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Need help lighting up two jars


Halo_003

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One is going to be a mixed reef(JAR A), the other is a planted betta(JAR B).

 

Would like to DIY a single 3up for each.

 

JAR A plan:

Jar is about 9" tall

Mixed reef with softies and macro, will figure out a micro pump to go internal maybe, plan is to have the jar sealed though to limit evaporation to zero if possible. .25"-.5" sandbed if I use sand at all.

 

I was thinking:

 

1x 3up Tristar Antidisco - with 2x RB and 1x Cool White - is this a decent color mix? I'm shooting for around 15,000K color temp on it, similar to the Kessil Tuna Blue.

1x SemiLED 400-410nm Violet - would like for extra pop, could do the 410-420nm one though. - not 100% necessary.

1x RapidLED Moonlight Driver

 

Would it need anything else? I know a small heatsink of course, but anything other than that?

 

~$30 with heatsink

 

 

 

JAR B plan:

Jar is like 15" tall

Planted w/ betta maybe, if not then some crystal or ghost shrimp maybe.

 

Thinking:

 

1x 3up Tristar Antidisco - with 1x Cool White, 1x Lime, 1x Warm white 2,700K - is this a decent color mix? I'm shooting for around 8-10,000K color temp on it.

1x RapidLED Moonlight Driver

 

~$25 with heatsink and DIY mounting

 

 

 

What do you guys make of that? I was thinking it's a decent plan, and sleeker than a chinese PAR bulb. Not sure yet what heatsink would be good for them.

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I can't chip in for lights, but I can say that unless the betta's jar is tank-sized (at least two gallons), you're better off with shrimp. They need swimming room, and surface area for oxygen exchange because their fins don't deal well with the flow needed for good surface agitation. A filter with a spray bar, maybe, to keep the water moving gently. Red cherry or crystal shrimp would be cool, especially if you planted the tank! And there are other awesome varieties. :happy:

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I can't chip in for lights, but I can say that unless the betta's jar is tank-sized (at least two gallons), you're better off with shrimp. They need swimming room, and surface area for oxygen exchange because their fins don't deal well with the flow needed for good surface agitation. A filter with a spray bar, maybe, to keep the water moving gently. Red cherry or crystal shrimp would be cool, especially if you planted the tank! And there are other awesome varieties. :happy:

After measuring the Jar is approx 1.9G when filled with water, dimensions are about 6"x15" roughly. Kinda on the lower end but I was thinking it should be okay. (Betta jar) I was thinking of an air pump with flow slowed way down for the betta jar would be fine for movement. Do you think that would work? I could maybe do like a really micro canister filter as well. (Would want the filter to not be in the tank if possible. (not sure that is).

 

For the reef jar, it's like 9"x4.5", and about 1.75L.

 

I can't help with lights, but I love the planted FW vs reef idea. I have a similar thing planned eith 12gals. I can't wait to see how yours progress

Thanks! It hit me as I exited the interstate today on the way back from school. All of a sudden I was at Michael's picking up jars. I like that they're different sizes and I like the idea of them being right next to each other on a floating black wall mounted shelf. (Could build in the canister filter and/or air pump into this tiny shelf.

 

My 20G long is nice, but it isn't in my room, so I need something in there to keep me entertained. :)

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After measuring the Jar is approx 1.9G when filled with water, dimensions are about 6"x15" roughly. Kinda on the lower end but I was thinking it should be okay. (Betta jar) I was thinking of an air pump with flow slowed way down for the betta jar would be fine for movement. Do you think that would work? I could maybe do like a really micro canister filter as well. (Would want the filter to not be in the tank if possible. (not sure that is).

 

For the reef jar, it's like 9"x4.5", and about 1.75L.

 

Yeah, the width is an issue. They get marketed towards bettas, but bettas are tropical fish that get bored really easily. When they're healthy, they're constantly inspecting their 'territory', poking their noses anywhere they can get them, begging for food. When they don't have enough space to swim they get bored, start nipping at their own fins, get lethargic, ill, etc. You could get away with switching those two dimensions (a shallow jar?). A micro canister would be better than bubbling, either with a spray bar or sponge attached to the output to diffuse current. And you'd need space for a heater (their optimal temp would be 78-81F), a lid, etc. Meanwhile a shrimp tank could house quite a few little guys, especially if you put something like a moss-covered branch inside that they could climb.

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Yeah, the width is an issue. They get marketed towards bettas, but bettas are tropical fish that get bored really easily. When they're healthy, they're constantly inspecting their 'territory', poking their noses anywhere they can get them, begging for food. When they don't have enough space to swim they get bored, start nipping at their own fins, get lethargic, ill, etc. You could get away with switching those two dimensions (a shallow jar?). A micro canister would be better than bubbling, either with a spray bar or sponge attached to the output to diffuse current. And you'd need space for a heater (their optimal temp would be 78-81F), a lid, etc. Meanwhile a shrimp tank could house quite a few little guys, especially if you put something like a moss-covered branch inside that they could climb.

Ahh I see. In that case maybe I'll stick to plants and some crystal shrimp. :) thanks.

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Ahh I see. In that case maybe I'll stick to plants and some crystal shrimp. :) thanks.

 

Good luck! Especially with controlling plant growth in the FW jar! ;)

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Depending on the plants chosen It's a bit like growing fern caulerpa. ;)

Excellent. I was thinking I would get this to help me prune etc.

 

 

Any thoughts on how those LED combos would look?

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Excellent. I was thinking I would get this to help me prune etc.

 

 

Any thoughts on how those LED combos would look?

 

Excuse me while I shamelessly change that link to a smile.amazon link for that item, so you can choose a charity for a percentage of the purchase to go to.

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I wouldn't use a moonlight driver for main lighting.

 

These are better for the task since they're dimmable: http://www.rapidled.com/0-10v-dimmable-nano-driver-with-potentiometer/

 

It also has a higher voltage capacity so more leds can be utilized.

 

I'd also swap the violet out for either an LEDGroupBuy one or one of these http://shop.stevesleds.com/Hyper-Violet-V30-Vio30.htm.


As for color combos I need to dig up some old files I had for tiny reef lights but Dave's Flare would be a good light to emulate for the fresh jar.

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I wouldn't use a moonlight driver for main lighting.

 

These are better for the task since they're dimmable: http://www.rapidled.com/0-10v-dimmable-nano-driver-with-potentiometer/

 

It also has a higher voltage capacity so more leds can be utilized.

 

I'd also swap the violet out for either an LEDGroupBuy one or one of these http://shop.stevesleds.com/Hyper-Violet-V30-Vio30.htm.

 

As for color combos I need to dig up some old files I had for tiny reef lights but Dave's Flare would be a good light to emulate for the fresh jar.

 

Good points. I tried to copy Dave's flare best I could with only 3 LEDs.

 

Will use those drivers instead, and will use one of Steve's hyper violets since I'm going to be ordering the 3ups from him anyways.

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