Cheap LED's

[SHARK13]

Looking for some ideas on cheap LED's to light a pond. What is everyone using?

 

[ikevi]

How bright? And it is going to be protected, or do you need an element proof setup?

 

[SHARK13]

Bright enough to decently light up a 5x5 area. I'm planning on hanging it above, it will have a lid, so the light will be protected. If it were bright enough to grow aqautic plants that would be ideal.

 

[pharmaecopia]

I'd look into par 30 or par 38 lights.

 

[SHARK13]

I'd look into par 30 or par 38 lights.

That's what I was thinking about doing... Make my own figure and wire it up on a timer and switch. Wasn't sure if other people had found cheap hanging pendants with decent output that work well.
Have you used those lights before? What's the spread like? How close to the water do they need to be, to be effective for plant growth?

 

[pharmaecopia]

That's what I was thinking about doing... Make my own figure and wire it up on a timer and switch. Wasn't sure if other people had found cheap hanging pendants with decent output that work well.
Have you used those lights before? What's the spread like? How close to the water do they need to be, to be effective for plant growth?

I've used them before at work to light up a laguna vat. Single light was enough for displaying koi mounted roughly 24" above the water level. For spread it will depend on what sort of lense it has. Some have a wider spread than others. I don't have experience with freshwater plants with these myself though I have a couple buddies that have used these with terrestrial plants. One managed to give his nepenthes a sunburn with the lights mounted roughly 14" above the tank. I've also seen a lot of guys use these for reef tanks.

Last I checked there were lots of options on ebay, just have to watch and make sure it's an appropriate spectrum.

 

[SHARK13]

I've used them before at work to light up a laguna vat. Single light was enough for displaying koi mounted roughly 24" above the water level. For spread it will depend on what sort of lense it has. Some have a wider spread than others. I don't have experience with freshwater plants with these myself though I have a couple buddies that have used these with terrestrial plants. One managed to give his nepenthes a sunburn with the lights mounted roughly 14" above the tank. I've also seen a lot of guys use these for reef tanks.

Last I checked there were lots of options on ebay, just have to watch and make sure it's an appropriate spectrum.

I have heard of people using them for reefs a few years back. I will probably only try some surface plants like hyacinths. If they don't grow or thrive, no biggie.

 

[SHARK13]

Just saw this build... This is the route I'll be going. I'll just tweak the design a bit to fit in my application. Another great idea from Joey.