Supplemental lights from the sides?

[Salty_Box_Reef]

Considering running bare bottom, but looking around and there is a noticeable difference in light when compared to running white sand. That got me to thinking about supplementing some light from the sides possibly, even if I wasnt to go BB.. I have some white and blue GU10 leds I was thinking I could mount at anywhere from a 10deg angle to even 45deg but I think at 45 it would look very un-natural with little to no shadows. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[bct15]

The heat from the lights can crack the glass, especially with a huge temperature gradient between the water and the light.

 

[Salty_Box_Reef]

There's practically no heat from the led's and rarely more than a few deg difference in temp in my room.

 

[Lokii_37]

If you are going to be shining these thru the glass you will get a lot more film on your glass. I have a similar thing happen with my scrubber being in a box and having the CFL shine thru the acrylic.

 

[bct15]

There's practically no heat from the led's and rarely more than a few deg difference in temp in my room.

An led on the side of the glass will not be operating at the same temperature as the water inside the tank...that is why they are on heatsinks. To prolong their life, measure the temperature of the heatsink, it will be cooler then the actual led.