AI Prime retrofit?

[mozer67]

Does anyone think an AI prime could somehow be retro fitted into a CL biocube 29 without chopping the lid up too much? Thanks !

[mozer67]

No input?

[jedimasterben]

IMHO if you try that you'll end up having a bad time at some point in the future. The stock hoods are not well-ventilated, and though it doesn't use much power (therefore not making much heat), the Prime cooling isn't great to begin with, much less if it is enclosed tightly in a hood.

[mozer67]

Thanks JMB. Do you have any suggestions on one of the retrofits that are out there (rapid, Steve's, nanobox)? Any one of them better than the other?

[rone_kevin66]

Steves is one of the best for the bc hood. Why not just good hoodless and open it up to more lighting options

[Horerczy]

If we're talking retrofits, Nanobox is the best. Minimal hood alterations and best spectrum or if the box.

 

Steve's can have good spectrum but you have to hack the hood up to fit them.

[Exodus]

regardless what fixture you use to stuff under the Biocube hood, it will be cramped in there behind a splash guard letting very little of the generated heat to disperse. These electronics require cooling for a lengthy lifespan and operating under non optimal conditions will shorten their life span. So yes an AI Prime or Nanobox would work just fine in there but do not expect them to last for their full potential. I personally would recommend changing out the stock fans on the Biocube hood as well if you choose to go this route, or you could simply tear the hood off and go rimless.

[Horerczy]

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/360022-nano-box-retro-aio-install-how-to/#entry5005837

 

A nanobox retro example. It will last fine in the hood. Same as any other properly designed retrofit kit.