New moonlights

moto757

moto757

Member
Hey I just hooked up my moonlights it looks awesome I saw the other guys on the other post and it was nice looking so i followed his instructions and did it up but i don't have a canopy just two lids but they had holes in them so i drilled them out a little more and added the lights i will get some pics soon but they will come from a disposable digital hopefuly works well
 
enosmeanus

enosmeanus

Member
what thread are you referring to? i would like to know how to set them up as well as what to buy, what i need to do it, and where i can get a deal on the equipment.
 
moto757

moto757

Member
I got all my stuff at radio shack everything was there I am going to do some fine tunning tommarrow when I am off and get a camra and try to do the pic thing just type a search on moon lights on this board and it is in there
 
B

bluedolphi

Guest
Yes... post a link to the other post. Also list your items that you purchased.
Looking forward to the photos!
 
moto757

moto757

Member
tried some pics but cpu was acting funky with some of the stuff so had to delete going to try again on weds and thurs. i am off but here is what i bought two 3.7 volt blue leds one pack of 150 ohm resistors and a 4.5 volt power pack i ran the pos. tip to the resistors cut the 4.5 volt and hard wired and soldered everything toether very easy I haven't soldered in like 10 yrs and had holes in my lid but made them a little bigger and had mounts for like a roof that fit into them perfect "i measured" and that is about it pretty easy the length of the tank and brightness depend on how many leds plus you could use less ohm resistors if desired
 
pacopetty

pacopetty

Member
4 LEDs $3.99 ea, a pack of 5 150 ohm resistors .99 at Radio Shack
I used an old cell phone charger I had and some 24 gauge speaker wire I also had laying around the house.
So I've got $17 in mine.
I'll take a picture of them and try to post it tomorrow night.
Andy
 
B

bluedolphi

Guest
I just ordered 10 LED's, and (2) 60" square acrylic rods that are 1/2" square. I am going to drill holes into the acrylic rod the size of the LED's and push them down inside the acrylic rod. Then I can mount the clear acrylic rod up inside the hood.
I want to make a reostat of some sort to be able to adjust the output. I have a 120 gallon tank. It is a 60" long tank.
Anyone have any ideas of what to pull a reo from ( a dimmer switch or sorts)?
 
moto757

moto757

Member
that sounds exactly like what i did paco pretty easy huh in reference to the dimmer i didn't use any the resistors bring down the level a little i believe and makes it not to crazy birght i really don't think you need a dimmer
 
reefsoe

reefsoe

Member
Just get the dimmer switch at home depot... that will work.. As for the acrylic rod... Look for LED mounts - you pop those in the holes you drill and it will hold the bulb in place.
Post Pics when your done
 
pacopetty

pacopetty

Member
I agree with Motto757 on the dimmer switch, I don't think it's necessary. But if you have to have one Wal Mart, Lowes, or Home Depot.
I used two pieces of acrylic I had left over from my fuge' project to mount my moonlights. I cut them 2"x23 1/2" drilled the mounting holes, plugged the LEDs into their mounts and put'em in the predrilled holes. I put them behind the PC lights.
Wallah! Instant moonlight!
 
B

bluedolphi

Guest
Just receive my acrylic 1/2" bars. I ordered more than I need.
They sent them in 3ft lengths.
Anyway... I need now to figure out how deep to drill the holes for the LED's.
Not sure if the LEDs should protrude from the acrylic or stop just inside the surface. Anyone want to make a guess as to which way will give the best glow?
I am not going to make a sleeve in the acrylic for the LEDs I don't think. I think I will just drill the holes big enough to hold the LEDs.
Perhaps I should have used "tube" instead of "bar" so that the wiring could have been slipped inside the tube along with the LEDs?
Otherwise.... the wiring will have to run outside the bar and just be attached somewhere's.
 
moto757

moto757

Member
i would drill shallow at first and try them so you can always drill more if more effect is needed and you can try them both ways i have mine mounted just above the water line an 1/2 or so wish i could figure out how to take the flash off so i could post a pic not my camara
 
B

bluedolphi

Guest
I put together a small moonlight for one of my small tanks tonight.
The LED's seemed super bright at first, but after installing they do not penetrate really very much at all.
I used super bright LED's rated at 467nm - 470nm.
I also used the acrylic bars 1/2" square. I found that if you do not drill completely through that it greatly diffuses, ONCE the LED's are installed into the acrylic.
I went ahead a later drilled completely through the bar to get a little bit more penetration.
I have NO spot light effect at all. Just a glow throughout the tank. I thought that these would be brighter and that I would have to deal with spot light effect as these LED's are only rated at 15 degrees.
I attached the bar via super strong (a new type) of velcro.
I used 47 ohm resisters on two of the three LED's. One of the LED's I used a 100 ohm resistor just to see if I could detect the difference. You can tell the difference.
I am going to work on a strip for my 60" tank, and am going to look for a higher rated nm LED.
I feel sorry for the fish who happen to look up directly at these buggers, as when you do that they damn near blind you.
Anyway..
Here are a few photos if anyone is interested.


 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top