I want to add shimmer - for aesthetic purposes only

[Jim Harrison]

I have the 4 HO T5 setup with moon lights, but I'd like to add a little supplemental light. All I want to do is gain some shimmer which T5's don't do. Will I need to pick up some of those Reefbrite LED tech strips or are there even less expensive options for just a simple strip of white LED lights to add shimmer?

 

[Crabs McJones]

If you want the ultimate in shimmer, and you're not concerned with it performance wise, pick up a kessil A80 or A160. They are the king of shimmer.

 

[Jim Harrison]

If you want the ultimate in shimmer, and you're not concerned with it performance wise, pick up a kessil A80 or A160. They are the king of shimmer.

Perfect for shimmer, but a bit pricey for just aesthetics. However, I assume they would also improve par and such in my tank.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Perfect for shimmer, but a bit pricey for just aesthetics. However, I assume they would also improve par and such in my tank.

Yeah I just noticed the "less expensive" in your original post lol. Sorry about that

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Take a look at these.

https://www.amazon.com/TrueLumen-Aq...12676831&sr=8-10&keywords=truelumen+led+strip

They are the True Lumen LED strips. The price is fairly reasonable and comes in two flavors. You can get either a straight 453nm atinic or a 12K mix strip. I have a pair of them over my 40 serving as my dawn/dusk moon lighting. They are impressively bright and do add a a nice amount of shimmer to the tank on their own. You may also want to get a splitter adapter to connect two or more to a single power adapter that can be run off a timer.

Oh and if you don't like them Amazon will take them back.

 

[Jim Harrison]

Take a look at these.

https://www.amazon.com/TrueLumen-Aq...12676831&sr=8-10&keywords=truelumen+led+strip

They are the True Lumen LED strips. The price is fairly reasonable and comes in two flavors. You can get either a straight 453nm atinic or a 12K mix strip. I have a pair of them over my 40 serving as my dawn/dusk moon lighting. They are impressively bright and do add a a nice amount of shimmer to the tank on their own. You may also want to get a splitter adapter to connect two or more to a single power adapter that can be run off a timer.

Oh and if you don't like them Amazon will take them back.

Perfect! Thank you.

 

[Jim Harrison]

The 48” reefbrite white strip is $110 on BRS. 3 10” strips + splitter + power supply is $96 on amazon. For the extra $20 I will get the full 48” coverage.

If I had a smaller tank those would be perfect. Think I will go with BRS.

Thanks for the info, though!

 

[Jim Harrison]

Next question: Can the reefbrites be dimmed via controller?

 

[Porpoise Hork]

I have two of the 453 atinic strips sitting 2" above the waterline on a 36" tank tank and they do an amazing job of lighting the entire tank. So depending on your lighting setup and height off the water you may only need 3 of them if you have a 48" tank and the lights are say 4-8 inches above the tank. You can also get an inline dimmer for them if needed.

 

[Jim Harrison]

I have two of the 453 atinic strips sitting 2" above the waterline on a 36" tank tank and they do an amazing job of lighting the entire tank. So depending on your lighting setup and height off the water you may only need 3 of them if you have a 48" tank and the lights are say 4-8 inches above the tank. You can also get an inline dimmer for them if needed.

That's a really good point. And since I'm only going after aesthetically pleasing shimmer, it may very well be the perfect choice.

Do you think 2 of them would spread enough to put shimmer across 48" if placed correctly?

 

[jporter17]

Next question: Can the reefbrites be dimmed via controller?

Yes, you’ll need their (Reef Brite) dimming module and the appropriate module for your controller. I dim mine via my Profilux, and with the Apex prior. JP

 

[Jim Harrison]

Yes, you’ll need their (Reef Brite) dimming module and the appropriate module for your controller. I dim mine via my Profilux, and with the Apex prior. JP

I think I'm just going to go with the TrueLumen - seems my best option after a little research.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

That's a really good point. And since I'm only going after aesthetically pleasing shimmer, it may very well be the perfect choice.

Do you think 2 of them would spread enough to put shimmer across 48" if placed correctly?

They should provide ample coverage. Unlike single emitter LED's these are the multi-emitter type chips with no lenses so they provide a fairly wide angle beam pattern. I'm going to assume your tank has a top center brace, if so mount them on the front of the fixture facing the wall (otherwise they will cast a blue bar across the room) centered over each side of the tank two of them should do a fairly good job at adding shimmer to the tank. The double sided adhesive the comes with them is OK, but is a one shot deal so if you have to move or adjust them it you're going to need a fairly strong double sided tape like the 3M black adhesive.

https://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Extre...12747808&sr=8-6&keywords=3m+double+sided+tape

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Oh, I just remembered these..

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/li...rine-btm5ho-dimmable-20k-led-retrofit-t5-lamp

These are drop in replacement LED t5 bulbs that are available in 6K to 20K color ranges with UV options. They are a tad pricey per bulb but when you consider the annual cost to replace your T5's compared to these they look very appealing. Plus being LED you would get the shimmer you want without having to replace the fixture. Something to keep in mind when it comes time to replace the bulbs, maybe try a pair of these with traditional T5's and see how they compare.

 

[Jim Harrison]

I might actually have Tap Plastics make me a mount. They do things rather inexpensively and have been dead on so far.

 

[Jim Harrison]

Oh, I just remembered these..

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/li...rine-btm5ho-dimmable-20k-led-retrofit-t5-lamp

These are drop in replacement LED t5 bulbs that are available in 6K to 20K color ranges with UV options. They are a tad pricey per bulb but when you consider the annual cost to replace your T5's compared to these they look very appealing. Plus being LED you would get the shimmer you want without having to replace the fixture. Something to keep in mind when it comes time to replace the bulbs, maybe try a pair of these with traditional T5's and see how they compare.

These are really interesting. I might pick some up when it's time to replace bulbs as you suggested. Maybe just put one or 2 in there. Not sure how much of a change in par it will make - losing 1 or 2 T5 bulbs and replacing with one of those might lose some par. I'm probably only going soft corals, so it shouldn't be a problem, really.

Says it only works with Geissmann ballasts. I have a Coralife product. Guess I'll email them!

 

[Jim Harrison]

These are really interesting. I might pick some up when it's time to replace bulbs as you suggested. Maybe just put one or 2 in there. Not sure how much of a change in par it will make - losing 1 or 2 T5 bulbs and replacing with one of those might lose some par. I'm probably only going soft corals, so it shouldn't be a problem, really.

Says it only works with Geissmann ballasts. I have a Coralife product. Guess I'll email them!

I read it wrong - says those are the only ones with known issues. Totally giving them a go.