Fluval Evo 13.5 Light Upgrades

CrazyDuck959

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Messages
184
Reaction score
119
Location
Fairfax
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Ok so I want to upgrade the light on my Fluval Evo. Everything I read said that the AI Prime is the best light. But for me 200$ is a lot for a light. I found a few alternatives that I wanted to ask if anybody had experience with them. If you all don’t think any are adequate for my tank please let me know. And let me know if any of you all have better alternatives. If I absolutely need to I can get the AI prime, but that’s kinda a last option. I will list the alternatives below.

NICREW 30W Reef LED Aquarium Light

NICREW 30W Reef LED Reef Light

Lominie LED Aquarium Light


AI Prime 16 HD Reef Aquarium LED (Last Resort Due To Price)


Thanks in advance!
 

blaxsun

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 15, 2020
Messages
26,709
Reaction score
31,146
Location
The Abyss
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
First, if you remove the canopy to upgrade the light your evaporation goes through the roof - requiring daily top-ups and/or an ATO. Second, while I don't own a Fluval EVO 13.5 - I've talked to a few folks locally that upgraded the stock light to the Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 Bluetooth LED (15-24") as this can sit in the existing bracket in the canopy. Just an idea to mull around.
 
OP
OP
CrazyDuck959

CrazyDuck959

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Messages
184
Reaction score
119
Location
Fairfax
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
First, if you remove the canopy to upgrade the light your evaporation goes through the roof - requiring daily top-ups and/or an ATO. Second, while I don't own a Fluval EVO 13.5 - I've talked to a few folks locally that upgraded the stock light to the Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 Bluetooth LED (15-24") as this can sit in the existing bracket in the canopy. Just an idea to mull around.
Oh it’s does fit, do you know if this has the proper lighting colors?
 
OP
OP
CrazyDuck959

CrazyDuck959

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Messages
184
Reaction score
119
Location
Fairfax
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
From what I've been told, yes. You can program any color spectrum you want through bluetooth - including a schedule, etc.
Well here is the update, I made a special modification so that it perfectly fits the spot. I might show how I did it in my build thread. But it is almost perfect other then the fact the light is a slight bit higher on one side then the other. But other then that it’s perfect! Thanks again for your recommendation! I owe you big time!
 

Attachments

  • 1A495C11-C71D-4CCA-9EBC-99022CF18395.jpeg
    1A495C11-C71D-4CCA-9EBC-99022CF18395.jpeg
    26.9 KB · Views: 170
  • F96D4833-2BFB-4109-ACB6-14C5097D9881.jpeg
    F96D4833-2BFB-4109-ACB6-14C5097D9881.jpeg
    45.6 KB · Views: 167

uhgster1

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 2, 2015
Messages
993
Reaction score
1,610
Location
Clarksville, TN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I think that in the long run you will end up buying an AI anyway. The other lights just don’t cut it or give you room for future higher end coral. I tried what your doing and the evaporation loss was resolved with an ato. Last two pics are with a filter, 13.5 gallon mixed.
D2CCAC5A-D4E6-4FE8-9C87-371107E36725.jpeg
CA54AA7C-AD7F-4759-B884-2BD3A147D2C7.jpeg
33B8B7EA-1750-4195-9E5A-C25316C39E23.jpeg
 

mckinney0171

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 10, 2017
Messages
554
Reaction score
629
Location
Richmond Hill, GA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
remove the lid, install an autoaqua ato (cheap and it work great), get a mesh lid from Aquonics (google them), then go with the AI Prime.
 
Back
Top