RSM 250. Replace bulbs or retrofit hood?

[james30ct]

I am leaving the hood on. Taking it off is not an option for me. I actually like the look of it anyway.
Right now I am running only 5 bulbs + LED strip.
The 36" Reefbrite actinic strip BARELY fits.
Took a slight hood modification to get it installed, but I was pulling it apart to replace the fans anyway.(which I highly recommend... My temp dropped 2 degrees after replacing worn hood fans)
Strip fits just in front of screws for bulb hatch.

I angled it back slightly to get better coverage.

When closed, rests just barely between hinges.

The LED is plenty bright! This is with only the LED strip on.

For bulbs, I have:
2 blue plus
2 actinic
1 coral plus
I tried putting a purple plus in there, but it looked too purple for me. Another coral plus is on the way. I will try that when it gets here.

Does the reefbrite get wet?

 

[Dropped]

Keen to know how that reefbright is going @SamMule

 

[SamMule]

Nope. Doesn't get wet and adds a really nice shimmer. And of course, that actinic pop! It was a very tight fit, but it did fit nonetheless.

 

[Dropped]

Awesome, might have to do this myself!

any par measurements? although.... pretty hard to do once the top is closed haha.

 

[SamMule]

I don't have a par meter yet. Sorry. I can tell you there is plenty of light though. I have SPS getting too much light halfway up in the tank. Pulled 2 bulbs today to try and reduce PAR a bit.

 

[Dropped]

was it these ones? https://www.reefbrite.com/product/lumi-lite-led/

and what size did you get?

 

[SamMule]

Actinic Blue Lumi Lite Strip LED

Lumi Lite Blue Actinic LED Strips are the perfect way to add deep blue spectrum that will bring out the fluorescence in corals and other inhabitants while promoting growth. High powered LEDs have been carefully selected to create a multi-spectrum actinic light in the 420 to 440 nm range, making...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

This is what I got. The 36" one. Like I said, it was a very tight fit. Barely fits between the hinges.
Worth every penny though. Added excellent actinic pop.

 

[tattooed reefer]

Here's my tank with only 5 bulbs installed , 550 par just below water surface . I bought it 8 months ago it's pretty clean and all there paid $500 tank & stand , put new fans all the way around and new bulbs .

 

[JDadX3]

Thanks for this post. I'll be adding a Reef Brite to my RSM 250 aquarium. I wanted a new display tank since mine was all scratched up from aquascaping so I ended up buying a new display tank.

Anyone know what is the difference between the strip and this one?

Actinic Blue XHO LED Strip Light

Actinic Blue XHO lights were designed to bring out the fluorescence and pop in your corals, inverts, and fish. If you are looking to build your own custom fixture, or just need a single supplement light, Reef Brite's XHO series are ideal for all types of fish tanks, reef tanks, and sumps. You...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[SamMule]

I think the XHO has twice as many LED's per inch. I think it's quite a bit bigger too. You will have to compare dimensions. The LED strip barely fit, so I dunno how you would get one of those in there.

 

[JDadX3]

I think the XHO has twice as many LED's per inch. I think it's quite a bit bigger too. You will have to compare dimensions. The LED strip barely fit, so I dunno how you would get one of those in there.

Thanks that's very helpful. I was thinking of getting the 50/50 LED Strip one. I still had unused original RSM bulbs 3-10K and 3- Atinic. I figure this may be a good combo. Did you find yours was too blue?

 

[SamMule]

I suppose that's a matter of opinion.
I was very surprised at how bright the strip is. It does put out a lot of blue, but I don't see that being an issue.
Its easy to adjust your overall spectrum to a whiter color by using more low Kelvin bulbs.
Here's a pic of my tank right now with only 4 bulbs and the LED bar on.

Bulbs back to front are:
Blue+
Empty
Actinic
Coral +
Empty
Blue+
Actinic LED

Yes, it is pretty blue with these bulbs, but the camera makes it look bluer than it is.
Swap the coral plus out with an aquablue special or a 10k bulb and it really whitens things up.
Or go 2 coral plus on the ends and one blue+ in the middle.

 

[JDadX3]

Thanks. I’ll post. Pic when I put mine in: