Biocube 29 - Adding LED Strip?

AudiSportB5S4 · 04/11/2013, 09:46 AM

Hey there,

I currently have a 29g biocube with the stock lighting, which I'd like to keep that way since I don't really want to put too much into the tank being kind of small. I'd like to go a little larger when I can, but that's a year out at least. Anyway... I wanted to know if someone thinks it would work to put a 12" LED strip in there to make the water sparkle the way it does when the moonlights are on. Also, would it fit?

I found this product @ Marine Depot - http://www.marinedepot.com/Ecoxotic_...FILDLK-vi.html

Appreciate any help!

corvette_girl20 · 05/18/2013, 08:41 AM

I want to know the same thing, is there any reason to have to do the entire LED upgrade? Funds don't allow that right now

griseum · 05/18/2013, 08:46 AM

I have a 29BC as well.

Don't know much about the Ecoxotic.

I added the TrueLumen LED strips to increase par and get that sparkle. The catch with the TrueLumen strips is you have to buy the step-down transformer and connection cables for every three strips you buy. This just increases purchase price from what you think your buying, just the LEDs. But I cant complain. I have the 9 watt white strip and 2 of their Actinic 3 watt strips.
With the stock PC lights and these LEDs, I am actually able to keep some of the easier SPS. Not acros though. LOL.

http://www.aquacave.com/Current-Usa-...ate-P3186.aspx

corvette_girl20 · 05/18/2013, 08:51 AM

Thank you, I was just looking at the TrueLumen strips. Does it tell you what you need with them? Or do I need to find it myself and add it to the cart?

griseum · 05/18/2013, 09:17 AM

It should say on any retail website that the power supply is sold separately. On the link I provided I believe that it tells you how many volts the power supply is and then back on the last page where you can look at Current USA TrueLumen products, at the bottom is the power supply unit for an additional price.
Hope that helps.

Even after watching the video for the Ecoxotic stunners on the link up top, it also says that the power supply for the stunner strips is sold separately. So it seems that all of these LED strips need their power units to be purchased separately.

that Fish Guy · 05/18/2013, 10:46 AM

I have heard of a lot of people upgrading their lighting withe Ecoxotic Stunner Strips.

Get their Pro versions though as they give off much much more light. (19 Watts vs. 6 Watts).

They are only 30.00 more than the regular Stunner Strips too. (70 instead of 40) and you get over 3 times the light.

With the RGB Strip you can change the colors with a Remote Control too which is very cool.

aandfsoccr04 · 05/18/2013, 12:06 PM

You could also just replace the stock lighting and go with all LEDs and be able to grow anything in your tank.

http://shop.stevesleds.com/Biocube-2...trofit-kit.htm

greech · 05/18/2013, 12:12 PM

+1 to steves or rapids LED conversion kits if you want to go all LED.

The stunners are a nice low wattage way to add some pop but I would not expect the stunner to show much when the PCs are on. It would be a great viewing light when the PCs are off.

The Panorama Pros are very nice. Not a high out put LED (although it could definitely grow some corals) but brighter than the stunners. I had one on my 40B and it pretty much lit up the whole tank when my T5s were off. Nothing too powerful but probably a better option that the stunner.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Ecoxotic_...FILDLK-vi.html

Windirmere · 05/18/2013, 01:02 PM

I went with rapid led's they have worked amazingly, Only regret is I didnt want to tinker with the drivers to run the lower amperage leds like the Violets,reds and greens. So my tank only has Cool white and Royal blues which have grown my corals amazingly but some seem to be missing a little bit of colour, On the other hand some of them look 100x better then from the LFS displays :S.
I have seen a Biocube where they gutted the hood and cut a hole in the top and mounted a Radion in it! Looked very sleek and that light is amazing, Im sure the same thing can be done with other fixtures like the reef breeders or Rapid Led Onyx

pkirby · 05/18/2013, 02:39 PM

I put 2 panorama pro strips in my 29 biocube in place of the stock lighting. I skipped using the reflectors. I'm growing acro's, monti's, and various LPS corals. My growth has been very impressive IMO... Best since I started reef keeping almost 4 years ago. If you don't want to go all out yet I'd replace the actinic or 10k bulb with LED to add shimmer, and then down the road replace the second bulb. My only concern with this approach would be the heat from the stock bulb... Might affect the lifespan of the LED strip

04/11/2013, 09:46 AM	#1
AudiSportB5S4 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 286	Biocube 29 - Adding LED Strip? Hey there, I currently have a 29g biocube with the stock lighting, which I'd like to keep that way since I don't really want to put too much into the tank being kind of small. I'd like to go a little larger when I can, but that's a year out at least. Anyway... I wanted to know if someone thinks it would work to put a 12" LED strip in there to make the water sparkle the way it does when the moonlights are on. Also, would it fit? I found this product @ Marine Depot - http://www.marinedepot.com/Ecoxotic_...FILDLK-vi.html Appreciate any help!

