200g show tank build

[NDsuperduty]

200g show tank build

The lights come with the little wire legs on them, and those legs are sitting on glass. So the fixture itself is less than 1" off the glass tops

[SunnyHouTX]

The shimmer will be there even without lenses.

Question: how are your LEDs mounted? On the glass? Off the glass? About a foot above the water level?

[NDsuperduty]

Thanks for the advice guys. I will try removing the lenses to see how the coverage is, but i dont want to loose the shimmer which i have heard happens sometimes when you remove the lens. Regardless, I may look into the stunner lights if I need additional LED's.

[New_Cichlid11]

ND, all you need to do is take the optics off the leds u got right now and you will see far greater coverage, give it a try and see how you like it. Sunny is right about the optics being 45 degrees, the stunner strips have alot more coverage and are just a bright as the reef capable leds you have. Either way is your choice with the lighting you go with, i prefer any leds over any t5s they run alot cooler and you cant really beat the shimmer

[SunnyHouTX]

LEDs have different optics attached where the light beam coming (think "cone of light") out is diffused or focused to varying degrees. From the pic you posted of the reef capable LEDs, it looks like this beam angle is very narrow, possibly less than 45 degrees, kinda like a spotlight. I personally prefer something a little more open, around 60 degrees, so that it lights up a wider area of the tank.

[NDsuperduty]

200g show tank build

ND, ya need to look at Ecoxotic 8000K white Stunner strips. Works for pretty much every kind of African cichlid.

Looks like the marine capable Marinelands have a very narrow beam angle so it doesn't look too good.

Can you be more specific regarding what you meant about the beams looking narrow?

[SunnyHouTX]

ND, ya need to look at Ecoxotic 8000K white Stunner strips. Works for pretty much every kind of African cichlid.

Looks like the marine capable Marinelands have a very narrow beam angle so it doesn't look too good.

[NDsuperduty]

200g show tank build

Here are some picks of the different light setups that are close up, so you can see how the fish looked. Keep in mind, every picture in this thread is from my iPhone.

(4) 36" 10,000k bulbs


(4) 36" 10,000k and (4) 36" 18,000k bulbs


(2) 36" Marineland reed capable LEDs - none of the colorful fish were in the picture but you can see what I was talking about with coverage.


The yellow from the 10k only is much more evident in the close up pic. I really like the look of the 10&18k together but it was just way to hot. LEDs don't cover as well as I would like but I'm definitely a fan of the natural look and the shimmer on the floor.

[Ballinxalex]

On my phone it looks white hmmm but I like leds IMO on preference

[NDsuperduty]

200g show tank build

Definitely different strokes for different folks because the 10k only is by far my least favorite. Too yellow for my liking. I really prefer the white/blue look

[Ballinxalex]

Lol I like the ones with 10k only but I would use the LEDs to save energy and bulbs

[NDsuperduty]

200g show tank build

I say them t5s

Is that a complete sentence? LOL. jk

[Ballinxalex]

I say them t5s

[NDsuperduty]

200g show tank build

The LEDs are bright but there coverage looks better in picture than in real life, but I'm really picky about that kind of thing

[Timber317]

Did the new lights come with sunglasses for the fish? What a difference!