Creative ideas to 'enhance' a Current IC Pro setup?

[trapphd]

Hey all, due to limitations of my Fusion 20 peninsula (namely, the lid doesn't have openings on the back as well as the long footprint), I have used Current Orbit Marine IC PRO Dual LEDs on my system. However, I'd love to get a bit more blue 'pop' during the daytime cycle. I am exploring if I can incorporate a new light into the existing setup for this purpose (see photos for reference). I believe I could actually mount something slim on the underside of the lights, since the mounts are placed next to each other — maybe upside-down suction cups would fit in the gap and hold that new light in place between the mounts? That would essentially be a low-powered Amazon submersible light, though, so I am unsure if that would provide much more blue. Any other ideas would be more than welcome, appeciate it!

 

[oreo54]

How much room do you have on the light?
Something like this would give a large boost in 450nm range

Blue Booster 24v Sun Board 96 LED 450nm(Royal Blue) Quantum Grow Light Strip | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Blue Booster 24v Sun Board 96 LED 450nm(Royal Blue) Quantum Grow Light Strip at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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[TrottingReef]

How much room do you have on the light?
Something like this would give a large boost in 450nm range

Blue Booster 24v Sun Board 96 LED 450nm(Royal Blue) Quantum Grow Light Strip | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Blue Booster 24v Sun Board 96 LED 450nm(Royal Blue) Quantum Grow Light Strip at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

That looks good, just need a way to waterproof it.

 

[TrottingReef]

Hey all, due to limitations of my Fusion 20 peninsula (namely, the lid doesn't have openings on the back as well as the long footprint), I have used Current Orbit Marine IC PRO Dual LEDs on my system. However, I'd love to get a bit more blue 'pop' during the daytime cycle. I am exploring if I can incorporate a new light into the existing setup for this purpose (see photos for reference). I believe I could actually mount something slim on the underside of the lights, since the mounts are placed next to each other — maybe upside-down suction cups would fit in the gap and hold that new light in place between the mounts? That would essentially be a low-powered Amazon submersible light, though, so I am unsure if that would provide much more blue. Any other ideas would be more than welcome, appeciate it!

What are you using to mount your two strips? I have a SeaClear AIO and it only gives us narrow opening on top. So my inly solution currently is to hang like a pendant or use included wire hangers that came with my Current USA IC LEDS.

Nice setup btw

 

[trapphd]

What are you using to mount your two strips? I have a SeaClear AIO and it only gives us narrow opening on top. So my inly solution currently is to hang like a pendant or use included wire hangers that came with my Current USA IC LEDS.

Nice setup btw

Appreciate it! Yup, hanging would've been an option but I'm on the top floor with crazy high ceilings, so can't swing it lol. I'm using the mounts from Current, which work well because I can secure them on the left chamber of the peninsula and the lights go horizontally.

How much room do you have on the light?
Something like this would give a large boost in 450nm range

Blue Booster 24v Sun Board 96 LED 450nm(Royal Blue) Quantum Grow Light Strip | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Blue Booster 24v Sun Board 96 LED 450nm(Royal Blue) Quantum Grow Light Strip at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

This inspired me to peep similar options! The old style from 21LED (the ReefBar) might actually be ideal. It's super slim so I could conceivably affix it on the Current lights (on the underside black part of the housing between the two lights since they're essentially right next to each other). https://21ledusa.com/products/453nm...uarium-led-light-9w-ft?variant=39712656425099

 

[TrottingReef]

Appreciate it! Yup, hanging would've been an option but I'm on the top floor with crazy high ceilings, so can't swing it lol. I'm using the mounts from Current, which work well because I can secure them on the left chamber of the peninsula and the lights go horizontally.


This inspired me to peep similar options! The old style from 21LED (the ReefBar) might actually be ideal. It's super slim so I could conceivably affix it on the Current lights (on the underside black part of the housing between the two lights since they're essentially right next to each other). https://21ledusa.com/products/453nm...uarium-led-light-9w-ft?variant=39712656425099

I do like that Reefbar as well. Pretty cheap too. That just might be the perfect option for between the two Current LED.

 

[trapphd]

I do like that Reefbar as well. Pretty cheap too. That just might be the perfect option for between the two Current LED.

It definitely feels like it might be viable!

Now that I'm looking at it in terms of precise dimensions, the Pro seems better. https://21ledusa.com/products/24-445nm-actinic-blue-reefbar-pro-3w-bridgelux-leds. The Pro is still only 2 inches wide, which is exactly the measurement of the underside black housing on my parallel lights. I could affix it underneath the Currents with glue or command strips and it would fit perfectly. The original ReefBar has cords protruding from both sides which would be a bummer, because the right side would hang over the tank somehow; this version is basically a super slim typical LED fixture that I could "mount" as part of my setup.

 

[Sean Clark]

Could you use some vhb tape and just stick it to your existing lights?

Bullshark Bond Black 3M Heavy Duty 1 Inch Double Sided Tape Mounting Tape Waterproof Foam Tape VHB 5952, 15 Feet Length, Multipurpose for Car, LED Strip Lights, Office, Home Decor, Office Décor
https://a.co/d/04ZgLwu

 

[TrottingReef]

Could you use some vhb tape and just stick it to your existing lights?

Bullshark Bond Black 3M Heavy Duty 1 Inch Double Sided Tape Mounting Tape Waterproof Foam Tape VHB 5952, 15 Feet Length, Multipurpose for Car, LED Strip Lights, Office, Home Decor, Office Décor
https://a.co/d/04ZgLwu

Thats what we were talking about (i think lol). Assuming the case for the new strip does not get too hot, that should be perfect.

