Interpet River Reef Tank

[ponyo]

I've got a River Reef 48l tank that I bought not realising it was a reef tank.
It fits really nicely in the space I've got and was a bargain so I don't really want to get rid of it. I was planning on having a betta and a few other small fish in there but I don't like the fans on the day lights, it's too noisy for my bedroom so was thinking I could change the blue night LEDs for white ones.
Anyone know if this is possible to do and will there be enough light in there from the just the LEDs for the fish?

 

[Juggler75]

Might be easier to change the fans. Check for silent pc fans

 

[ponyo]

Might be easier to change the fans. Check for silent pc fans

I'll be using it as a tropical tank so won't need the fans on and thought it would be cheaper to change the small bulbs than the fans.

 

[Juggler75]

I think they are soldered in pretty good as the leds are supposed to last lifetime of the tank. Could you not disconnect the fans?

 

[ponyo]

I looked at the instructions on how to change to fans and it seemed really complicated so not sure I'd be able to disconnect them.

 

[ponyo]

I've had a look inside the hood and think the easier and cheapest thing to do is to disconnect the fans but haven't got a clue how to do it Any ideas??

 

[ellejay]

I have the 94L version and the fans annoyed me too. I actually bought new PC fans and changed them over (honestly not as hard as it looks, just need a little screwdriver) but they're still a bit noisy. However the tank warms up quite a lot with the lights on so you seem to need the fans.

Here's a good link to help you change the fans:

http/www.interpet.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/River-Reef-48-fan-instructions.doc

I had to modify a bit as i went along. Basically unplug everything going into the hood, take out the main light tubes, remove the support screws from the hinges, lift off the hood and flip it upside down on the floor/table. There will be a white and black plastic cover which keeps the condensation away from the circuits and lights. Remove all the little screws holding it in place, and carefully remove it and lay it to the side. Slowly and carefully because the wires for the main lights and leds are attached to it so you can't move it far! Then you'll be able to see the circuit board and follow the correct lead to the fans (or fan, there might only be one in the 48). If you just want to disconnect it, simply unplug it a bit like a phone. However once you're up to this point it's easy to change the fan, just remove the four screws holding it in place and put the new one in label face down, and plug it in, use a small cable tie to tidy everything up. Replace the plastic cover and screw it back on tightly.

I didn't have a clue when I started trying to fix mine but I understand how my tank works a hell of a lot better now! Fortunately my boyfriend is a computer geek so I had help!

I think you might even be able to fix the fans on the 48 without removing the entire hood, I can't find the link I had to that, but you can just google it. If there is a panel on the top fixed on with small screws then it can be done, but you'll need to hunt for instructions!

As for the fans themselves, I can't find the ones I bought and can't remember what spec they are, but when/if you remove them just google the numbers written on the label. After a bit of hunting I got them on eBay for about £7 each. Mine aren't that quiet but if you wanted to spend more you'd get better ones. Just make sure they have the correct attachment for the circuit board, I think it needs to be two pronged, but have a look when you take them out.

Sorry for the essay! Hope that helps

 

[mattyd1701]

I looked at the instructions on how to change to fans and it seemed really complicated so not sure I'd be able to disconnect them.

if you think about it the fans are there for a reason to keep the lights cool if you disconnect the fans how hot are the lights actually going to get? you might end up burning your lights out because i imaging they would be the correct coral kelvin lights (6000k+) which get pretty hot i would leave the fans in to keep them cool so you know your not going to have to replace them any time soon

its a nice little tank from what i have seen of the pictures would love to see a picture of it set up as a tropical tank

good luck

 

[ponyo]

Thanks for all the advice. My Betta's in another tank by himself right now and being treated for ich so I don't need the tank just yet so I'll have a play around with it to see what's going to work best.

Is there any other lights that I could use instead, something that will stick on underneath the hood maybe or another type of bulb that I can use instead of the bulb that came with the tank?

 

[mattyd1701]

Thanks for all the advice. My Betta's in another tank by himself right now and being treated for ich so I don't need the tank just yet so I'll have a play around with it to see what's going to work best.

Is there any other lights that I could use instead, something that will stick on underneath the hood maybe or another type of bulb that I can use instead of the bulb that came with the tank?

my edge came with MR11 bulbs with the MR11 holders built into the lighting arm bar i took out the bar and replaced the MR11 holders with MR16 holders so it would take the bigger bulbs

you could look into doing something similar most likely require some modification to the hood but you might be able to fit some other light holder into the hood?

a did find this if you want to take a look it was done for a reef not a freshwater but it will give you some idea

http/www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=244150