DIY LED lights?

captmicha

captmicha

Le tired.
Dec 6, 2006
2,052
0
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Maryland, USA
I'm considering using LEDs instead of what I previously had in mind. Anybody know any links to really easy to understand DIY LED light hoods that will tell me which LEDs I need and how many watts for my tank size and depth and how to wire, etc.? I need a LEDs for aquarium lighting for Dummy's basically.

Thanks.
 
Contact Ace25 or DoctaQ. Ace25 has a huge long DIY LED build thread, and DoctaQ has helped me understand exactly what would be needed for my specific setup. I know there are other knowledgeable LED members on this forum but those are the two that pop into my head automatically when I think DIY LED.
 
LED DIY isn't to the book stage yet, but it is a lot simpler than it was even just couple of months ago.
There are a number of questions you need to answer first.
Freshwater or salt?
Salt water fish or reef and corals?
Fish and corals can use the same colors, but corals need a lot more PAR.
Freshwater fish tank or freshwater planted tank?
For just fish the numbers of LEDs needed may be a lot less than you think.
How large a tank? Depth matters for power of the individual LEDs.
A 12" deep tank may do better with more 1 watt LEDs than 3 watt LEDs.
Dimensions of tank? Front to back matters for how many rows of LEDs.

After that, you pick a driver (AC in one side - DC at constant current - out the other side. Pick your LED mix. Using thermal epoxy glue the LED 'stars' to your aluminum heat sink. Solder the LED emitters in series strings and/or multiple series strings in parallel. Connect that or those strings of LEDs to the driver. Plug in and be awed.
 
if we are talking about the 44 pentagon 22x22 then 24 leds should be enough, you can drive them all off of a single meanwell in series parallel, get the meanwell eln 60 48 (with no P or D at the end) and 24 cree xp-g r5 cool white.

with that model of meanwell you can adjust the brightness of the leds to the level you want, i lowered my light when my co2 went out and turned it back up when i got my co2 back.

if you are diy savy and want to save a few bucks you could make your own driver
 
I don't know what most of this means. And I've just started doing DIY. But it looks like I'm going to require help with this one. I don't think I can do this project alone.
 
captmicha said:
I don't know what most of this means. And I've just started doing DIY. But it looks like I'm going to require help with this one. I don't think I can do this project alone.
Click to expand...

An LED aquarium light is on the expensive side for a full beginner DIY project. The variables are complicated.
Pick up a retro-fit kit and start with pre-selected components.

http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-DIY-Retrofit-Kits/Categories

for instance. The pieces are known to work together.
 
It looks like your tanks are fish only.

Rapid LED is overpriced if you doing this for a freshwater fish only setup. Go on ebay look for cheap 1w or 3w white 6k-6.5k temp LED's get a meanwell 700 or dealextreme led driver and some aluminum square tube stock from a local metal shop as your heatsink.

I can diy a 48" light fixture using 3w or 1w leds for a freshwater tank for $30-40 bucks.

One of these days when I get some time I'll do up a build thread on one.
 
I would LOVE to see that Phil!

My tanks are all planted but also have fish. Having a tank with just plants and no fish just feels funny to me.
 
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