DIY LEDs...sorta. lol

[fretfreak13]

I was wondeirng if anyone thought it would be a terrible idea to use christmas lights as reef LED lights? I'm not planning on keeping like SPS or anything, but what about two strips, one white and one blue, of those over a 30 gallon long? Could I keep any coral at all, like softies and LPS?
Here was the plan though. Build a small canopy and get a thin piece of wood to put in the canopy to serve as the light holder. There would be evenly spaced holes drilled through the wood to poke the lights through, alternating colors. I don't want to really go online and purchase a LED kit, what's the difference? I know nothing about wireing and I'd probably just burn my house down. Plus, this is cheaper. lol

 

[chrisnif]

It might work honestly if you get the real LED xmas lights. One thing I'm planning for my new tank is a small string of red rope lights to put in the canopy. I know most people want blue "moon lighting" but fish cant see red, so they'll continue doing whatever it is they do in the dark and I can see them, nice when you work midnight shift

 

[fretfreak13]

lol yeah no kidding. I'm looking everywhere to find blue LEDs. I already have a string of white ones that are outside on the house right now. When the holidays are over, those are soo mine. I'm looking on like the wallmart and target websites to no avail. =(
I was looking at someone elses LED build on another forum and he got a kit from someone online. He had to do all the wireing, and he ended up doing it wrong, and it just seems like a big PITA. Christmas lights would be great, I mean they're waterproof, and have two chords so I can unplug the white ones just to have the moonlight effect. It'd be awesome!

 

[chrisnif]

Probably best to find a specialty seasonal store. I dont know if you have them by you, but there is a store here called "garden ridge" and they have about 50 different kinds of LED lights, and the cool thing it goes 75% off on 12/26
Here is a link,I dont think its a competitor so here's the link, if it is mods I apologize.
http://www.environmentallights.com/c...cal-wide-angle
Of course the price is high here, but they have the ICE white ones that to the eye look like 10K

 

[reefraff]

CHeap LED lights don't even come close to having the kind of power needed to keep corals but for moon lights they are fine.

 

[spanko]

Originally Posted by Fretfreak13
http:///forum/post/3191663
I was wondeirng if anyone thought it would be a terrible idea to use christmas lights as reef LED lights? I'm not planning on keeping like SPS or anything, but what about two strips, one white and one blue, of those over a 30 gallon long? Could I keep any coral at all, like softies and LPS?
In a word, No. These will not have any appreciable PAR to sustain even the least light demanding of coral. You will get virtually no penetration through the water column.

 

[fretfreak13]

That's dissapointing. =( I was planning on moving my PC lights over to that tank, but they're too short to light the whole tank. When I got this idea I was hoping to set up a little ten gallon with the PCs, but oh well. Perhaps I'll just move them over, and then light the rest of the tank with the LEDs. Thanks guys.

 

[jstdv8]

fret did you ever get the christmas tree lights going?
I saw a place online with 50 blue bulbs for 20 bucks. was thinking this might be perfect for moonlights. I have a 24 light strip now, if i could double that i'd be sitting pretty.