How Many LEDS

[blizzack1]

Hi guys,

I'm getting some moonlights done for my tank and I have up to 15 LEDS to use.  I know nothing about how how many ( I have 15) , so I was wondering if I could get some advice.

My tank is 48 gallon

40 x 16 x 20 (fairly tall)

The LEDs are from SeanC's group order, and I've got white substrate, black background and house mbuna - if any of that matters!

Thanks in advance,

Josh

[Seanc]

I used 1 per 6", it seemes to look good, I think you could go down to 5", or 4", I thik that would be a little bright though.

[Nelson]

I have 8 in my fixture  - really gives a nice shimmering effect to the tank and also allows you to view your tank at night - but guess you already know that don't you :wink:

[blizzack1]

I used 1 per 6", it seemes to look good, I think you could go down to 5", or 4", I thik that would be a little bright though.

Interesting - is the depth of the tank a major factor?

[Seanc]

I think it would have a bit of a factor. Because the light gets wider, so it covers more, thats why you could probobly have more.

[blizzack1]

I have 8 in my fixture  - really gives a nice shimmering effect to the tank and also allows you to view your tank at night - but guess you already know that don't you :wink:

Any word on what the fish think of all of this?

[Nelson]

I have 8 in my fixture  - really gives a nice shimmering effect to the tank and also allows you to view your tank at night - but guess you already know that don't you :wink:

Any word on what the fish think of all of this?

Actually I checked and only have 6 in my fixture - the fish haven't said anything to me about the moonlights but I can't imagine they're too upset about it....it's nothing more than moon light in their natural habitat.

[darkdep]

I was talking to jgolden and he said he wishes he had put a few more in his fixture...Jeff, how far apart are your LED's again?

[jgolden]

Roughly 8" apart. I think 6" apart would be good. On a 48"X 16" hood, that should give you 15 LEDs, which will give you a uniform diffusion throughout the tank.

[darkdep]

Is a single strip the way to go, or would it be useful to double up?

[blizzack1]

I have 8 in my fixture  - really gives a nice shimmering effect to the tank and also allows you to view your tank at night - but guess you already know that don't you :wink:

Any word on what the fish think of all of this?

Actually I checked and only have 6 in my fixture - the fish haven't said anything to me about the moonlights but I can't imagine they're too upset about it....it's nothing more than moon light in their natural habitat.

I meant what did the fish have to say about being watched at night  

[blizzack1]

Roughly 8" apart. I think 6" apart would be good. On a 48"X 16" hood, that should give you 15 LEDs, which will give you a uniform diffusion throughout the tank.

I went with about 5.7 inches apart on mine - so a total of 7 on a 40" canopy.

6" apart on a 48" hood would give you 8, no?  Are you doubling them up or something?  Mine are all in a straight line in the middle of the tank...

[sarahbella]

does anyone have a pic of how this looks when its done??  
any pics of it being done??  
Do you use plain white LED's or has anyone used different colours (im interested in specifically blue if someone has pics) ??

[Seanc]

I have done blue, and I think their are other people who have don eblue too. You usualy use blue, because white whould make it like day.

[BigDaddy]

I've seen blue, red and purple setups

[jgolden]

6" apart on a 48" hood would give you 8, no?  Are you doubling them up or something?  Mine are all in a straight line in the middle of the tank...

Actually, rather than going down the center of my hood, I went on the (inside) diameter, which gave me a calculated run of ~ 128". My first set was down the center with 5. I didn't like the spotlight effect that it had; the light also didn't difuse throughout the tank. By running them on the diameter (and placing them with slightly varying angles into the tank), I was able to get a much more even, more balanced effect, with little of that "spotlight" effect. that's why I was telling darkep that I should have gone with 15 LEDs rather than 10 - I could have further eliminated the spotlighting effect...

[blizzack1]

6" apart on a 48" hood would give you 8, no?  Are you doubling them up or something?  Mine are all in a straight line in the middle of the tank...

Actually, rather than going down the center of my hood, I went on the (inside) diameter, which gave me a calculated run of ~ 128". My first set was down the center with 5. I didn't like the spotlight effect that it had; the light also didn't difuse throughout the tank. By running them on the diameter (and placing them with slightly varying angles into the tank), I was able to get a much more even, more balanced effect, with little of that "spotlight" effect. that's why I was telling darkep that I should have gone with 15 LEDs rather than 10 - I could have further eliminated the spotlighting effect...

The concept you are going for is what I was hoping to achieve - ah well, live and learn.  I'm optimistic it will still be pleasing when its complete and not too spot-lightish.

Worst case, I'll just add some more!

[az]

i put 9 in your canopy Josh, 2 more than we agreed......

if too many, u may use a black tape to cover, u can install a switch too!

[blizzack1]

i put 9 in your canopy Josh, 2 more than we agreed......

if too many, u may use a black tape to cover, u can install a switch too!

Excellent, Sir.

I look forward to picking up the final product tonight between 5 and 7 (and removing what I'd been using as a make-shift canopy to make sure the fish don't jump out of the tank!

I went to Princess Auto and the salesman expressed his embarassment in not having any 12V adapter for my requirement... I'll have to try The Source tonight.  Fingers crossed.

[az]

ah, just go to Jervais electronics on industrial, they should have plenty arnd 16-18$!