LED Spotlight

Credit of LED bulb to Tom619 at SDReefs

Summary - Ingredient List - A LED spotlight bulb. $10~20. Here are some options: 120-lumen white bulb from dealextreme, 150-lumen white bulb from dealextreme, blue bulb from ebay. - LAGRA spotlight from Ikea. ($3.99 + tax) - E17 to E27 Converter from LEDLight. ($3.99 + SH) - Dimmer from Ikea. ($7.99 + tax) Total cost: ~$30 per moonlight setup

For this demonstration, I used the old LED spotlight originally sold by centralpointsecurity on ebay. I do not recommend this bulb, though I have yet to use the newer bulb listed above.
These particular bulbs work quite well as moonlights, though slightly lacking in terms of actinic supplementation. I doubt this would be strong enough as a supplement to T5s to add shimmer. The build quality is also questionable. Would not recommend this particular bulb. The dimmer is not recommended with use with most LED bulbs, but if you plan on using it only as a moonlight, it seems to be ok.

For a cheap way to light the bulb, you can just use a regular socket ($1-2 at your local hardware store; see below for picture), with an extension cord ($1). ($12 total cost for setup).


However, for just $10~15 more, you can have a much nicer looking spotlight moonlight. (Click on images below for online link/source.)
LAGRA spotlight from Ikea. $3.99 + tax

E17 to E27 Converter from LEDLight. $3.99 + SH

The dimmer from Ikea is an option if you have plans to use the bulb as moonlights. However, be aware that they may damage your bulb.

Dimmer from Ikea. $7.99 + tax

Assembly is pretty self-explanatory.

Here are the results:






As a moonlight, I found the dimmer essential.

360 Degree View Plumbing

As I was looking for ideas on how to plumb my new nano, I came across this tank.
It's plumbed to a canister filter, so no concern for sump overflow.
I kept trying to figure out ways I can do without a true overflow and it seems if I want a truly clean tank, this method using canister filter seems to be the best way.

However, my thoughts were to DIY a custom canister filter.
I have an eheim 2234 but (1) not enough flow, (2) no light or space for chaeto/heater.

Instead, based on this article, considering making a custom canister filter with a 12L Lock n Lock container. Add an inline heater.

Parts needed:
1. 12L Lock-n-Lock plastic

2. Eheim 1000 (265 gph, 3.0"x2.1"x3.7") / Eheim 1250 (317 gph, 7.1"x3.8"x4.7") / Eheim 1260 (635 gph, 8.6"x4.6"x6.3")
3. plastic hose
4. Clear tube - FOC (from old filter)
L-joint - FOC (from old stuff)
Suction clips - FOC (from old stuff)
7. Silicon
8. Submersible light

9. Inline heater

Now, the cons of using a canister filter:
(1) harder to access equipment (pump)
(2) limited to external skimmer or NO skimmer.
(3) no ATO (besides straight to tank)
(4) no controller
(5) no automated dosing

Now the question would be:
is it worth all the cons for this 4-side view?

After all this, I may just end up with a triangular overflow and just sump it.