LED lights

[nudibranch]

I'm trying to find a way to put a moon light on a nano reef (approx 3/4g). Am I looking for the mcd intensiy level to determine if it will be right? I found one w/ 85mcd with a 470nm average and 465nm peak. Do you think this will work? Heres the link for all the info on the LED.

 

[gregvabch]

i'd say that led would work. you can pick up a dimmer switch (potentiometer) from radio shack in case it's too bright.

 

[masterreef]

85 mcd is not very bright but you can add multiples in parallel for more light if needed. There are blue LED's available up into the 1000's of mcd per LED.

 

[robchuck]

Originally posted by MasterReef
85 mcd is not very bright but you can add multiples in parallel for more light if needed.
Agreed. The LEDs I use are almost 4,000mcd, and operate at the same wavelengths as described in your original post.
Rather than wiring several 85mcd LEDs in parallel, I would probably run one LED with at least 2,000mcd of output over a 3-4 gallon tank. Cramming any more than that over your tank will really cramp the space in your canopy.

 

[nudibranch]

Well I apppreciate your responses, but this is a 3/4g nano (75% of 1 gallon) not a 3-4g nano. That's why I wasn't looking for a large mcd rating. Do you think 85mcd would still be too bright and that I would need a dimmer switch?

 

[robchuck]

Sorry about the 3-4 gallon assumption. One 85mcd should do the job. Rather than making the system complex (unless you want to) with a potentiometer, it would be easy to dim the tank by simply raising the LED higher above the tank. A LED that puts out that small of output should diffuse quickly as it's raised higher above the tank.
What do you plan on using for daytime lighting for the tank?

 

[gregvabch]

a pot wouldn't make it "complex", it's just a dimmer switch. well, i guess if you didn't know anything about electronics and wiring then it could make it complex. obviously you do know something since you chose led's with a lower mcd rating for your 3/4g nano. i think one or two of those bulbs would be just fine for a tank that size. what are you going to use as a power supply?

 

[nudibranch]

RobChuck - Day-time lighting will initially be a 7W power compact (~6500k maybe a 7000 I dunno its kinda yellowish but not really bad). I'm "retro-fitting" a 13W 50/50 PC on it though (taking apart light replaceing ballast etc..). I could do a 10K 9W but I'd have to buy a new socket for it anyway AND it wouldn't fit in the light as well as the 13W will the way I saw someone retrofit it. I'd REALLY like to get 2X7W and have one be actinic and get the complete lighting effect, but they don't make them that I've seen and I think 2X9W would be too much.
gregvabch - I only know as much about LEDs as I've read in this forum and others. I still consider myself EXTREMELY novice, but I'll never learn if I don't play/practice. I caught on about the mcd rating cuz everyone was talking about them and that site made it point blank that it was intensity. I've been a fish hobbyist for 15yrs now don't ask me how I overlooked this. I'm hopping to use a ~3V power supply (from a computer store??? it will plug into the wall wont it?) to power it. Something lower than a 3.6V so I wont need a resistor and it will also diminish the max output. What do you think?

 

[gregvabch]

i used an old cell phone charger that i had lying around the house. resistors aren't a bad thing but if you wanna stay away from all the extra's the way you described should work.