Best types of lighting for topless tank

[Kapachuka3]

I have a fluvalflex 32.5 gallon. I have learned that there are types of lights you can get that do not need a top. Like this:

what would be the best type of lighting like this for my tank.
Also, how would i keep my fish from jumping out of the tank. I am asking this because i have my water exchange very close to my current lighting and i had a problem in the past where water actually short-circuited my light, so i think a topless light would be easier to deal with.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Most lights that I have ever seen (for nano tanks) can be hung from the ceiling, or a clip-on mounting arm can be purchased seperately.

An example is below, you buy the AI Prime for example, then buy either the hanging kit or the mounting arm.

 

[Kapachuka3]

Most lights that I have ever seen (for nano tanks) can be hung from the ceiling, or a clip-on mounting arm can be purchased seperately.

An example is below, you buy the AI Prime for example, then buy either the hanging kit or the mounting arm.

Sounds great, is this good for coral, i only have soft corals right now and thats all ill probably have. How would i keep my fish from jumping out.

 

[Kasrift]

Depends on what you are stocking to be honest. I have the same tank and I have two Noopsyche k7 pro v3s on it on arms from the back of the tank. For a lid, I got a Kraken Lid.

 

[Kasrift]

Yeah, I'd think AI primes would be fine for soft corals. For a lid, you'll have to either DIY it with something like the Red Sea DIY Lid kit or buy a prefabricated one like Kraken.

 

[Kapachuka3]

Depends on what you are stocking to be honest. I have the same tank and I have two Noopsyche k7 pro v3s on it on arms from the back of the tank. For a lid, I got a Kraken Lid.

I have 3 pj cardinals
2 clowns
Snails
Shrimp
1 goby
And 1 urchin

 

[Kasrift]

I have 3 pj cardinals
2 clowns
Snails
Shrimp
1 goby
And 1 urchin

I meant corals, but you had answered softies. I have the Noopsyche since I have acros at the top of a very mixed reef tank. With softies, you could probably even get away with one Noopsyche k7, it would shadow on the sides if you center the light, but it doesn't sound like you have anything too light demanding.

 

[Kapachuka3]

I meant corals, but you had answered softies. I have the Noopsyche since I have acros at the top of a very mixed reef tank. With softies, you could probably even get away with one Noopsyche k7, it would shadow on the sides if you center the light, but it doesn't sound like you have anything too light demanding.

Nah not really, i have a big kenya tree and gsp and thats it.

 

[exnisstech]

I second the noopsyche k7 III I have 6 over a 6ft mixed reef and everything is doing great. They really put out a lot of par and are nice looking as well. You could start off with one and add another later if needed. They are only a little over $200 with the tank mount. Now that I have them I don't think I'll ever buy another radion, for the price difference I don't see any benifit.

 

[exnisstech]

Just a side note in case you do have a custom lid made. Get your lighting first so you can have the cutout made for the mount when they make the top. Sorry if you are already aware, just would hate to have you get a top that won't fit.

 

[Kapachuka3]

Just a side note in case you do have a custom lid made. Get your lighting first so you can have the cutout made for the mount when they make the top. Sorry if you are already aware, just would hate to have you get a top that won't fit.

Gotcha, do you know any type of light like this but with bluetooth or wifi. Controlling it from my phone is great because i can set an automatic timer on it and then i dont really have to touch the light or bother it.

 

[exnisstech]

The new k7 III noopsyche lights are wifi with an app for Android and Apple. They ramp up and down also and you can set timers and control the individual color channels. I'm really happy with them for a $200 light. There's quite a bit of info here on R2R regarding them. I also have ecotech radions and AI hydra but these noopsyche lights are the best bang for the buck IMO. I have no affiliation just a happy customer

 

[ryanjohn1]

I’ve got a flex 32 and I have 2 AI blades

 

[Kasrift]

I’ve got a flex 32 and I have 2 AI blades

Looks good. The blades are pretty slick, but new so I'd love to follow along and see how they work out for you.

 

[Kasrift]

The new k7 III noopsyche lights are wifi with an app for Android and Apple. They ramp up and down also and you can set timers and control the individual color channels. I'm really happy with them for a $200 light. There's quite a bit of info here on R2R regarding them. I also have ecotech radions and AI hydra but these noopsyche lights are the best bang for the buck IMO. I have no affiliation just a happy customer

Ditto. Noops are amazing lights.

 

[afrokobe]

Sounds great, is this good for coral, i only have soft corals right now and thats all ill probably have. How would i keep my fish from jumping out.

you can make a cheap screen lid for now. I would do that even if you do go the custom lid route.... so you don't have any casualties. Super easy and all the supplies are cheap from home depot. Although you can buy a kit from BRS if you dont want to shop for all the supplies yourself.

 

[Kasrift]

you can make a cheap screen lid for now. I would do that even if you do go the custom lid route.... so you don't have any casualties. Super easy and all the supplies are cheap from home depot. Although you can buy a kit from BRS if you dont want to shop for all the supplies yourself.

Typically this would be true, but the fluval flex has a weird curved AIO cutout on the back which makes it a pain....

 

[Kapachuka3]

I think I am going to get a type of netting and put that over the tank and then put the light on top of that. Would I ever have to worry about dust or anything like that polluting the tank. How do you guys deal with dust?

 

[Kasrift]

I think I am going to get a type of netting and put that over the tank and then put the light on top of that. Would I ever have to worry about dust or anything like that polluting the tank. How do you guys deal with dust?

Just a well ventilated area. What you are planning isn't bad, but it is a lot more work to move things to get in there and clean. Plus I'd be worried about a fire hazard as leds can get pretty hot, I wouldn't want it sitting on thin plastic mesh and melt it.

 

[Kapachuka3]

Just a well ventilated area. What you are planning isn't bad, but it is a lot more work to move things to get in there and clean. Plus I'd be worried about a fire hazard as leds can get pretty hot, I wouldn't want it sitting on thin plastic mesh and melt it.

Oh crap I hadn’t thought of that, I might just cut out where the leds will sit on the top of the tank, thanks.