4.5 foot tank Led Lighting advice

[Stryda]

Hello all, looking into lighting for a 4.5 foot tank I have spare, currently looking at the following two options;

http://www.screwfix.com/p/led-batten-36w-3200lm-4ft/2297r

These are suitable for outdoor use so should be safe inside a tank hood.
Or

http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-gu10-led-reflector-light-bulb-5-2w-5-pack/1249p

10 or more of these (i.e. 2 packs+)

Both are daylight, not sure If i can come up with a way of keeping the gu10's cool in a hood though.

Anyone have any input/advice?

Have thought about the popular diy heatsink cree route, but just looking to see if there is any easier viable alternatives.

 

[ian_m]

Neither of these are really suitable.

Light 1 has a about 180' radiation pattern, suitable for ceiling mounting, thus over 50% of the light won't be going in the tank. It will be shining in the room (and your eyes!!!).You really need 90-120' angle so that the light is angled into the tank.

Again light 2 may not be suitable. A very narrow beam angle 36' so will be fine as a spot light but not for even fish tank illumination. Also not water proof as well as the GU10 connector not being water proof especially as you will be having 240V around. You will need to achieve some way of keeping it away from the water and moisture to be safe.

Proper aquarium lights, designed for the job are
https://www.iquaticsonline.co.uk/un...-universal-4-tube-120cm.html?___store=default

https://www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/aquarium/lighting/t5/150cm-four-tubes-black-or-silver/

 

[Daveslaney]

No experience of this myself.But COB LEDs seem to be the led of choice now.Should be quite easy to build into a hood too.

 

[Stryda]

With regards to the led batten, would the issue not be the same as fluorescent bulbs I.e. they radiate 360' around the bulb and this is the reason for reflectors? If the led batten was placed in a full hood, with a reflective interior would this remedy light loss/prevent light bleeding into the room?

 

[ian_m]

If the led batten was placed in a full hood, with a reflective interior would this remedy light loss/prevent light bleeding into the room?

Probably. But how are you going to make a decent water & moisture proof reflector that will last ? Not convinced this is a good idea.

Also not particularly bright a typical T5 HO tube is 4800lumens for that length.