The new Era...LED

[Nils Axelsson]

Hi,

I am restarting my aquarium and want to make something good out of it this time! 1st priority is buying/building new lighting. I want this to be done as cheap, yet good, as possible and have therefore been looking at eBay

Aquarium:
94*42*42cm
~165L
Focus on plants (and fish) from SA

There are essentially 3 different types of lighting setups I have in mind.

1. Par38:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/par20-par30...77?pt=US_Light_Bulbs&var=&hash=item19eb4f6705

This one is pretty straight forward and the lighting itself doesnt really need much work. However a hanging kit must be built.
I belive 3-4 bulbs would be needed.

The plan is something like this and just hang the bulbs from.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-04/diy/index.php

~£70

2. Floodlight:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/231287894969?_trksid=p2059216.m2763.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Not very different from the bulbs other than even easier to install. I also have a plan for a very simple fixture for these.
Here is a quick 3D model of what I was thinking of:

That would be the easiest alternative.

~£60-£70

3. DIY LED chips

Yeah, most difficult to complete, however I can get the best light if I spend money and time into it.

Any thoughts and/or suggestions? I really can't decide...

Thanks!
Nils

 

[ceg4048]

Hello,
Kindly refrain from double posting. The offending thread has been removed.

Cheers,

 

[Martin in Holland]

I think it would also depend on what kind of scape you want, but I would go for an option that gives the best light spreading over the whole tank, that way all plants will get the most out of your lighting.....that would mean option nr 1 or 3

 

[James D]

Is that 3D model going to be a hood for your tank? If so I'd suggest ensuring you've got some method of dimming whatever lights you end up with.

 

[Martin in Holland]

Is that 3D model going to be a hood for your tank? If so I'd suggest ensuring you've got some method of dimming whatever lights you end up with.

Sounds like a solid idea. LED are easy to give you algae, light is often to bright.

 

[Nils Axelsson]

Thanks for the response.

I think it would also depend on what kind of scape you want, but I would go for an option that gives the best light spreading over the whole tank, that way all plants will get the most out of your lighting.....that would mean option nr 1 or 3

I will have plants, thats all I know I do think the floodlights give pretty good light spreading, altough the other alternatives may be the best...

Is that 3D model going to be a hood for your tank? If so I'd suggest ensuring you've got some method of dimming whatever lights you end up with.

Dimming, that is a very good point! That kind of eliminates the floodlights.
And I don't think I would be able to build a good-looking DIY lighting with LED-chips, at least not with low budget...

If I am going for the dimmable Par38 bulbs, I can get it 3 bulbs for a total of ~£70.

Or 4 bulbs for a total of ~£85

I belive 3 bulbs will be the best!
Then I will also buy this http://www.clasohlson.com/se/Dimmer/36-2337#moreinfo for about £4 and be able to dim the light.
The wood structure in the pics is not exactly as want it, it will be a bit thinner and start behind the tank. The cost of the wood, screws and so on will be <£5.

What do you think about that idea?

 

[Martin in Holland]

3 bulbs look good to me. Let us know how they work out for you.