RexBrown

LED LIGHTING

My buddy who works for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as an electrical engineer and I are going design LED lighting for our aquariums. I'm an illustrator and designer, so we're going to combine efforts on this project.

We found the LED's we're going to purchase We should be able to provide the necessary light intensity and spectrum our reef tanks require with lower energy consumption and heat output than the metal halides. Plus negating the need for an energy consuming chiller.

We've yet to order the diodes, but I will add more information to this thread as the project continues.

I'm throwing this up now because I am wondering if any of you have undertaken this project? Any experience tips, or two cents from anyone is welcome.

Lifesabeach

Welcome to FL! Looking forward to your project! If it wasn't for the cost, I would have jumped at the chance to have LED. I'm waiting for the improvements and cost efficiencies, but there doesn't appear to be much happening on the aquarium scene as far as serious lighting for plant growth.

mha09

Hello, Very much looking forward to hearing about the progress of your project. I am very new to aquariums, but have been researching these past 2weeks about them and naturally the lighting portion is one of the most frustrating due to the cost especially for the best, LED. I've been contemplating what it would take to do the same that you mention above. It seems the subject of a DIY for this is still rather new so I can't wait to hear about how the project is going for you. Good luck and thanks for posting this!