Retro fit help
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Help
Forum Name: General Help
Forum Description: The place to ask about pest, problems, hitchhikers, etc.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=82612
Printed Date: December 21 2025 at 1:08pm
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Topic: Retro fit help
Posted By: JD_Duval87
Subject: Retro fit help
Date Posted: May 22 2017 at 2:23am
Hi everyone! New to the board but not to the hobby. But i recently purchased a 24G JBJ Nano tank, and I'd like to retrofit an AI Super Blue into the lid, I'm not experienced in this area however. Could anyone send some suggestions or help in anyway? Thanks very much in advance! 
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Replies:
Posted By: Krazie4Acans
Date Posted: May 22 2017 at 8:59am
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Check out the DIY section. I believe that there are a couple of 24g JBJ light hood modifications covered there. I'm not sure if there is one for the AI but it may give you enough details to fill in what you need. I had a 28g JBJ that I did a retro LED build in that worked pretty well. My issue was that the hood is soo close to the water surface it is really hard to get the LED's to blend well before they get to the coral. I ended up building a small frame and raising the hood up about 3.5" off the tank to get mine to work well. You may find it easier to run it without the hood and hang the light over the tank instead of trying to fit it into the hood. ------------- My ocean. 90g (yup, won it!), 40g, 28g, & 10g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=63568&title=krazies-nano-paradise" rel="nofollow - Tank Thread: |
Posted By: Aquaristnewbie
Date Posted: May 22 2017 at 1:54pm
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Welcome! I am interested in doing this or a retrofit on my biocube 14 as well. I like the look of the stock hood is my problem. I have seen a few people who have done the AI on a nano hood and they basically cut a hole on top of the hood for the light above the old splash shield and gutted the hood. They then just mounted this to the hood. I dont remember if they said they liked it or not but I have seen it done. If I find anything interesting in my searches I will post some links here for you. ------------- 150 gallon Reef Millcreek Utah |
Posted By: kevin.st
Date Posted: May 22 2017 at 2:27pm
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The issue with a ai nano or similar in the hood is the spread. You usually see these nano lights mounted a foot or so over the water so the spread is sufficient. You will see that the real retrofit kits are spread out over the water to account for this close distance.
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Posted By: JD_Duval87
Date Posted: May 22 2017 at 2:50pm
| Thanks for the replys everyone. So the smartest thing i should do is just trash the hood and go hoodless? Lol thats ok with me really because i like the look a little better to be honest. I might mount a pole behind the tank and hang the light and put some thin netting over the top of the tank to prevent jumpers lol. |
Posted By: Aquaristnewbie
Date Posted: May 22 2017 at 2:55pm
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Going hoodless is the easiest most favored way. A lot of the lights I have been looking at usually have some sort of mounting they come with that clips onto the tank itself. I have seen many people do this and it looks very nice. I just prefer the look of the hood to keep everything hidden. I have seen a lot of people cut some egg crate to fit onto the top of the tank to prevent jumpers and it looks pretty decent as well. This is definitely the cheapest route to go as well from what I have been finding. If you are willing to lose the hood I would say go for it! ------------- 150 gallon Reef Millcreek Utah |
Posted By: Scottyb
Date Posted: May 22 2017 at 3:21pm
| I recently retrofitted a radian xr-15 into my 28 jbj Nano. I wanted to keep the hood so that fish couldn't jump out and to slow down evaporation I think it turned out pretty well but the tank is still new I will post pictures soon |
Posted By: JD_Duval87
Date Posted: May 22 2017 at 3:22pm
| Yes let me know when you do please! |
Posted By: Aquaristnewbie
Date Posted: May 22 2017 at 3:26pm
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Just found this thread. I am considering trying this now. Hopefully this helps a little. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/installing-ai-prime-into-14-g-biocube-hood.204597/ ------------- 150 gallon Reef Millcreek Utah |
Posted By: JD_Duval87
Date Posted: May 22 2017 at 3:30pm
| Hey thanks! Thats a great idea as well! |
Posted By: Scottyb
Date Posted: June 06 2017 at 9:24pm
Sorry, just saw this again and remembered I didn't follow up..here are a few pics of my retro fit of my ration   
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Posted By: JD_Duval87
Date Posted: June 06 2017 at 10:08pm
| Nice! Looks good! |
Posted By: Aquaristnewbie
Date Posted: June 06 2017 at 10:24pm
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Looks great! How does the tank look? ------------- 150 gallon Reef Millcreek Utah |
Posted By: Scottyb
Date Posted: June 07 2017 at 7:20pm
| Still new, only two fish and no corals yet, lol. Going to add some corals with in the next week or so :) |