yes, another light question

[Ace25]

If your current lighting is adequate and all your looking for is the "MH Shimmer" there are much cheaper and easier ways of getting that, just put some white LEDs in your current light setup. As a general rule I like to use 10 white LEDs per 4' of tank to get the shimmer effect back when using T5's.

 

[xsdbs]

If your current lighting is adequate and all your looking for is the "MH Shimmer" there are much cheaper and easier ways of getting that, just put some white LEDs in your current light setup. As a general rule I like to use 10 white LEDs per 4' of tank to get the shimmer effect back when using T5's.

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wow, now I like that idea. I am looking for the shimmer. where do you get your LEDs from? They are the high output LEDs correct? Are you using a standard in wall power supply like the ones from radio shack. Are these 12 volt LEDs? For a 5 ft tank I guess I would use 12 or 13 LEDs, correct? Thanks

 

[Ace25]

I use a standard wall AC adapter like you mentioned, normal 3v 5mm LEDs from www.eled.com and a few resistors.

Here you go, my DIY LED light making tutorial from my thread.. The example is for making your own Moonlights, but works identical just replacing the 3mm blue with 5mm white LEDs to add the shimmer effect.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161222&page=24

 

[xsdbs]

thanks Ace, I"ll have to take a look at the link when I get a break later. I would have thought that they would be a higher voltage than 3v. thanks again

 

[Ace25]

Nope, the thing your looking for to get the shimmer back is simply a point of light, not a tube of light, and since it is just to add an effect to the tank and not meant to provide usable light I would go with the lowest wattage bulbs because they will usually last quite a bit longer than higher wattage and not require a heatsink.

I am actually going to do some presentations at this years MAX on how to build your own moonlights/shimmer lights and a combo of both in one strip for less than $20. People have started to slowly catch on about DIY moonlights, but some reason DIY "shimmer" lights aren't catching on as fast.

 

[xsdbs]

Ace, I finally got the time to look at & order my LEDs. When I spoke to the person I asked if they were a true "white" and he said that they are called "bright white" but do have a slightly whitish blue color to them. Do you think that I will still get a good effect with them. In my mind I am thinking that they are similar to the white led Xmas lights. Thanks