DIY Lighting for Canopy

[johnson5585]

I am going to be installing some lights in the new tank I am getting. It has an enclosed canopy on it with Lunar LED lights. I was thinking of putting in LED light strips for the main lighting as well. Long light life and low energy consumption. Until I am able to find the LED light set up I want I was curious of two things. Can a shop florescent light be used or will the water evaporation cause issues with this type of light ballast opposed to a aquarium florescent set up. I have a shop light I can just bolt in for the meantime until I get the LED set up. Second has anyone used an LED set up and how do you like them in comparison to the common florescent or metal halogen light set ups?

Thanks

 

[Liam]

I am going to be installing some lights in the new tank I am getting. It has an enclosed canopy on it with Lunar LED lights. I was thinking of putting in LED light strips for the main lighting as well. Long light life and low energy consumption. Until I am able to find the LED light set up I want I was curious of two things. Can a shop florescent light be used or will the water evaporation cause issues with this type of light ballast opposed to a aquarium florescent set up. I have a shop light I can just bolt in for the meantime until I get the LED set up. Second has anyone used an LED set up and how do you like them in comparison to the common florescent or metal halogen light set ups?

Thanks

LED = cheap bulbs, long life, less power consumption = Awesomeness
also less water evaporation, because LED's don't generate too much heat.
fluorescent bulbs = cheapish bulbs, moderate life, more power consumption, but more light = LED's a superior (imo)

 

[cassharper]

also that is unsaid

LED=Retarded Expensive Setup

Shop lights are fine. If you go to home depot or lowest they actually sell most lights that can be used for aquariums in a T-8/12 form that is generally much cheaper then the LFS. Most of the evaporation on a tank with fluorescents are going to be from air current, and not heat from the light.

I have used mylar to make better reflectors in shop lights and stuck them over planted tanks.

Another option is to DIY some LED fixtures, that makes it super cheap... but the process is kind of in depth. There's a thread going on about it in the planted forum.