Has anyone ever made these before?
http://www.servangle.net/reef/led/
http://www.servangle.net/reef/led/
LED Aquarium Lighting
- Thread starter fishguy
- Start date
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reefrunner69
Aquarium Advice Addict
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=6571&highlight=led
I'm pretty sure Hara did the LED moonlights.
I'm pretty sure Hara did the LED moonlights.
dustybrannum
Aquarium Advice Freak
My question is why do you have to use a 12v source as long as you compensate with the resistors. Why not use the source for your walkman or any small electronic battery powered device. They come with a converter. My only problem is they do seem to get warm.
using a 12volt source allows you to use longer wires and run more LEDs.
the lower your voltage, the greater the loss incured over a wire of X feet and X gauge. so 12 volts would be more efficient over a 6-10ft piece of wire than 3volts.
edit:
I just read that link, and although it looks very nice, what could be the advantage of using so many expensive LEDs as opposed to a simple 13 watt daytinic bulb for a nano reef or a 250 watt MH for a major reef?
the 100's of leds required to light a 55+ gallon tank would cost a fortune, not to mention all the time spent to solder each one into that grid contraption. Even if you didn't have to replace the bulbs for 5+ years, it still sounds like too much work for too little payoff.
** neat article however - thanks for sharing it.
the lower your voltage, the greater the loss incured over a wire of X feet and X gauge. so 12 volts would be more efficient over a 6-10ft piece of wire than 3volts.
edit:
I just read that link, and although it looks very nice, what could be the advantage of using so many expensive LEDs as opposed to a simple 13 watt daytinic bulb for a nano reef or a 250 watt MH for a major reef?
the 100's of leds required to light a 55+ gallon tank would cost a fortune, not to mention all the time spent to solder each one into that grid contraption. Even if you didn't have to replace the bulbs for 5+ years, it still sounds like too much work for too little payoff.
** neat article however - thanks for sharing it.
reefrunner69
Aquarium Advice Addict
The link I provided tells you how to DIY LED moonlights, you can mount them however you like 
Todd2
Aquarium Advice Freak
I've also heard of people using blue rope light that you can get at Lowes or Walmart.
ahh, the rope light rumor
-yes- one could use rope light, but then if going that route, why not just use a pair of those blue party-bulbs they sell for $1.99
the problem with this is the color purity of the light. rope light and party-bulbs produce light of about 2700-3000K (via tungenston filament). So you take this predominately red/yellow light, and put a cheap blue filter over it.
The result is very little usable blue light, along with plenty of red and green, not to mention a considerable amount of heat.
LED or neon moonlights produce light using a more advanced technology, and produce it a lot more efficiently and precisely.
Go to an auto parts store and look for neon accent lights ... this is what I currently use for my 30 gallon and they work great ... I have 2 11" bulbs taped inside my light fixture, and they light the tank almost too well.
-yes- one could use rope light, but then if going that route, why not just use a pair of those blue party-bulbs they sell for $1.99
the problem with this is the color purity of the light. rope light and party-bulbs produce light of about 2700-3000K (via tungenston filament). So you take this predominately red/yellow light, and put a cheap blue filter over it.
The result is very little usable blue light, along with plenty of red and green, not to mention a considerable amount of heat.
LED or neon moonlights produce light using a more advanced technology, and produce it a lot more efficiently and precisely.
Go to an auto parts store and look for neon accent lights ... this is what I currently use for my 30 gallon and they work great ... I have 2 11" bulbs taped inside my light fixture, and they light the tank almost too well.
