LED Spotlights = shimmer?

Amphiprion

Amphiprion

Contain the Excitement...
Feb 14, 2007
5,776
0
0
Mobile, Alabama
Real Name
Andrew
A few threads described using LEDs in order to create the shimmer effect that is missing in fluorescent lighted tanks. I was looking at the following spotlight bulbs, which fit a standard base: http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=196

I'm wondering if this has enough punch to accomplish what I want during the daylight hours. This is just for aesthetics only, though. I'm not really interested in a full LED lighting system. I have what we may as well consider zero experience with LEDs, minus the ones included in moonlights, so I'm not really sure if this will work the way I want it to. I basically have a clip-on fixture that will house this bulb. If it will work, I may even get two.

Thanks in advance
 
I think that light will make a "washed out" look in the spot it is pointing down on. Too many led's in a confined area. I try and think of the "shimmer" led's as the same as stars on a clear night, just tiny spots of light that flicker. All you really need is those points of light, doesn't have to be bright at all, and some surface movement, and you get your shimmer. The more LEDs you add, the more complex the shimmer pattern / lines become on the bottom of the tank.

Without trying one of those bulbs, my best guess is, it will be very bright in one spot and have a very tight/spiderweb looking shimmer pattern just below the spot it is mounted, but the shimmer effect will be less noticeable the further away from the bulb you go. Those are 15degree LEDs it says, VERY tight beams. Great if you only have like 6 of them spread out over your tank.

Try to look for something with far less bulbs, maybe a night light type of LED light, night light as in the type you put in kids rooms.

Here you go, find something like this... actually I like this one, remote control lights and color options! :)

http://www.uxsight.com/product/10089/e27-multicolor-led-light-bulb-with-remote-control.html

e27-multicolor-led-light-bulb-with-remote-control-xs0036081009c.jpg
 
Those cree bulbs would be a much better option than the spotlight. I still think you may need 2 of the cree bulbs over a 40G tank, but you can always start with one and if you think you need a second, add it later. 1 will still give you a pretty good shimmer, but may not cover the entire tank. At $30ea, that is $60 for 2 bulbs, I can build a better shimmer light for 1/3 the cost, as is the usual case for "retro" vs "fixture". ;)
 
True, but I'm not in the DIY mood :D. I don't plan on doing it immediately, but I wanted to get an idea of what I'd need to get the job done. I will more than likely, when I decide to do it, get one and see how I like it and just go from there. If I need two, I'll get the other eventually.
 
could always look at the bulb i bought from nano tuners, LOL it is only covering one gallon but holllly crap is there alot of shimmer

as for DIY electronics arent my thing so good luck

http://www.uxsight.com/product/10089...e-control.html

btw ace thanks for showing me that ^ that woulda been so perfect and alot cheaper!!! i dk if its enough power though
 
Yup, that is a nice LED strip as well.. still, I couldn't justify the cost ($70 for strip+power supply) and I still think I could build one that is better AND cheaper in just a couple minutes.

The problem I have with all these suggestions is the LEDs are too many, and too close to each other. You really don't need that many LEDs to add shimmer. My Ideal LED Shimmer light would be something that was built like that strip LED, except it would be little "Pods", 1 LED per Pod that is linkable and you just stick how ever many pods you need to get the shimmer. On my 30"x24" tank, I would only need 4-6 Pods spread around the tank to give me shimmer (if I wasn't running a MH already). That strip has 24 LEDs per 24" strip, way overkill and way to close to each other for what they are used for.... just overkill IMO. They would definitely work for shimmer though, no question about that.
 
Amp, forgive me. I am not trying to HIJACK your thread but did have a couple questions for Ace. Thanks,


Ace, I was looking at the company that you gave me a link to a short while back. (work has been had me on some crazy hrs)Being confused a little I sent them an email and the finally got back to me with a couple suggestions:


ECW102W 10x10mm LED w/ Reflector 23,000mcds @ 60deg angle
http://www.eled.com/product.asp?catalog_name=leds&product_id=ecw102w
ECW95W-2 10x10mm LED w/ Dome Lens 60,000mcds @ 20deg angle
http://www.eled.com/product.asp?catalog_name=leds&product_id=ecw95w-2

On eBay we're also promoting ESBW83W which is a 7.6x7.6mm Super Flux LED w/ 1,295mcd @ 70deg angle. With multiple Super Flux LEDs you may get the light dispersion coverage needed since it provides a wider viewing angle.
http://cgi.ebay.com/25pcs-7-6x7-6mm-White-Superflux-LED-Bag-Bulk-LEDs_W0QQitemZ300391209336QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45f0b61978
Any thoughts on them. Also when I was looking at them I saw ratings for Lumens and MCD. I would think that I would want the higher Lumens correct? I am not sure what the "MCD" means. Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom