DIY LED Lighting, 6500K, Inexpensive and Great for Deep Tanks...

[OldFishKeeper]

I initially bought these lights for my garage but thought I would try them over my 75 gal tank. I was shocked at the result and thought I would share this with you all. Pics to follow.

These are the lights:

Amazon.com

They are 48" long and also available in two-light packages. They only consume 20w each and have a very cool running temperature.

Next, I went to Home Depot and bought a length of vinyl gutter, end caps and double sided tape. These are to build a reflector.

I also bought a programmable timer with battery backup.

Amazon.com

These are also available with three outlets for multiple lights.

The gutter material is white but can be painted any color. You could also stick reflective tape on the inside if but you really have to watch the algae growth because these lights are intensive. I run CO2 through a reactor which I installed in-tank. Now my ground cover and plants are pearling and taking off!

Here is a pick of the internal CO2 reactor I installed to give the plants a "boost"!

 

[OldFishKeeper]

I want to thank those who liked my post. I sincerely appreciate the 5 that did.

For those who reviewed it and didn't respond, I hope you try this and enjoy the same results as I.

I am disappointed that it did not induce more conversation but, maybe I have to find a more responsive forum...

 

[MaloK]

I am disappointed that it did not induce more conversation but, maybe I have to find a more responsive forum...

Don't be, many members here have lots of things to do and are not actively monitoring every replies coming in real time. Sometimes a post needs to be bumped before it catches.

I used vinyl gutters in the past too and loved the easy going and seamless finish it does.

I quickly realized that the best reflector for aquariums is white or none.
Anything mirror or silvery is an instant algae booster. loll.

 

[OldFishKeeper]

Don't be, many members here have lots of things to do and are not actively monitoring every replies coming in real time. Sometimes a post needs to be bumped before it catches.

I used vinyl gutters in the past too and loved the easy going and seamless finish it does.

I quickly realized that the best reflector for aquariums is white or none.
Anything mirror or silvery is an instant algae booster. loll.

Glad to hear you have used them in the past, as I have done. What makes this more appealing is the use of these less costly and low wattage LED's. The lights I used in the past were high wattage and heat generating which distorted the plastic on the gutters.

Maybe there aren't too many people with 48" long, deep tanks? Maybe those that do have to actually try these before commenting? Maybe the post wasn't "bumped enough"? Who knows, but I thank you for commenting...

 

[Marc Pozz]

I think I’ll go for a Fluval 3 Bluetooth for my next upgrade. I’d like to able to tune a mello night vibe into turn off. Get some nice natural thing going

 

[MaloK]

Glad to hear you have used them in the past,

I used gutters with T5 tubes and they didn't suffer from heat. But today my tanks are a lot smaller and I bought High-end WRGB LED for all of them. I really like the controls they have.

And even with them, silver reflector is a no no no...

 

[OldFishKeeper]

I think I’ll go for a Fluval 3 Bluetooth for my next upgrade. I’d like to able to tune a mello night vibe into turn off. Get some nice natural thing going

I have a few, inexpensive, 48" programmable LED strips to behind the DIY if I want to get creative

 

[Back in the fold]

I like that . Specialty aquarium lighting is getting way too expensive . I have only one aquarium with lighting at all . My killifish don’t like bright lights .

 

[OldFishKeeper]

I like that . Specialty aquarium lighting is getting way too expensive . I have only one aquarium with lighting at all . My killifish don’t like bright lights .

I don't like bright ones as well but, after my cataract surgery, I can deal with them...I can see clearly now, as the saying goes ...

 

[Back in the fold]

I don't like bright ones as well but, after my cataract surgery, I can deal with them...I can see clearly now, as the saying goes ...

Can you drive at night ? I can’t .

 

[OldFishKeeper]

Can you drive at night ? I can’t .

Yes, now I can drive at night! Before surgery, I couldn't read street signs during the day and at night, any bright lights totally blurred my vision. I was constantly looking through a haze.

I was given the surgery option of better distance or better close up vision. I chose close up because most of my time was spent in my office. I elected glasses for distance. Now that I have experience with new vision, I actually enjoy driving. I should have gone for distance and readers for close up.

I started wearing glasses when I was in first grade. After surgery, I can't remember when I had any better vision. But, as usual, YMMV...!

 

[GaryE]

There are no dumb questions, or so they say. So here I go.

I don't have deep tanks, and grow a lot of emergent plants and house plants in and around my tanks. Every dark winter, those plants take a hit with the reduced photoperiod, so I have been looking at the same company's plant lights. How disastrous do you think they might be a foot to 18 inches above tanks?

 

[OldFishKeeper]

There are no dumb questions, or so they say. So here I go.

I don't have deep tanks, and grow a lot of emergent plants and house plants in and around my tanks. Every dark winter, those plants take a hit with the reduced photoperiod, so I have been looking at the same company's plant lights. How disastrous do you think they might be a foot to 18 inches above tanks?

Sorry for the late response but I do believe they are worth a shot...they would also be great for general room or garage lighting if they don't work out .