Nicrew or Aquasky?

[seangee]

I have decided that its time to upgrade the lights in my budget tank because they are too bright. This tank does not have floating plants so I can't use those to control intensity as in the other 2 tanks.

My requirements are really simple. I need to control the output (light intensity) and then set a shedule and forget it. I'm not really bothered by remotes, phone apps or dramatic effects. (Don't mind them - just don't need them). I would be happy to use an external timer as I do on my flex. I understand this is not an option for the aquasky as it loses its settings when it loses power.

Any recommendations for kit you have actually used.

 

[seangee]

No wait found this. think that's me sorted
https/www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07X23FZS2/

Turns out google is faster than you lot , and my tank gets to retain its budget status.

 

[AquaBarb]

Ive just purchased a Nicrew led for the tank ive restored. I was about to send that link which i come across when i was purchasing the light

 

[seangee]

It's just arrived and I was able to take the 2 minutes out of my workday that was needed to plug it in and set it up . I have set it to a max intensity of 60% to start.
Looks really good and the little in-line controller takes up way less space than the digital time I used to have it plugged into. I opted to save the £1 and get the basic version. Not really about the money I just want to KISS. Its a timer with a half hour sunrise / sunset period. I really don't need to be able to configure 6 different time blocks that the pro provides

I was expecting to have to decipher Chinglish instructions but these were straightforward and accurate. 4 hours and I'll see the sunrise in action. If its works (as I suspect it will) I may get a second one for the Flex. Already checked that it fits. What I have meets most of my needs but has no sunrise / sunset - and the in-line switch will make the room a bit neater.

 

[Metalhead88]

I use that same dimmer on a 10 gallon with a nicrew classic planted. I found that light to be way too bright even with overgrown floating plants. It's at 70% brightness and perfect.

Glad you found an easy and cheap fix.

 

[seangee]

So far so good. I missed the 15 minute ramp up time but I did look across when it first came on and noticed that it was very dim. Have now adjusted to 65% which is visually quite similar to the flex standing next to it where the plants are thriving. Its definitely more pleasing on the eye. Its a bit hard to get an exact match without a meter because the flex has tinted glass and the light in there is being filtered through the floating frogbit so everything looks a bit greener.

I'll try to catch the sunset at midnight - but really pleased with the find so far.