 

[TrottingReef]

It definitely feels like it might be viable!

Now that I'm looking at it in terms of precise dimensions, the Pro seems better. https://21ledusa.com/products/24-445nm-actinic-blue-reefbar-pro-3w-bridgelux-leds. The Pro is still only 2 inches wide, which is exactly the measurement of the underside black housing on my parallel lights. I could affix it underneath the Currents with glue or command strips and it would fit perfectly. The original ReefBar has cords protruding from both sides which would be a bummer, because the right side would hang over the tank somehow; this version is basically a super slim typical LED fixture that I could "mount" as part of my setup.

Yeah Pro sounds better. Updated my bookmark lol.

 

[trapphd]

Could you use some vhb tape and just stick it to your existing lights?

Bullshark Bond Black 3M Heavy Duty 1 Inch Double Sided Tape Mounting Tape Waterproof Foam Tape VHB 5952, 15 Feet Length, Multipurpose for Car, LED Strip Lights, Office, Home Decor, Office Décor
https://a.co/d/04ZgLwu

Perfect! Appreciate the link, definitely getting that.

Yeah Pro sounds better. Updated my bookmark lol.

Right? We can call it a new "hybrid" setup lol. It's worth a shot because otherwise the Currents put out enough whites and blues to be a solid foundation. ~$120 total (including a timer) to "upgrade" this way versus several hundred for a new lid and new lights like Primes, imo that's a good value proposition.

 

[oreo54]

Perfect! Appreciate the link, definitely getting that.

Right? We can call it a new "hybrid" setup lol. It's worth a shot because otherwise the Currents put out enough whites and blues to be a solid foundation. ~$120 total (including a timer) to "upgrade" this way versus several hundred for a new lid and new lights like Primes, imo that's a good value proposition.

Pros are 90 degree lensed and due to the housing you are pushing the focal point even closer to the water surface.

Personally the reg 120 degree bars, since you are in the middle, " may" be better. Better spread.

That top egg crate or net?
Looks like net

 

[TrottingReef]

Perfect! Appreciate the link, definitely getting that.

Right? We can call it a new "hybrid" setup lol. It's worth a shot because otherwise the Currents put out enough whites and blues to be a solid foundation. ~$120 total (including a timer) to "upgrade" this way versus several hundred for a new lid and new lights like Primes, imo that's a good value proposition.

Yeah its a slam dunk deal.

 

[TrottingReef]

Pros are 90 degree lensed and due to the housing you are pushing the focal point even closer to the water surface.

Personally the reg 120 degree bars, since you are in the middle, " may" be better. Better spread.

That top egg crate or net?
Looks like net

Love this place... Those are some dang good points friend.

Looks like it is a cover screen.

 

[trapphd]

Pros are 90 degree lensed and due to the housing you are pushing the focal point even closer to the water surface.

Personally the reg 120 degree bars, since you are in the middle, " may" be better. Better spread.

That top egg crate or net?
Looks like net

Excellent point, the 120 degree spread would absolutely be more optimal. The main constraint about the regular ReefBar is the "power out" cable that wouldn't be necessary. I guess I could always just bend it upward and tape it down? And yes, it's net (the mesh lid that comes with the Innovative Marine Pro AIOs).

 

[trapphd]

Addendum: bought 2 of the ReefBars in 453nm Deep Actinic (not the Pro). They actually have a spread of 140 degrees (not even just the 120 we thought), and with two, it'll be 36W total which should really distribute a nice amount of blue during daytime. I intend to tape them to the underside of my Currents (they're only 0.75 inches wide, so I suspect it will be a perfect fit on one side of each). Also bought a cheap Nicrew timer from Amazon since I felt the $30 Sunsetter from 21LED was a bit overkill for my intended purpose. Thanks to all for their input -- I'll follow up with updates!

 

[TrottingReef]

Look forward to your updates on how they are working for you.

 

[trapphd]

Here’s the update — everything worked out seamlessly! Somehow the ReefBars aligned perfectly under the housing of each Current USA light. The tape affixed them easily and there is essentially no impact to the aesthetics of the overall lighting fixture, given their slim profile and the mounting location. No issues with heat, either. The blues during daytime have increased at least two-fold. I have the ReefBars setup with a simple timer for 8am to 8pm, so the Current USA lights still supply the moonlight. Overall, for ~$75 total (the lights 2x, power, timer) this was a resounding success for my intended purpose. Hope this inspires anyone else thinking of the same! And obviously grateful for everyone’s input and suggestions last week.

 

[TrottingReef]

Love it, good job dude. I will be doing the same for my Dual IC setups!

 

[TrottingReef]

Here’s the update — everything worked out seamlessly! Somehow the ReefBars aligned perfectly under the housing of each Current USA light. The tape affixed them easily and there is essentially no impact to the aesthetics of the overall lighting fixture, given their slim profile and the mounting location. No issues with heat, either. The blues during daytime have increased at least two-fold. I have the ReefBars setup with a simple timer for 8am to 8pm, so the Current USA lights still supply the moonlight. Overall, for ~$75 total (the lights 2x, power, timer) this was a resounding success for my intended purpose. Hope this inspires anyone else thinking of the same! And obviously grateful for everyone’s input and suggestions last week.

So now that you have had it up and running for a few weeks what do you think? And what settings do you have the Orbit IC lights set to?