Sump Lighting

[DarkReefer]

Hey guys,

So having just got the tank and still getting used to the sump etc, I was going to install a light in the cabinet in the sump area, purely so I can see in there and turn it on when I need to be checking/doing things in there. I've got an ikea display cabinet which I never use the light on. Was starting to install that but the screw MIGHT go through if I screw in all the way, so I stopped.
As I'm installing it under the tank itself on the ceiling of the cabinet I didn't want to risk it.
Might go see if I can find a shorter screw perhaps.

What have you guys done with your set up so you can see what you're doing?

I know some of you run refugium lights etc, but aside from that, anything else? Would love to see/hear opinions or ideas.

 

[Kaaaarrrll]

I bought some cheap magnetic PIR battery operated lights from Amazon. When i open the doors on the cabinet the lights automatically turn on and provide enough light to see whats going on.

 

[DarkReefer]

I bought some cheap magnetic PIR battery operated lights from Amazon. When i open the doors on the cabinet the lights automatically turn on and provide enough light to see whats going on.

Nice, just checked your build thread and they look to provide some very nice lighting.

 

[Kaaaarrrll]

I don't know if i would be braking some forum rules if I posted a link to Amazon so I won't, but if you search stick on cupboard lighting you should find something similar.

 

[DarkReefer]

I don't know if i would be braking some forum rules if I posted a link to Amazon so I won't, but if you search stick on cupboard lighting you should find something similar.

It's all good, I went on amazon and had a look and found what you were talking about.
Appreciate the info.

 

[Alchameth]

24V 48LED strips. 3 of them tied into 24V plug on the Apex, didn't want to have to worry about batteries. If I didn't have the Apex, you can get a 24V power adapter with toggle switch off Amazon for around $15.
Right now they are manual, and have them come on when I set my Maintenance mode, but picked up a breakout box so going to add a few magnetic switches so they come on when I open the door.

 

[vetteguy53081]

On one of my tanks, I use this tape light which sticks under cabinet well and lights up the whole cabinet in different colors via an included remote

 

[Joe31415]

I picked up a cheap LED strip light with a battery power source (so it wouldn't use up an outlet) and wired a door switch to it. Open the door and it turns on, close it and it turns off. The only thing that would make it nicer is if the light was actually bright instead of being one of the dimmest strip lights I've ever used. I'll swap it at some point. In the mean time I'm just using a cheap flashlight that was near the tank when I started setting everything up.

 

[Rudzbrewski]

Strip lights that change color and have a remote off amazon. Link to product should be in my build thread.

 

[Grill]

I went with a cheap led shop light LED Shop Light

 

[Joe31415]

I went with a cheap led shop light LED Shop Light

I think I might do that. I really like my LED strips on a door switch, but like I said, the ones I got are so dim they're essentially useless.
I might just run to hardware store and get an LED under-cabinet light and mount it up there. I'm planning/assuming I'll end up with a refugium at some point in the next year or so, so I'll have to make sure to save some space for that light, but I think I'll be okay.

 

[Joe31415]

I just scrapped the dim LED lights I had and replaced it with a free LED light from Harbor Freight. Ran some wires to an external battery back and a door switch. Much, much better and plenty of light now.

 

[Arcu2]

I put a single philips hue bar in my cabinet.

 

[Pakman2]

On one of my tanks, I use this tape light which sticks under cabinet well and lights up the whole cabinet in different colors via an included remote

@vetteguy53081 Did you tie the lights to a door switch? Or do you have to use the remote to turn them on and off?

 

[vetteguy53081]

@vetteguy53081 Did you tie the lights to a door switch? Or do you have to use the remote to turn them on and off?

I use remote
A Mercury switch would also work