Extra Lighting For Interpet Fishbox

[daizeUK]

I want to add stronger lighting for my 2ft Interpet Fishbox 64 litre.  It comes with 2x 14W specialised interpet CF bulbs which aren't very bright.
 

 
I'm trying to figure out how to fit more lights into this hood.  There isn't much room! 
Ideally I'd love a T8 bulb but have no idea how to fit one in such a small space, so close to the water!
 
I'm wondering if I could use small LED lights like this:
 

http/www.petsathome.com/shop/led-strip-light-by-pets-at-home-105259
 
They're designed for small kid's fish tanks but the reviews say they're fairly bright.  I could put 2 or 3 under the hood.  I don't know if they'd add significantly to the light I've already got, though.
 
Does anyone have any experience with using these or have any other suggestions?

 

[daizeUK]

I've just found the Arcadia eco aqua LED tube which looks like it could fit the bill.  http/www.arcadia-uk.info/product.php?pid=92&mid=10&lan=jp
 
I'm a bit clueless when it comes to lighting!  How would I install this thing?  Does it come with its own mains power lead?

 

[daizeUK]

Does anyone have any experience with the Interpet Daylight LED Pro Specialist strips?
 
http/www.amazon.co.uk/Interpet-Waterproof-White-Daylight-Strip/dp/B005VDUSB2/ref=pd_bxgy_petsupplies_img_y#productDetails
 
They sound temptingly cheap but very low wattage...

 

[bodge99]

Hello,
 
An interesting problem... complicated slightly by the limited space available.
 
I think you could possibly fit a small (length) T5 or T8 **IF** you could solve a couple of problems..
 
If I'm correct, is the whole lighting unit removable from the hood?? or is it part of a single moulding?
It **might** be possible to re-engineer this part by removing the existing lighting hardware (sockets and ballasts) and open up the space currently occupied by them. You would now have to work out how to make/modify a new splash guard, unless you used waterproof tube sockets.
 
Your next problem would be where to locate the ballast (tube control box). There are external ballasts available (normally as part of a 3rd party kit). Something like this: http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AQUARIUM-FISH-TANK-20W-LIGHTING-STARTER-UNIT-SYSTEM-T8-/180444400164?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item2a03530a24 .
 
This would entail two cables into the hood.
 
A possible alternative would be some form of LED system. The voltages used here are far lower than with fluorescent tubes... so much safer for DIY. The commercial solutions are often not cheap... but can arguably allow a quicker (to build) solution.
I'd be tempted to have a look at the aquarium DIY LED lighting projects out there... Google is your friend..
 
It all depends on how much space you can ultimately free up.
 
Bodge99.


Hello,
 
Just found this : http/www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=473717
 
Hope it helps...
 
Bodge99

 

[daizeUK]

Thanks so much for your reply!  Haha, I spent all yesterday looking for information but I didn't find anything nearly as detailed as the example you found on Ultimate Reef.  That's really helpful and gives me some great ideas, thanks!
 
I don't think it's possible to remove the existing light unit, at least certainly not with my level of diy skills!  It's all moulded into the hood.
 
I guess the first question I need to answer is how much light do I really want?  I'd love the tank to be brightly lit but I want to keep it low tech so no more than about 2WPG total.  That means I'm looking for another 12 to 20 watts or so.
 
I've got about 22" to play with front and back (if I cut through that strange box thing bottom right - I have absolutely no idea what that is)!  If I had to choose front or back then I would prefer it to be positioned at the front but without restricting use of the feeding flap.
 
So let's see if I've got this right.  T5 lights would need:

• one external ballast that can run one or two tubes
• a splash guard to cover the lights
• a reflector (maybe just aluminium foil)?
• connectors at each end (which probably rules out 22" tubes since I've only got 22" space?)

I can't see any way of installing a T5 at the front without losing use of the feeding flap, can you?

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I am surprised you have trouble with the interpet bulbs not being bright enough... I find mine are TOO bright and cause algae growth!

