Fluval Evo 13.5 Light Replacement

[MarineMerton]

Hey everyone

I’ve got a Fluval Evo 13.5 and I’m finally looking to upgrade the stock light. I know the AI Blade Coral Grow fits perfectly in the stock light groove - but it costs more than the tank itself

Just wondering if anyone else here with the Evo 13.5 has upgraded their light, what did you go for?

Specifically:
• Did you keep the stock lid and fit a new light into the existing slot?
• Or did you remove the lid altogether and go with a different setup?
• Any issues with heat, mounting, or light spill?

Would love to hear what’s worked for you. I’m mainly keeping softies and LPS right now but want something that can grow with the tank.

Thanks in advance!

 

[PPBlimpy]

I currently have a nicrew 100W over my 13.5 with a screen top. got rid of the lid and added an ATO

I had a noopsyche k7 pro v2 over it at first but played musical lights. swapped the K7 onto my big tank, took the nicrew off my refugium of the big tank and put it on the 13.5 and the stock 13.5 now lights up my refugium

This was during it cycling

 

[PPBlimpy]

I currently have a nicrew 100W over my 13.5 with a screen top. got rid of the lid and added an ATO

I had a noopsyche k7 pro v2 over it at first but played musical lights. swapped the K7 onto my big tank, took the nicrew off my refugium of the big tank and put it on the 13.5 and the stock 13.5 now lights up my refugium

This was during it cycling

No issues with heat, just evaporation so far. tank has only been up for 2 weeks and only running lights for 4 hours a day currently.
Tank will be stuffed with RBTA eventually. BTA would have been fine with the stock light but figured what the heck, had this sitting around.

 

[MarineMerton]

I currently have a nicrew 100W over my 13.5 with a screen top. got rid of the lid and added an ATO

I had a noopsyche k7 pro v2 over it at first but played musical lights. swapped the K7 onto my big tank, took the nicrew off my refugium of the big tank and put it on the 13.5 and the stock 13.5 now lights up my refugium

This was during it cycling

Thanks for the reply - that’s super helpful!

Nice call on the NICREW 100W - I hadn’t seriously considered it before, but sounds like it’s doing the job well for you

Interesting that you’re planning to go RBTA-heavy, I’ve got a BTA in mine as well and while the stock light has just about been fine for now, I feel like I’m hitting the ceiling with it as my corals (and ambitions) grow. Would you say the NICREW gives good spread and intensity across the whole tank? And does it have any kind of ramping or scheduling options?

 

[PPBlimpy]

Thanks for the reply - that’s super helpful!

Nice call on the NICREW 100W - I hadn’t seriously considered it before, but sounds like it’s doing the job well for you

Interesting that you’re planning to go RBTA-heavy, I’ve got a BTA in mine as well and while the stock light has just about been fine for now, I feel like I’m hitting the ceiling with it as my corals (and ambitions) grow. Would you say the NICREW gives good spread and intensity across the whole tank? And does it have any kind of ramping or scheduling options?

This is a G1 nicrew- only have control of 2 channels
First photo is both white and blue set to max
Second is at minimum setting

To don’t have the controller. Just have them on an analogy timer to come on and off.

Speed is fine. Light is almost as big as the tank. I am sure I could bleach any sps if I wanted

I have in excess of 50 BTA in my 300g going to see how hard it is to maintain 20 or so in here with a pair of clowns and CUC