Has anyone got creative DIY LED light systems?

I've been thinking, would it be possible to use my cheap, incandescent 10 gal aquarium hood and convert it to LED? I would use screw-in indoor LED lights. . It's possible to get bulbs like this in "cool white 6500k." One problem, these lights would not shine down on the aquarium, but instead shine out. Would there be any way to make the sockets face downward, thus making the lights shine down into the aquarium?

Has anyone made any nice DIY LED light systems? I'd like to try LED in my one ten gallon aquarium (with low-light plants), but I don't feel like paying $100.

Thanks!

 

Hi, check out build my LED

They have lots of good stuff for custom LED

 

I am going to build my LED setup for my 20g, using solderless LEDs from rapidled, that seems the simplest choice.

For a 10 gallon the price should come close too 100$. 30$ dimmable driver, 10-20$ heatsink, about 8 LEDs + optics at average 5$ each, + thermal glue or grease . You may need a hanging kit and splash guard depending on your setup.

I think it is totally worth it.

 

If you go with the ones you linked-
You may have to raise them pretty high over the tank to get good coverage
You would need to heavily modify your current light fixture or make one
for 20 bucks for 2, it almost seams worth it (they can always be used somewhere else

Event build my LED is starting at 119+ship for the small ones. I'm not saying they aren't worth it as I haven't used them. Just something to consider.

DIY with crees on Rapid LED is about 110+ship for everything I would use on a 10.
6x10 drilled/tapped heatsink with hanging kit
6x10 splash guard
6 Cool White (blue spectrum/daylight)
2 Warm White (red spectrum)
Dimmable driver with pot (up to 10 leds)
Total- 108+thermal PASTE+ship+time to build

You could also go crazy with the build and add moon leds or change the colors of the leds to get a custom color you like (you may need separate drivers) or spectrum for specific plants... etc. Similar to buildmyled but you are building it. lol

I have a fixture over my 20 gallon cube using the leds from rapid. I can't complain as it works as I built it but it is a lot of trial and error with getting the right light settings. If you click my blog, it will show you the build (I haven't updated recently though).

I wouldn't get optics unless you plan on hanging the lights a good several inches or more from the water. I have mine in the OE fixture with the tank and it sits right over the water with no optics.

Personally, I would never use thermal adhesive/glue. If you ever need to remove one of them.. good luck. I prefer a drilled/tapped heatsink that I can screw the leds into with some thermal paste. Easily removable and easy to change spectrum if needed.

Outlaw


Couple pics from blog

Testing build


Front tank shot (most recent but still about a month old)

 

Thanks everyone for the information and the links! You have been very helpful!

 

I wouldn't get optics unless you plan on hanging the lights a good several inches or more from the water. I have mine in the OE fixture with the tank and it sits right over the water with no optics.

I thought the optics were necessary?
For my 20 gallon long, the lights will be very close to the water. I plan on using 2x 24" heatsinks with 10 LEDs on each, and 80 degree optics, I figure this should give good enough coverage. I guess I could try without the optics first...

My setup would be :

== Group 1 ==
8x Cool White

== Group 2 ==
5x Warm White
3x cyan

== Group 3 ==
4x Deep Red

 

I thought the optics were necessary?
For my 20 gallon long, the lights will be very close to the water. I plan on using 2x 24" heatsinks with 10 LEDs on each, and 80 degree optics, I figure this should give good enough coverage. I guess I could try without the optics first...

My setup would be :

== Group 1 ==
8x Cool White

== Group 2 ==
5x Warm White
3x cyan

== Group 3 ==
4x Deep Red

Optics may be necessary in certain setups or with certain LEDs. If your using the CREEs, I do not think you would need them. If your tank dimensions are this- 12-1/2"L x 30-1/4"W x 13"H, I wouldn't use optics.

I have a 20 gallon cube which is about 17"H and do not need them. IF you are going for a specific look or trying to focus a higher intensity to a more localized region, you would want to use them.

If the optics are removable, I would definitely try with and without to see if you get the desired coverage and outcome.

Are you doing 2 rows? If so, you may get some spot light effect. I'm not 100% sure though but your tank foot print isn't very big and you aren't raising the fixture off the tank.

Just my opinion, hope it helps and good luck with the build,
Outlaw