 

[betta fish]

Maybe you can just change the bulbs to a higher wattage, the condensation tray will also take some light away from the tank so maybe remove it to let more light in, I don't bother with them in any of my tanks 

 

[daizeUK]

I am surprised you have trouble with the interpet bulbs not being bright enough... I find mine are TOO bright and cause algae growth!

 
Bear in mind these aren't the standard T5/T8 Interpet tubes, these are CFL bulbs so far as I know they only fit the Fish Box and nothing else.  I have very little algae and the plants are desperately reaching for the sunlight coming through the front of the tank!
 

Maybe you can just change the bulbs to a higher wattage, the condensation tray will also take some light away from the tank so maybe remove it to let more light in, I don't bother with them in any of my tanks 

 
No I've read stories about people putting higher watt bulbs in the sockets and the hood just gets unbearably hot plus it's unsafe.  I need the condensation tray because of the way the hood is designed, if it's not there then water runs back down the electrics when I lift the lid
 
 
I'm still looking into LED lighting options.  They look great but so expensive!

 

[bodge99]

Hello,
 
If you have or want to develop DIY skills then have a look at something like these:
 
http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Power-Epistar-Chip1W-3W-LED-Bulb-Diodes-Lamp-Beads-Multi-Listing-/321091588187?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&var=&hash=item4ac28cd05b
 
You don't need to spend silly money on expensive controllers... All you need (at a minimum) is a current limiter.. In this case a simple resistor (of the correct rating) will work. Better circuits use voltage regulation (a single chip plus a few components) as well as current limiting.. All cheap and easy to build.
 
If you want to look into this try something like this: http/www.ehow.com/how_4836713_design-simple-led-circuit.html
There is plenty of information out there.... but obviously you need to start with something simple.
 
Be aware that the high(er) power LED's will need to be mounted onto a heatsink ...
 
Bodge99.

 

[scobie140]

Following this with interest as I have one of these also and the lighting is too yellow for me but obviously limited by the bulbs it takes.  Might be selling the tank in a year or so to upgrade so don't want to butcher the lid too much for new lighting

 

[daizeUK]

Bodge: Thanks again for being incredibly helpful!  I'm actually tempted to give that a try but two things are worrying me.  1) the heatsink and 2) the lack of waterproofing.  Those bulb LEDS look fairly chunky so with a heatsink underneath them and some kind of splash casing I'm not sure I could make it fit or make it compact.  I think also the condensation could get into the wiring and bulbs if I didn't know what I was doing, which I don't

One thing I do like is the price, if I could solve those two problems then I'd be willing to give it a go!
 
These are the LED lighting products I've looked at and this is what I've found out so far:
 
1. TMC Aqua Ray Grobeam  http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/fish-tank-equipment/aquarium-lighting/led-aquarium-lighting-strips/aqua-ray-aqua-gro-grobeam-600-natural-daylight-single.html
Price £78.95
Temp 6,500K
Power 12W
Dims 48cm x 4.7cm x 2.7cm
(Equivalent to a T5 light.)
 
Length-wise this would fit nicely across the front (about 55cm).   It's quite wide so it might be too tight a fit at the front though, maybe better at the back but would require removal of some plastic.  I like the colour and quality but it's pricey!
 
2. Arcadia Eco Aqua Daylight LED tube  http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/fish-tank-equipment/aquarium-lighting/led-aquarium-lighting-strips/eco-aqua-daylight-led-tube-arcadia-9-watt-360mm.html
Price £48.95
Temp >8k
Power 9W
Dims 36cm x 2.5cm x 2.5cm
(Equivalent to a T8 light.)
 
The tube is a nice compact size and should fit nicely front or back.  The colour temperature is a bit too blue for my taste.  There's also a 'tropical' version of this tube with a reddish light but from what I've seen it's too red!  I'd be tempted to get two of these, one daylight and one tropical to balance out the colour temperature but since each comes with its own starter there's no cost saving (as there would be with T8's).
 
