What light for a 25G is quiet?

Mangimi · Oct 12, 2023

Hi

I have a waterbox 25G peninsula, currently running an AI HD 16 prime. I hate that light. The app is good and the light looks nice. I've added thermal paste already to quieten it done some. However, running it at more than 30w is a PITA. Why is that thing so loud?

I am very bothered by noise, so what for some might be a slight hum will drive me nuts. If you can hear it I don't want it. Also, the tank is currently set up in my office and I need silence to focus on work.

What options do I have? I would like to be able to get at least 50w into the tank without losing my mind. I love the ATI Straton Flex 51, but it's very pricy. On the plus side, it's a ton of light and it'll never make a noise. What else is there? I don't want any larger AI or Radion. AI's decision not to use thermal paste is a no go, I wish I never bought that thing. Regarding Ecotech: everything I ever had from them was noisy as. Super expensive and not suitable for a quiet room.

What else is there? Are there some chinese solutions that have no annoying fans? I'm considering to glue my AI prime on a large heat sink and to cover it in acrylic. Back in the day I made my own light with two silent computer fans. That thing was great. Around 50w on 26G, it grew corals like crazy and it was almost inaudible. If I could I'd rather buy something that works out of the box than to DIY since I have a full time job, a two month old baby and a PhD to complete... So please if any of you have some ideas?

TangerineSpeedo · Oct 12, 2023

Kessel A80 and some AI Blades.
Or these. They use the mount as a active cooling.

Illumagic Pixel

SELECT HOW MANY PIXELS + SELECT POWER SUPPLY (SINGLE, DOUBLE, OR QUAD) A spectrum for everyone. A use case for anyone. The same silicone lenses that come with a lifetime warranty. Designed for versatility. The perfect circle, with a diameter of only 10.5cm" and paper thin at 2.7cm. Slide the...

uniquecorals.com

nereefpat · Oct 12, 2023

T5 fixtures are quiet. Mine doesn't have a fan. It's an older Tek brand. Metal halides would be silent too.

Reefi Unos have PID fan with a great heatsink and cooling system, so those should be really quiet, especially since you would have them turned way down on a 25 gallon.

RedoubtReef · Oct 12, 2023

I second a T5 fixture.

Mangimi · Oct 13, 2023

Unfortunately, T5 is extinct here in Europe.

As of August this year, there will be no new T5 bulb brought to market anymore. My go-to shop has a total of two 24W ATI T5 bubls left in stock. No new ones will follow.

oreo54 · Oct 13, 2023

Mangimi said:
Unfortunately, T5 is extinct here in Europe.

As of August this year, there will be no new T5 bulb brought to market anymore. My go-to shop has a total of two 24W ATI T5 bubls left in stock. No new ones will follow.

You should be able to find some fanless Popbloom lights from China.

Or at least you could at one time. They ran the LEDs " lighter" in order to not need a fan.

The 30w may be fanless

You may need 2.
I'd ask them.

S50 as well

PopBloom S50 Reef Timer Control LED Aquarium Light Full Spectrum Reef Coral 791306524962 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for PopBloom S50 Reef Timer Control LED Aquarium Light Full Spectrum Reef Coral at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

This rebranded Micmole will put 60w over a 600mm wide tank

Prism II LED Light Fixture - Marine

Thinner. Lighter. Smarter. The new thinner and lighter AquaMaxx Prism II controllable full HD spectrum LED fixture is created from 100% recycled aluminum. Its brushed silver, ultra-slim profile design gives it an aesthetic edge over the competition, and its updated external smart controller...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Micmol direct:

LED aquarium light, LED lights, Nano reef aquarium, Reef Builders, Reef and Marine Aquarium Blog, Aqua mini, Aqua Pro, LED nano, micmol

micmol.com

Ap-600 is 80w

Air Pro LED Aquarium Light | MicMol

The MicMol Air Pro LED aquarium light features full HD spectrum with HD glass, 2023 latest 10 bands LED array, and iMicMol app control. Available in multiple sizes for tanks 18-55 inches.

micmol.com

robotrash · Oct 13, 2023

nereefpat said:
T5 fixtures are quiet. Mine doesn't have a fan. It's an older Tek brand. Metal halides would be silent too.

Reefi Unos have PID fan with a great heatsink and cooling system, so those should be really quiet, especially since you would have them turned way down on a 25 gallon.

Seconding the Reefi Uno 2.0 Pros. I run mine about 30-35% over a 20G and it's whisper quiet but I'm also not hyper sensitive to that stuff. I will say the nuvoskim DC skimmer is the most audible piece of equipment I have and that's still super quiet.

Floyd- · Oct 16, 2023

I have a 24" reefbreeder light on my 25g lagoon tank. I never hear the fan kick in because its only ran at 45% max on the blue channels.

SteveMM62Reef · Oct 27, 2023

21LEDUSA Dot Com, no fans, just a good designed heat sink. I don‘t like their 10” ReefBar Pros though. They used a different Chip in them, and they aren’t as nice as the longer ReefBar Pros.