Low profile led lighting options

[Han]

I have a 75 gallon tank with a fluval sea 3.0 light. The light sits on the rim of the tank, which has a glass lid. It’s a decent light and I’ve had coral growth with it, however compared to my AI Hydras on my other tanks the corals just dont “pop” or grow nearly as fast.

My problem is that the tank is located near my TV, so I’m trying to avoid light spill. The fluval is good for this since it sits so low on the tank. I’m not a fan of how canopies look either. Does anyone know of any better low profile led lights that could sit on the rim of the tank or the glass lid? Thanks

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hello,

I believe reef breeders are similar. I’m not familiar with the Fluval. BRS has them.

Photon 24-V2+

The Photon V2+ breaks away from the ugly “Black Boxes” of the past, boasting high-end hardware with a beautiful slim profile at an affordable price. The Photon series is ReefBreeders flagship line of lights, and the second generation of the Photons brings many features you would expect from...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

You’re going to have a tough time with this request since we’re learning that a lot of LED fixtures need to be 12”+ over our tanks.

The AI series should all have 3D printable covers. If you don’t have a 3D printer then you can have someone print it for you. I think Kessil & T5 lights are going to have the lowest mounting heights. The T5 will need LED supplements to really pop.

What corals are you growing? Another option could be the Orbit Marine lights. They’re not super powerful but a couple of those over your tank should give you the pop you’re looking for, and should be able to grow softies & LPS.

Last option for this could be to add a Reef Brite or Orphek bar to your tank to supplement your Fluval. Get the full blue spectrum and that’ll definitely add a pop.

 

[Han]

Hello,

I believe reef breeders are similar. I’m not familiar with the Fluval. BRS has them.

Photon 24-V2+

The Photon V2+ breaks away from the ugly “Black Boxes” of the past, boasting high-end hardware with a beautiful slim profile at an affordable price. The Photon series is ReefBreeders flagship line of lights, and the second generation of the Photons brings many features you would expect from...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

That reef breeders light looks nice, I wonder how low it could be mounted.

 

[slojim]

Reefi reviews in this forum claim to spill very little light.

 

[Han]

You’re going to have a tough time with this request since we’re learning that a lot of LED fixtures need to be 12”+ over our tanks.

The AI series should all have 3D printable covers. If you don’t have a 3D printer then you can have someone print it for you. I think Kessil & T5 lights are going to have the lowest mounting heights. The T5 will need LED supplements to really pop.

What corals are you growing? Another option could be the Orbit Marine lights. They’re not super powerful but a couple of those over your tank should give you the pop you’re looking for, and should be able to grow softies & LPS.

Last option for this could be to add a Reef Brite or Orphek bar to your tank to supplement your Fluval. Get the full blue spectrum and that’ll definitely add a pop.

Right now growing softies and lps, though I do plan on dabbling in sps once the tank gets a little older. I’ll check out those options you listed, thanks.

 

[Han]

Reefi reviews in this forum claim to spill very little light.

Haven’t heard of that light, i’ll look into it.

 

[oreo54]

I have a 75 gallon tank with a fluval sea 3.0 light. The light sits on the rim of the tank, which has a glass lid. It’s a decent light and I’ve had coral growth with it, however compared to my AI Hydras on my other tanks the corals just dont “pop” or grow nearly as fast.

My problem is that the tank is located near my TV, so I’m trying to avoid light spill. The fluval is good for this since it sits so low on the tank. I’m not a fan of how canopies look either. Does anyone know of any better low profile led lights that could sit on the rim of the tank or the glass lid? Thanks

Why not just add another Fluval?

MARINE SPECTRUM LED
14517

 

[Han]

Why not just add another Fluval?

I’ve considered that, but I don’t think that would do anything to make the corals “pop”. I’m sure it would help with growth but I’d like a light that will really bring out the colors in the corals, and provide decent par. I’m not sure if just doubling the existing light would do that.

 

[oreo54]

I’ve considered that, but I don’t think that would do anything to make the corals “pop”. I’m sure it would help with growth but I’d like a light that will really bring out the colors in the corals, and provide decent par. I’m not sure if just doubling the existing light would do that.

The Awesome 45" sBox Extreme WiFi for your Saltwater Aquarium

Not all black boxes are created equal! We will put our growth rates and coral color up against any saltwater or reef LED lights

sbreeflights.com

You could pop all the lenses off and then either lower it or set it on the glass w/ some breathing room..

At low mountings you have some geometry issues to deal with.. 90 degree or less will punch light at the expense of possible more disco and less front/back coverage at top to mid levels.
Lights like the Fluval are lensed 120 degrees, better spread but less PAR at depth..

Bigger lights are designed for more space from water surface to light at 90 degrees or less.
For really full tank coverage (top/bottom, front/back) you would need 2 of whatever or 4 if puck style.
Of course it will have less blending at that short of a distance..

Cheapest thing is like 2 Mars Aqua's w/ the lenses removed or 120's put in their place but 2 channel manual spectrum control unless you get the better models that are like the sbreef one.

Doubling the Fluval may hit 80 PAR at 17" and 200-ish mid tank BUT w/ full spectrum.
The diodes and channels themselves are capable of "popping' corals w/ the pink and white dialed down (or off) but of course costs you in par.
You can test that yourself. If it doesn't could just be low par isn't stimulating a lot of pigment production.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fluval-sea-marine-and-reef-3-0-review.546641/

Fluval Marine reef 3.0 review

For all those curious I’m doing a review of the Fluval Marine reef 3.0 for a low tech light it’s pretty good, the app is decent although without a par meter you might find yourself lost adjusting the spectrums the light by itself will support softies however for any LPS and SPS corals I would...

www.reef2reef.com

Reefi uses reflectors so less glare but still need height.
There is one other marine LED that uses reflectors but ATM can't remember which one but again, are made to hang high.

 

[hyprc]

If you want less light spill you're basically going to have to mount lower than ideal, turn them down in intensity, and buy more of those lights for proper coverage, for any light pretty much. Ideal (but ridiculously overpriced) in my opinion would be gen5 Radions hung from the ceiling (low profile) at about 7" above the tank but plenty of good options out there, including just getting another of the light you already have... probably want to do that in this case since you're looking for something that will sit on the rim of the tank.

 

[oreo54]

Suppose I could include just adding light bars like an Orphek. Think you can request different lenses. Maybe sbreef bars as well.

 

[hyprc]

If you wanna go cheap, I might suggest getting a couple of the AliE bars, just throw one on either side of the Fluval and you should have plenty of pop and extra par.

 

[Han]

Found my current usa truelumen led strips from my first tank, put a blue/white one and a blue one on the glass lid next to the fluval. They’re only 36” (tank is 48”) but they seem to bring out the colors in the corals quite a bit more than just the fluval. 1st pic is with just the fluval, 2nd is with the fluval and truelumens.

I’ll get something better eventually, unfortunately I’m also limited by this ac duct located directly above the tank which means I can’t hang anything from the ceiling easily.