgrade the light your evaporation goes through the roof - requiring daily top-ups and/or an ATO. Second, while I don't own a Fluval EVO 13.5 - I've talked to a few folks locally that upgraded the stock light to the Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 Bluetooth LED (15-24") as this can sit in the existing bracket in the canopy. Just an idea to mull around.
 
First, if you remove the canopy to upgrade the light your evaporation goes through the roof - requiring daily top-ups and/or an ATO. Second, while I don't own a Fluval EVO 13.5 - I've talked to a few folks locally that upgraded the stock light to the Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 Bluetooth LED (15-24") as this can sit in the existing bracket in the canopy. Just an idea to mull around.
Oh it’s does fit, do you know if this has the proper lighting colors?
 
From what I've been told, yes. You can program any color spectrum you want through bluetooth - including a schedule, etc.
Well here is the update, I made a special modification so that it perfectly fits the spot. I might show how I did it in my build thread. But it is almost perfect other then the fact the light is a slight bit higher on one side then the other. But other then that it’s perfect! Thanks again for your recommendation! I owe you big time!
 

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I think that in the long run you will end up buying an AI anyway. The other lights just don’t cut it or give you room for future higher end coral. I tried what your doing and the evaporation loss was resolved with an ato. Last two pics are with a filter, 13.5 gallon mixed.
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remove the lid, install an autoaqua ato (cheap and it work great), get a mesh lid from Aquonics (google them), then go with the AI Prime.
 

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