Mugwump's Fish World

Other topics and Interests => Do-It-Yourself Things => Topic started by: Mugwump on December 09, 2012, 08:07:34 PM

Title: DIY lights
Post by: Mugwump on December 09, 2012, 08:07:34 PM
LED's....
Title: Re: DIY lights
Post by: P4Angels on December 09, 2012, 10:41:14 PM
Great DIY...  Until you go and look at the price to make them....
Title: Re: DIY lights
Post by: Mugwump on December 10, 2012, 06:02:26 AM
Quote from: P4Angels on December 09, 2012, 10:41:14 PM
Great DIY...  Until you go and look at the price to make them....

LOL....I hear ya....I wonder if it'd be cheaper to 'cherry pic' the idea and shop the parts??
Title: Re: DIY lights
Post by: sschind on December 10, 2012, 12:23:42 PM
To the best of my figuring he spent roughly $410.  I may have missed a few things and shipping is not in there so figure about $425.00

That is not too bad considering the amount of light he is getting.  Plus the ability to dim it.  If you don't want the dimmers the drivers are a little cheaper. 

he has 40 bulbs all capable of running at about 3 watts if he wants to.  Most low end LED fixtures (even the reef ready ones) use .5 to 1 watt LEDs.  This will be a very bright light.

by using the 3 colors of white along with the blue and the dimmers he will be able to adjust the look and more importantly the spectrum to whatever he needs it to be. 

It may not be a cheaper alternative but it is certainly more flexible and if you are going to get into a commercially available system that will give you the flexibility this does (if there are any)  it may very well be a lot cheaper.

I doubt I'll ever use it but thanks for the video Jon, I'm definitely putting Rapid LED in my favorites.   
Title: Re: DIY lights
Post by: Mugwump on December 10, 2012, 12:33:07 PM
You hit the nail on the head, Steve..it's very adaptable to types of tanks, and fish. Also, with that output and spectrum, it should work well with plants. The lower powered LED's don't penatrate deep enough for some plants.
Title: Re: DIY lights
Post by: b125killer on December 11, 2012, 06:25:14 AM
Them are some cool lights but too much money for me.
Title: Re: DIY lights
Post by: Jo on December 11, 2012, 08:51:49 AM
Too much $ for me too! I found an article somewhere on some chicken brooder lights that was really cool! I want to try that sometime.