How Many LEDS

[Sylvain-25]

What do you guys think of this setup ?


  http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_moonlight.php

[blizzack1]

What do you guys think of this setup ?


  http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_moonlight.php

Looks great, and fairly simple if you know what you're doing.

I don't, so I had someone that knew how to go the LED route do it for me... the method you're looking at would definetly distribute the light more evenly and avoid the spotlight effect and guess work aroudn how many LEDs to use.  

Not sure how they two compare in price, but at Princess Auto I saw some cathode rays, I think about one or two feet long for around 25$... don't quote me on that though.

[Sylvain-25]

As per the link below ,

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_moonlight.php

  I know a supplier in Downtown Ottawa that sell 2  12"Inches long Blue Cold Cathode for 14 $

+ You need a AC-DC adapter around 10 $


And your done !!

[BigDaddy]

You can get cold cathodes from most of the more popular computer shops downtown like oemexpress, pccyber, etc.....

[darkdep]

That's pretty much exactly what I have on my 90.

[blizzack1]

OK, well, if anyone is still reading the thread here is an update.

I went with 9 LEDs for my 40" tank as mentioend, and they were staggered in the middle of the tank.

The result is certainly cool and enjoyable, but it is extremely spotlighty - almost too bright in some spots.

So, if you're looking for a nice, diffused setup, I'd recommend using a lot of LEDS but at lower power levels - I don't know if thise can be accomplished by a different power supply or using less bright LEDs.  I think the Cathode Ray may be the best bet in future.

In any case, its stil very enjoyable to watch - but the fish seem to fight more at night!