diy led lights

[Joefrommi65]

Hi all,
I am looking at retrofitting my existing hood lights to led ,I was wondering if anyone can tell me if any knows how they will work for plants. I don't want to get to crazy no co2 or any plant that's needs special care. I am looking at buying these off ebay because I am cheap.....lol ,I also want to use mainly white lights but I want to add some blue for night time effect. I have been searching the web and everything is confusing to me as far as conversion from florescent to led. The leds I am looking at have these specs:
Specifics:
5050 SMD
Color: cool white
View angle:120°
Working Voltage: 12V DC
Power adapter for 5 M : 5A(60W)
LED Quantity: 300 LEDS / 5 Meter
Protection grade: IP 65, Waterproof
Working Temperature:-20 to 60°
Diameter: 177mm

Thanks,Joe

 

[Ian086]

Hey Joe. I have similar lights to those, the same in fact, except in the RGB(coloured version). They are nice lights and do a good job on the tank but are no good for growing plants. They will grow very low light plants like Water Sprite, Wisteria etc but I have to float them. If you want the blue effect, get the RGB version. You can have thousands of colour combos. What size tank have you got????......

 

[tonedogz]

you should be looking for 120 volt ac not 12 volt dc

 

[Ian086]

you should be looking for 120 volt ac not 12 volt dc

Why would you need 120 volt???

 

[tonedogz]

because 12 volt dc is battery operated unless thats what you want

 

[tonedogz]

unless you have a transformer with it.

 

[Ian086]

unless you have a transformer with it.

They do come with a mains connected transformer. The transformer outputs 12v!!!. They use very little power.....

 

[tonedogz]

Oh okay cool

 

[MMantelli]

Here's my thread on my first set of diy led lights. There the same thing your looking for bit there just the blue ones. Mabey it will give you an idea of what you need.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/diy-led-lights-256891.html

 

[Joefrommi65]

Very cool lights,This is what I am looking for what did you mount them too ?

 

[MMantelli]

Just a piece of wood trim I painted black I used what I had lying around lol.