High efficient LED DIY Rack lights

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
N

Nabob_Mob

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 6, 2011
8
0
0
Northern IL
As the fish room expands I needed low cost lighting preferably strong enough to maintain simple plants, This is what I've come up with, currently I am running almost 10 meters of this stuff on a 12v 500ma power converter.

I researched the LED's looking for the brightest available and came up with SMD 50/50 White, available on Ebay for automotive use to illuminate undercar, its water resistant and cuttable every three LED's

from the package

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Cut and Solder Point

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Power Supply

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in this picture I had just snaked the LED without cutting to see how it looked

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Tank View

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So far it is sustaining Anubias, Aponogetons, Najas and Hornwart, what more can a guy ask for? another plus is it takes up little head space allowing for tighter rack configurations.
 
Wow, Looks like a great find, I'll have to keep this in mind when I finally get approval from the Ball n' Chain to set up a fish room with a rack or 2.
 
Pretty cool, I think I'm going to order one of these to tryout myself. Have you done any cutting and soldering yet?
 
Follow up question, maybe somebody knows. If you cut and solder at one of those gold points (using a waterproof led strip), do you have to do anything special to that connection point to make it waterproof? Like silicone and cover up the solder point, silicone it, etc?
 
Just ebay LED flexiable strip. You will find tons of 300 and 600 leds for 5 meters. It will also show you a link to the power supply you will need. ALso tells you the current draw.
Id like the get the 600led, but the OP needs to post more pics and info before I jump on the possible fail bandwagon.
 
Yah, I found the right power adapter and strips, but what I don't feel comfortable with is the cutting and soldering. It seems they are a-ok if you don't cut the waterproof strips, but if you cut, you have to solder a new exposed wire to the led strip - exposing electrical current. I found another site that creates a nifty housing w/ plastic cover to protect them, but that is a more expensive option.
 
What are you not sure of, the cutting, soldering or the waterproof?

In all reality unless you submerge the strip, the soldered joint really isnt going to have a problem. If you want to be at ease, go buy some "liquid electrical tape" at home depot. I have some in the garage, yes its electrical tape... but a liquid!
 
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