05/18/2013, 08:46 AM	#3
griseum Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 823	I have a 29BC as well. Don't know much about the Ecoxotic. I added the TrueLumen LED strips to increase par and get that sparkle. The catch with the TrueLumen strips is you have to buy the step-down transformer and connection cables for every three strips you buy. This just increases purchase price from what you think your buying, just the LEDs. But I cant complain. I have the 9 watt white strip and 2 of their Actinic 3 watt strips. With the stock PC lights and these LEDs, I am actually able to keep some of the easier SPS. Not acros though. LOL. http://www.aquacave.com/Current-Usa-...ate-P3186.aspx Last edited by griseum; 05/18/2013 at 08:52 AM.

05/18/2013, 10:46 AM	#6
that Fish Guy Frag Swap Crusader! Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,538	I have heard of a lot of people upgrading their lighting withe Ecoxotic Stunner Strips. Get their Pro versions though as they give off much much more light. (19 Watts vs. 6 Watts). They are only 30.00 more than the regular Stunner Strips too. (70 instead of 40) and you get over 3 times the light. With the RGB Strip you can change the colors with a Remote Control too which is very cool. __________________ For a Complete List of all the Frag Swaps in 2018 Click the Link Below. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2655153 You do not want to miss any! Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon, 45 Gallon, 29 Gallon, 20 Gallon, 20 Gallon #2, 10 Gallon

05/18/2013, 12:06 PM	#7
aandfsoccr04 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 3,561	You could also just replace the stock lighting and go with all LEDs and be able to grow anything in your tank. http://shop.stevesleds.com/Biocube-2...trofit-kit.htm __________________ 120 gallon mixed reef

05/18/2013, 12:12 PM	#8
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	+1 to steves or rapids LED conversion kits if you want to go all LED. The stunners are a nice low wattage way to add some pop but I would not expect the stunner to show much when the PCs are on. It would be a great viewing light when the PCs are off. The Panorama Pros are very nice. Not a high out put LED (although it could definitely grow some corals) but brighter than the stunners. I had one on my 40B and it pretty much lit up the whole tank when my T5s were off. Nothing too powerful but probably a better option that the stunner. http://www.marinedepot.com/Ecoxotic_...FILDLK-vi.html __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS

05/18/2013, 08:41 AM	#2
corvette_girl20 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Washington Posts: 21	I want to know the same thing, is there any reason to have to do the entire LED upgrade? Funds don't allow that right now

05/18/2013, 08:51 AM	#4
corvette_girl20 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Washington Posts: 21	Thank you, I was just looking at the TrueLumen strips. Does it tell you what you need with them? Or do I need to find it myself and add it to the cart?

05/18/2013, 09:17 AM	#5
griseum Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 823	It should say on any retail website that the power supply is sold separately. On the link I provided I believe that it tells you how many volts the power supply is and then back on the last page where you can look at Current USA TrueLumen products, at the bottom is the power supply unit for an additional price. Hope that helps. Even after watching the video for the Ecoxotic stunners on the link up top, it also says that the power supply for the stunner strips is sold separately. So it seems that all of these LED strips need their power units to be purchased separately.

05/18/2013, 01:02 PM	#9
Windirmere Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Courteny BC Canada Posts: 452	I went with rapid led's they have worked amazingly, Only regret is I didnt want to tinker with the drivers to run the lower amperage leds like the Violets,reds and greens. So my tank only has Cool white and Royal blues which have grown my corals amazingly but some seem to be missing a little bit of colour, On the other hand some of them look 100x better then from the LFS displays :S. I have seen a Biocube where they gutted the hood and cut a hole in the top and mounted a Radion in it! Looked very sleek and that light is amazing, Im sure the same thing can be done with other fixtures like the reef breeders or Rapid Led Onyx

05/18/2013, 02:39 PM	#10
pkirby Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 408	I put 2 panorama pro strips in my 29 biocube in place of the stock lighting. I skipped using the reflectors. I'm growing acro's, monti's, and various LPS corals. My growth has been very impressive IMO... Best since I started reef keeping almost 4 years ago. If you don't want to go all out yet I'd replace the actinic or 10k bulb with LED to add shimmer, and then down the road replace the second bulb. My only concern with this approach would be the heat from the stock bulb... Might affect the lifespan of the LED strip