600RR Fluval Edge 6gal

[600RR]

I wanted to wait until the tank was settled in to start my journal but I'm having some trouble with DSM HC so I figured I'd go ahead and post and see if anyone has any suggestions. I've upgraded the stock halogen to 2 MR16 sockets with 15 LED bulbs and also added a 30 LED strip light.

I'm using Aquasoil New Amazonia powder type. Planted clumps of HC and seemed to start off nicely, albeit slowly. About 3 weeks or so into DSM, some of the HC started to yellow and die off. 2 or 3 clumps which were doing very well, sending off runners were killed off by fungus I believe. Ever since, it just hasn't been the same. I think I had it too wet so I let it dry out for a day or two.

Could temps be too low? I'm measuring 72 degrees inside the tank while the lights are on. Not sure what overnight temps are. Or perhaps are the lights too intense for emersed HC?

I would flood the tank but I wanted to wait until after I get a CO2 setup to flood it.

Well, onto the pics...

Day 2


Day 4


Day 9, added additional strip of LEDs




Day 14 with modified LED strip








Day 34




Some of the yellowing HC

[xmas_one]

Looks pretty good to me, a little yellowing/die off is to be expected.

[Buck]

i agree, great dsm start. your hc is really beginning to crawl! i wish i started off my dsm with better lighting, my hc really began to take off when i filled my tank. (and switched to t5ho)

keep us posted each week man!

[600RR]

I figured some dying would be normal but they were doing so well before they started dying off. I guess I'm just worrying too much. The waiting is killing me lol.

[shawndoc]

Got a link to instructions for doing the lighting mods?

[Neon Shrimp]

Got a link to instructions for doing the lighting mods?

+1, I would like to work on a LED project too.

Thank you.

[600RR]

I can't seem to find the links to modify the stock lights so I'll do a quick write up...

I purchased MR16 sockets here:
http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/...&productId=200

And bulbs here (5000-6500k):
http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/...&productId=537

Take the light arm apart by removing all the screws, including the 4 holding onto the stock sockets. Cut off the stock sockets and replace with new ones by soldering or other means. Screw everything back in place and you're set! People say you can just jam the MR16 bulb into the stock MR11 sockets. It just widens the socket hole and you won't be able to use MR11 bulbs anymore. I like to make things hard for myself sometimes lol.

Now onto the additional LED strip...

I apologize I have no pics of the build process. I had intended to take pics but completely forgot lol. Luckily, it's rather simple.

I purchased the LED setup from http://www.superbrightleds.com
19.5" flexible LED strip, part# NFLS-CW30X3. Make sure they're the 3 chip high power 5050 SMDs. They can be cut into 3 LED sections which you can then solder or purchase connectors to re-connect them. They are rated at 561 lumens FWIW, and I've basically doubled the output of the 2 MR16 bulbs.

24watt power supply, part# CPS-12VDC-24W (can power up to 3 strips, I bought 2 but 1 is plenty with the 2 MR16 bulbs)
And they have various different plugs and adapters you can select to connect the LED strip to the power supply. I purchased the NFLS series CPS Adapter Cable which ended up requiring me to cut and solder.

Total around $40 shipped, not too bad.

I then purchased an aluminum L channel at Home Depot ($5 or so). I measured around the hood and the channel and made 2 90 degree cuts on one plane of the channel with a dremel (if you are anal, make sure you measure the right end of the hood. One end of the hood is 1-2mm wider than the other end for some reason, I learned the hard way lol). Then take a couple pairs of pliers and bend at the cuts to create the 90 degree bends. Glued the seam to keep it from bowing out (should probably have used jb weld or something better), lightly sanded, then spray painted.

The LED strips have double sided tape already applied. I just cut to appropriate lengths, taped them to the fixture, and soldered the ends of the LED strip. The fixture also acts as a heatsink for the LED strip so it's dual purpose.

[5150munky]

Nice set-up! Great job on your mod! Sometime I wish I took a easier path on my mod. I think I spent too much time on it or at least the wifey thought so, lol.

Keep us update when you can.

[RichieE46]

Superbrightleds.com is a legit place. I've ordered a bunch of my LEDs from there for my car.

Thanks for the writeup 600RR. Time to make a LED strip of my own

[600RR]

Nice set-up! Great job on your mod! Sometime I wish I took a easier path on my mod. I think I spent too much time on it or at least the wifey thought so, lol.

Keep us update when you can.

the wifey does not understand lol. I will try to have weekly updates.

Superbrightleds.com is a legit place. I've ordered a bunch of my LEDs from there for my car.

Thanks for the writeup 600RR. Time to make a LED strip of my own

no problemo. This LED strip is bright! I plan on utilizing it to light an edge reef setup as well. Need to score another edge for cheap.

[600RR]

oh ya how long should photoperiod be? I've got it at 11 hours.

[swoof]

11 hours should be fine while it's just an emersed setup. Now when you flood it you'll want only 6-8 hours to prevent algae growth. But that's just my opinion

[TypeSH]

Thank you for the detailed instructions.

[5150munky]

11 hours should be fine while it's just an emersed setup. Now when you flood it you'll want only 6-8 hours to prevent algae growth. But that's just my opinion

I agree

[600RR]

Ok, thanks guys.

[600RR]

Quick update, although not much change. HC growth has been very slow, had a few clumps die off and had to replant. Not sure what the problem is. I thought the lights may be burning the HC so I've been running without the MR16 bulbs for a few weeks. Seems to be less dying. Added some micro swords, e. belem and mini pellia.

Currently piecing together a CO2 system so I can just flood it already.

Will try to get pics up tonight.

[600RR]

So here's the latest pic. As you can see, not much growth in the middle and left side. Best growth can be seen on the right side. Hopefully flooding and dumping CO2 soon will improve growth.

[600RR]

Decided to flood the tank. My CO2 tank has been delayed so the algae is getting the better of me right now. I'm going to have to setup DIY CO2 for the time being. Added a couple of RCS because I couldn't resist . Don't mind the heater so much as it's only temporary.





Love the design of the Fluval Edge so much I got another one which will be a reef counterpart.

[Macabre]

is that the new fluval edge that comes with LED lights?

[600RR]

is that the new fluval edge that comes with LED lights?

No it's not.