LED 24/7 Lighting

[TexasMFK31]

Morning all,

I am curious as to lighting for a big tank that is also 24/7. I love giving my inhabitants a day cycle, I just feel it's more natural. I have seem Beamswork have a 72" LED, but their strips are day or night. No ramp in and out. Finnex 24/7 are nice, but to cover a 8'x5.5' tank I'd need approx. 6 or so. This is pushing $1k in just lights. Curious what other cheaper options are out there that people have utilized. I am okay with doing a DIY of sorts, and plan on doing a Raspberry Pi controller for the entire system as well. So maybe that is an option? Let me know what you guys have done to light your big tanks.

Thanks,

 

[TheWolfman]

I have two 4’ fluval 3.0s on my 220 and they have a ramp up and ramp down setting. They weren’t cheap but you could possibly get away with having a few extra cheaper lights on old school timers come on when the Fluvals are at peak brightness for extra light. At least that way you get a sunrise and sunset.

 

[TexasMFK31]

I have two 4’ fluval 3.0s on my 220 and they have a ramp up and ramp down setting. They weren’t cheap but you could possibly get away with having a few extra cheaper lights on old school timers come on when the Fluvals are at peak brightness for extra light. At least that way you get a sunrise and sunset.

I didn't think of doing that. I have 2 48" Finnex currently on my 475 ATM. Maybe I find another pair, maybe 36" instead and then fill with cheaper shop lights.