MMantelli
Aquarium Advice Addict
This ones for phishfriend and Jasoncwrd2002. Sorry it took so long.
I've been seeing a lot of questions about DIY led lights so i figured id put this together for y'all. Here is a list of what I used with the links to where I got them and then all the pictures and even a link to an instructional video (not mine) on how to solder the pieces together. So go grab some popcornsit back and enjoy the read.
1 5m roll of waterproof 3528 blue led lights (the 5050 are brighter) $14.00
waterproof 5 m led strip | eBay
1-led controller (dimmer switch) $5.00
led dimmer | eBay
1 120-12v 2a/2000Ma adapter $4.00
led dimmer | eBay
1 Tube elctronics solder $0 already had
Soldering iron just a cheap one if you use a too powerful one it can fry the strip
1 stick 1x3/4" wood $0 already had it laying around
1 roll electrical tape $0 already had
Some small zip ties $0 already had laying around
The first thing I did was figure out how many runs I wanted i went with 3 but in hindsight I would have rather used 2. I did 2 runs on my 20 and it was a lot better at night since it is in my bedroom. I can always take electrical tape and tape every 4th set off or something like that.
Next I made the mount for the strips to mount to the top of my tank and painted it black.
While that was drying i watched this video on how to solder these strips together.
I measures out 3 runs of leds and cut them 2" shorter than my tank. I did that to leave enough room for the legs and the connections I would be soldering soon.
I soldered the strips together (refer back to the video) and attached them to the mount with zip ties (the strips have 3m sticky on the back but I didn't trust it being over water) then electrical taped the ends where wire and solder was exposed.
Next I soldered the controller to the strips I used this controller due to the slimness of it.
I had originally ordered this one but it was just too bulky and what not so I used it as a controller for a hallway light i made with the what i had left over after making the lights for the tanks.
After that I soldered the power supply to the other end of the controller. I jacked the power supply from my old wi-fi router as it was the correct rating.
this one i bought online for the other tank and the hallway nightlight.
I've been seeing a lot of questions about DIY led lights so i figured id put this together for y'all. Here is a list of what I used with the links to where I got them and then all the pictures and even a link to an instructional video (not mine) on how to solder the pieces together. So go grab some popcornsit back and enjoy the read.
1 5m roll of waterproof 3528 blue led lights (the 5050 are brighter) $14.00
waterproof 5 m led strip | eBay
1-led controller (dimmer switch) $5.00
led dimmer | eBay
1 120-12v 2a/2000Ma adapter $4.00
led dimmer | eBay
1 Tube elctronics solder $0 already had
Soldering iron just a cheap one if you use a too powerful one it can fry the strip
1 stick 1x3/4" wood $0 already had it laying around
1 roll electrical tape $0 already had
Some small zip ties $0 already had laying around
The first thing I did was figure out how many runs I wanted i went with 3 but in hindsight I would have rather used 2. I did 2 runs on my 20 and it was a lot better at night since it is in my bedroom. I can always take electrical tape and tape every 4th set off or something like that.
Next I made the mount for the strips to mount to the top of my tank and painted it black.
While that was drying i watched this video on how to solder these strips together.
I measures out 3 runs of leds and cut them 2" shorter than my tank. I did that to leave enough room for the legs and the connections I would be soldering soon.
I soldered the strips together (refer back to the video) and attached them to the mount with zip ties (the strips have 3m sticky on the back but I didn't trust it being over water) then electrical taped the ends where wire and solder was exposed.
Next I soldered the controller to the strips I used this controller due to the slimness of it.
I had originally ordered this one but it was just too bulky and what not so I used it as a controller for a hallway light i made with the what i had left over after making the lights for the tanks.
After that I soldered the power supply to the other end of the controller. I jacked the power supply from my old wi-fi router as it was the correct rating.
this one i bought online for the other tank and the hallway nightlight.
Last edited: