How do you light up your sumps?

[SPR1968]

I've had my tank for around 18 months now which is a Red Sea Max S 650 and I'm still using a LED torch when working in the sump under the tank

I'm thinking of getting some LED lights or strips with maybe colour changing ability (to make it look more appealing! Lol) and just wondered what everyone uses ?

 

[Jamie Allbritton]

I have an eshopps LED mounted to my sump and strip LED around the inside of the stand. The LED strip has 6 different colors to choose from and lights the sump very well

 

[lawise]

I've had my tank for around 18 months now which is a Red Sea Max S 650 and I'm still using a LED torch when working in the sump under the tank

I'm thinking of getting some LED lights or strips with maybe colour changing ability (to make it look more appealing! Lol) and just wondered what everyone uses ?

I got some under counter Puck lights at Sam's They do have different colors and they have a remote control on them with actually a timer to turn them off in like 10 minutes 30 minutes 1 hour and 2 hours which I think was pretty neat. I mounted four at the very top of my cabinet under my tank one in each Corner doesn't make a lot of light but enough to see when it's dark.

 

[Forsaken77]

I've had my tank for around 18 months now which is a Red Sea Max S 650 and I'm still using a LED torch when working in the sump under the tank

I'm thinking of getting some LED lights or strips with maybe colour changing ability (to make it look more appealing! Lol) and just wondered what everyone uses ?

I use this LED strip light that I screw into the top back inside the stand. You can link multiples together and one is 20 inches long, thoufh I think you can get them shorter. The power switch is by the plug end as well, so you don't have to get underneath to turn it on. Works great for the last 2 years.

 

[Forsaken77]

I use this LED strip light that I screw into the top back inside the stand. You can link multiples together and one is 20 inches long, thoufh I think you can get them shorter. The power switch is by the plug end as well, so you don't have to get underneath to turn it on. Works great for the last 2 years.

Oh, and it doesn't grow any algae in the sump either.

 

[SPR1968]

I use this LED strip light that I screw into the top back inside the stand. You can link multiples together and one is 20 inches long, thoufh I think you can get them shorter. The power switch is by the plug end as well, so you don't have to get underneath to turn it on. Works great for the last 2 years.

Thanks for the heads up on these, and also everyone else who replied which pointed me in the right direction

I've just ordered a similar set of the LED strips (6!) here in the UK from Amazon. Might not use all 6 so will keep a few led strips as spares.

 

[Flameback Pair]

I light my cabinet with an A80 Tuna Blue Kessil. It's bright enough to light up the cabinet and still grow macro in the sump on my RSR 250. I have color and intensity on a schedule with my Apex. I got the Tuna Blue a couple of months before they came out with the A80 Flora but would rather have the Flora.

 

[BigHildy53]

I use a headlamp when I need to work under the tank. A SureFire Maximus™ Rechargeable Variable-Output LED Headlamp.

 

[recess62]

Led light strip around periphery plugged into apex controlled by magnetic switches on doors so when doors open lights come on. I have kessil refuge light over the sump

 

[Forsaken77]

Thanks for the heads up on these, and also everyone else who replied which pointed me in the right direction

I've just ordered a similar set of the LED strips (6!) here in the UK from Amazon. Might not use all 6 so will keep a few led strips as spares.

I don't know if you got the same brand I linked to (Westek), but they're very bright and haven't corroded at all. Just putting them along the back will light up the whole cabinet. You don't need to go along the sides with these.

Right now I've had 1 bar (20 inches) under my 93 cube (30 inches long) for 2 years and it's still as bright as when I bought it. I made sure to recently buy 3 more for my 180 gallon that's in the works. That little wire links them all together so you only need the 1 power cord for multiple units. It's a huge help to just flick a switch OUTSIDE the cabinet and your whole stand lights up for maintenance and you don't have to worry about growing micro algae from it and zero heat. Glad I could help.

The only thing I've ever wondered about is if you screw multiple things into the stand, if it'll make the tank unlevel or compromise the stands integrity at all. I think I may use velcro when putting these lights in my new tanks stand. They weigh almost nothing so velcro will definitely hold them up if you didn't want to put holes in the stand

 

[SPR1968]

I don't know if you got the same brand I linked to (Westek), but they're very bright and haven't corroded at all. Just putting them along the back will light up the whole cabinet. You don't need to go along the sides with these.

Right now I've had 1 bar (20 inches) under my 93 cube (30 inches long) for 2 years and it's still as bright as when I bought it. I made sure to recently buy 3 more for my 180 gallon that's in the works. That little wire links them all together so you only need the 1 power cord for multiple units. It's a huge help to just flick a switch OUTSIDE the cabinet and your whole stand lights up for maintenance and you don't have to worry about growing micro algae from it and zero heat. Glad I could help.

The only thing I've ever wondered about is if you screw multiple things into the stand, if it'll make the tank unlevel or compromise the stands integrity at all. I think I may use velcro when putting these lights in my new tanks stand. They weigh almost nothing so velcro will definitely hold them up if you didn't want to put holes in the stand

Yes I was wondering about the screws. I intend to put them under the top of the cabinet (under the tank) so was thinking about wether to screw them in or use Velcro. I'll just have to see how heavy they are when they arrive but probably weigh very little like you say. If the screws are small enough I might use them but Velcro would be easier.

The ones I got are here as I couldn't see Westek ones here in the UK

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00WJME80U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've just ordered some heavy duty Velcro as that's seems a much better idea. The heavy duty is suitable for outdoor/damp conditions so hopefully should be ok

 

[SPR1968]

Led light strip around periphery plugged into apex controlled by magnetic switches on doors so when doors open lights come on. I have kessil refuge light over the sump

That's a very nice colourful set up. I like the lights around the sides.

It's very interesting to see how everyone has their sumps set up in different ways and different ideas.

 

[Forsaken77]

Yes I was wondering about the screws. I intend to put them under the top of the cabinet (under the tank) so was thinking about wether to screw them in or use Velcro. I'll just have to see how heavy they are when they arrive but probably weigh very little like you say. If the screws are small enough I might use them but Velcro would be easier.

The ones I got are here as I couldn't see Westek ones here in the UK

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00WJME80U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've just ordered some heavy duty Velcro as that's seems a much better idea. The heavy duty is suitable for outdoor/damp conditions so hopefully should be ok

Those I would mount above your cabinet door and around one side because you have to touch the led strip to turn it on. Your Amazon does have westek but they're grossly expensive. The 10 inch size was three times the cost of the 20 inch size here.

 

[SPR1968]

Well I’ve installed the new lights and done write up on my build thread:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/shauns-red-sea-max-s-650-led-design-build.309184/page-8

 

[Salty1962]

26W LED flood light on a neck, Cost me $20.

 

[Cuong]

I run a OxyLed 20led motion sensor light. It charges with any mini usb in minutes.... Lasts for months.... Attaches easily on a magnetic strip. AND IT'S BRIGHT AS $#!T Oh yeah, cheap too...
https://www.amazon.com/OxyLED-Light...76&sr=8-4&keywords=oxyled+motion+sensor+light
Something cool about not having to flick a switch everytime..

 

[madweazl]

Clip on fixtures with CFLs.

 

[Zoagasm77]

Just some pics of my setup