Hi guys.
When I first got my fluval edge,I didn't like the lighting - the stock halogens just didn't do it for me. Although I'm now on a full CFL mod rather than using the MR16s as outlined below, I thought it might be helpful to post a guide on here anyway, incase anyone wants to try it.
So, MR11 to MR16s - I was going to go for the MR11 LEDs but there had been talk of corrosion and at £15-20 per bulb is was much more attractive to change the fittings and have a much wider range of lighting options. Also - there's barely any temp change - not one that will affect the water temp anyway!
1. First thing is to unscrew the lighting rig and remove it! There are four screws on the arms which need to be removed so you can un-clip from the main body.
2. Make sure you take the four screws out of the MR11 fittings and then cut the wires going to the transformer and to the switch - the MR11 fittings should just pull out.
3. Attach a terminal block to the transformer wire and the switch wire.
4. Take your two MR16 fittings and pop the wires through the holes in the lighting arm. I got mine from ebay for £3 for 5
5. Twist the bottom two MR16 fitting wires together and the bottom two MR16 wires together then connect the BOTTOM to the switch terminal block and the TOP to the transformer terminal block.
6. Screw the connectors into place, and reattach the lighting arm.
7. Pop in your MR16 LEDs
8. Switch on! Pic 1 shows the LEDs and for comparison Pic 2 shows the standard halogens (both using MR16 sockets).
When I first got my fluval edge,I didn't like the lighting - the stock halogens just didn't do it for me. Although I'm now on a full CFL mod rather than using the MR16s as outlined below, I thought it might be helpful to post a guide on here anyway, incase anyone wants to try it.
So, MR11 to MR16s - I was going to go for the MR11 LEDs but there had been talk of corrosion and at £15-20 per bulb is was much more attractive to change the fittings and have a much wider range of lighting options. Also - there's barely any temp change - not one that will affect the water temp anyway!
1. First thing is to unscrew the lighting rig and remove it! There are four screws on the arms which need to be removed so you can un-clip from the main body.
2. Make sure you take the four screws out of the MR11 fittings and then cut the wires going to the transformer and to the switch - the MR11 fittings should just pull out.
3. Attach a terminal block to the transformer wire and the switch wire.
4. Take your two MR16 fittings and pop the wires through the holes in the lighting arm. I got mine from ebay for £3 for 5
5. Twist the bottom two MR16 fitting wires together and the bottom two MR16 wires together then connect the BOTTOM to the switch terminal block and the TOP to the transformer terminal block.
6. Screw the connectors into place, and reattach the lighting arm.
7. Pop in your MR16 LEDs
8. Switch on! Pic 1 shows the LEDs and for comparison Pic 2 shows the standard halogens (both using MR16 sockets).
