TrueLumen Aquatic LED Strips 10-Inch 2-453nm Blue and 2-12000k LED Strip

This has many tidbits of information not included in the product listing. I hope you find this review helpful!Background on my setup. I've been running a 12 Gallon Current USA "Aquapod" saltwater aquarium since they were first released around 2005. It is well stocked with live rock structure, typical cleaner critters, a small Ocellaris clownfish, yellow watchman goby and pistol shrimp.The Aquapod is a great all-in-one system, but the lighting has always left a little to be desired. First off, the two 27 Watt compact fluorescent lamps have needed replacement every 12 - 18 months. While the price of these lamps has come down quite a bit, this has still been a considerable ongoing expense that over time has probably exceeded the original cost of the entire system. Secondly, even with exhaust fans in the hood, the CF lamps run fairly hot and it has been impossible to keep the tank water temperature reasonably cool (below 80) during the summer months.The electronics in my Aquapod hood started giving me issues a couple years ago. First the cooling fans burned out, which was a real bummer as now the tank ran warm year round. Then one of the light ballasts burned out. I limped by on one light for a long while, which was OK since my tank has low lighting needs. But a couple weeks ago the other ballast gave out, forcing me to take action.After spending several hours researching lighting options online, I decided to try this option. After a few days of running this retrofit, I couldn't possibly be happier.Advantages(1) An amazing price here on Amazon! At the time I purchased this, the cost of this specific light strip was a little over $25. Almost everywhere else online, the cost was nearly twice that.(2) Installation was VERY easy. There are small screws included and two peel off mounting tape pads. I just removed and discarded all the electronics from my hood (lights, ballasts, wiring, etc), stuck back in the mirrored reflector plate, and affixed this light strip to it. Although the strip is super light weight (probably only an ounce or so), I used both for long term mounting security.(3) As the LED's are a point source light, rippling water on the top produces a very aesthetically pleasing "shimmering" effect. I used to have a tank with a metal halide light, and have always loved this natural dappled light look.(4) Eco and wallet friendly! Power usage is super low and listed on the packaging as 3 Watts. The original two lamps in the Aquapod hood were 27 Watts EACH. Over time I'm hopeful that I will not only save frequent bulb replacement costs, but the savings on my electrical bill will easily pay back the cost this product as compared to the compact fluorescent lamps.(5) These seem to generate virtually no heat. My tank (in August) is now running much cooler between 74 - 76 degrees!(6) Since the LED moonlights in my Aquapod are still going strong after almost 8 years, hopefully this light strip will also have a very long life. The packaging the light strip comes in says this will last "up to 50,000 hours". At 8 hours a day, that would be over 17 years!Disadvantages(1) The total light output of a single strip is very good, but not stunningly bright. My subjective opinion is that a single light strip is about 2/3 as bright as one of my old 27 Watt lamps. Since my tank inhabitants have lower light needs, I can get by fine with running a single strip. If you have higher light needs (plants, corals and such) and are shooting for an acceptable replacement of the original Aquapod lighting (totaling 54 Watts), then I'd definitely get three of these strips.(2) Not really a disadvantage - but please don't buy this product thinking it plugs directly into the wall. Many people on other online pet supply sites give this a bad review simply for this reason. To run this light strip, you will also need to purchase the "TrueLumen 12-Volt Power Supplier for TrueLumen LED Strips and Lunar Lights". If you want to run MULITIPLE strips off one power supply, that is possible, but you will also need the "TrueLumen 3-Way Splitter Cable for TrueLumen LED Strips, Lunar Lights and TrueLumen Pro LED Strips".Bottom line = For slightly under $38 ($25 for the light strip and $12 for the power supply) I've found a wonderful lighting solution for my 12 Gallon Aquapod that looks great and will hopefully serve me for many years! Highly recommended!

All 4 LED’s failed in one week.

Small light and compact. I would not use it as the sole lighting for my tank, but adding this light has given my tank good color and has helped tremendously with my plants growth. I simply mounted it directly under the hood, fully exposed to water and splashing and whatever else may happen. I used aquarium safe super glue and the sticky pads that come with it. Had it a month or more now and it is water proof and no problems yet

Well.. let me start of by pointing out the importing part that makes this light work. Do make sure u buy the power cord, these will not plug into a wall outlet. I knew this, many people don't, I agree they should sell it with the power cord unless your just buying extra strips. Now on to my review. I'm using one strip with two 12k white, and two blue, the blue lights are more a moon glow type blue so keep that in mind when u buy this one. It's going to be pretty dim also. I'm using this one light strip on a RedSea Max 130 and one light is clearly not enough light brightness for me taste it's spotty/patchy on top of not being bright enough. And another thing to keep in mind is this light has 4 lights on this strip blue, white, blue, white. So... guess what happens when u have more blue lights to one side and more white to the other?? U get a white lighted side of the tank and a blue on the other side, well moon glow I should say. So I'm going to buy a second strip and reverse it opposite, of how I have it on the back side under of my hood, then maybe the whites and blues will mix better together and I hope it lights the tank up more it's just to dark alone with just the LEDs. Truthfully, I'm really just going for the shimmer it puts off, which is nice, if this strip is the only lighting u have in your tank, other wise your going to be washed out by your normal tank lights against theses strips. I have T5 lighting on my tank and when they kick on it just really washes them out. I mean ur still getting a bit of a nicer color over all due to all the extra blue color your adding, but don't count on much lol. I do recommend two or more light strips if your going for a nice bright daylight type over all lighting on your tank, and you wanna have evenly mixed color threw out the tank. Oh also my coral really like the LEDs my Zoa's are at the top of the tank so it's going to help grow them as well as adding the shimmer. Plus, your also going to get that cool fluorescent color from your corals u only see under the dark blue lights. If my lights stand the test of time I'll change my review rating. I hope this helps and screw the LEDs into your tank don't count on the sticky tape to hold! The heat from the water at night will cause moisture and will lead to the tape coming unstuck and your lights will be in the tank in the morning and if u left them on over night u may have fried fish for breakfast lol.Update: blue lights died pretty quick time to buy a new set.

I got these to go in a small, 10 gallon, aquarium and had to turn right around and order the dimmer for the lights because they were so bright! Having been scuba diving a number of times, the mixture of blue and white lighting gives the aquarium a natural oceanic feel I have not witnessed above water. I would highly recommend these lights to anyone looking for bright aquarium lights that reveal the true colors of underwater life and allow even the tiniest details to be seen.Coincidently, my aquarium volcano bubbler with a red LED is positioned directly under one of the blue LED's in the light strip. With the LED strip dimmed, my two inch high lava eruption has a blue "smoke plume" that spreads for several inches at the bubble/surface interface directly over the volcano. Accidental, but superb special effect.