3. Interpet Waterproof LED White Daylight Strip  http/www.amazon.co.uk/Interpet-Waterproof-White-Daylight-Strip/dp/B005VDUSB2/ref=pd_bxgy_petsupplies_img_y#productDetails
Price £22.99
Temp unknown
Power 12 x 0.2watt LED’s = 2.4W
Dims 38cm
 
Can't find these on the Interpet product specification brochure.  The price sounds great until you realise how many watts/£...

 

 

[bodge99]

Hello,
 
Nice units... not nice prices!... The only problem with these is that it's hard to gauge their effectiveness. You would need to see one fitted to a tank in order to see how good they actually are... The next best way is by looking for user reviews. Try searching on Youtube for any videos on LED builds/usage etc.
 
For use with DIY builds see such things as :
 
http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50PCS-20mm-Aluminum-Star-Base-for-High-Power-1W-3W-5W-LED-Heat-Sink-/390582471371?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5af0878acb
 
http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50x-Led-Lens-60-Degree-For-1w-3w-Lamp-Black-Holder-/160619726875?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item2565ae881b
 
http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10pcs-18X1-1W-3W-18W-High-Power-LED-Aluminum-Base-Plate-100mm-CN-STOCK-/271186662898?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f23fc15f2
 
There are plenty of other examples...
 
I've seen a DIY build (sorry, I can't find the link) that was essentially 3W LEDS mounted onto an aluminium strip (actually an aluminium carpet strip http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-3-FT-Carpet-Door-Bar-Cover-Strip-Single-Double-/230646339166?pt=UK_Home_Garden_FittedCarpets_Underlay_SM&var=&hash=item35b397d65e ). This was fitted inside a clear plastic tube. Aquarium airline connectors were fitted at either end of the (sealed) tube and airflow (for cooling) was provided by an aquarium airpump. The outlet from the lights was then connected to an airstone as per normal.  Neat solution...fully waterproof etc!
 
One of my projects (now back in the "getroundtoit" list due to other commitments) is a microcontroller based lighting system.. I'm using RGB LEDs so I can directly control both the light levels and overall colour as I wish.. a planned extension to the project is wireless remote control... The code is written, but just needs further testing and tweaking.. The last thing I added was timed moonlighting,  sunrise/sunset variable illumination and heatsink temperature monitoring... (Function creep... ho hum!).
Build cost is approx £30 so far...
 
Bodge99.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I am surprised you have trouble with the interpet bulbs not being bright enough... I find mine are TOO bright and cause algae growth!

 
Bear in mind these aren't the standard T5/T8 Interpet tubes, these are CFL bulbs so far as I know they only fit the Fish Box and nothing else.  I have very little algae and the plants are desperately reaching for the sunlight coming through the front of the tank!

No, I didn't mean tubes, I meant the bulbs designed for this tank. Mine are SUPER bright and I only use one. I buy these http/www.amazon.co.uk/Interpet-15W-Brightday-White/dp/B004YJKARG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366723194&sr=8-1&keywords=interpet+fish+box+light

 

[daizeUK]

Bodge: Many thanks for all the info, I will do some research and have a serious think about a DIY attempt.
 
This video is putting me off the Arcadia Eco Aqua tubes:  http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMjJHVkGAJI
At 0:13 he changes to the Eco Aqua lights and the plants go from bright green to dull.
 
 
PrairieSunflower: Maybe it's because my tank looks very dim next to a window in a very bright room.  Even so, these bulbs give about 0.8 WPG for this model tank so I'm surprised anyone would consider them super bright!  Do you have a link to pictures of your tank, plants you grow etc?   
 
I couldn't use only one, it failed to light the whole tank.  This was how my tank used to look with only one Interpet bulb, notice the poor crypt front left!

 

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I must have pictures somewhere, I will have a look. I have torn out my plants and replanted them many times though since I am really bad at aquascaping and making it look nice! LOL I might just take a picture now, easier than looking around for one! LOL