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Hey everybody!
I haven't been on the site in a while. I've taken the plunge, after 20+ years, back into college full-time.

Anywho, my light on the 40 gal tall is going bad. I have to play with the button to keep the light lit. It's all ways acted up but it's getting worst. I just don't have the time to fiddle with every morning. I took a quick look on ebay and found LED light strips that they say are water/weather proof. BUT it has to be modified, since it comes with just loose wiring. I'm guessing the original intent for these strips was for light effects on cars. Here is the link to a few:
http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUARIUM-2-White-Flexible-Grill-48-LED-Bulb-Strip-Light-/150542811319?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230d0d00b7
http://cgi.ebay.com/20-LED-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Bar-White-Light-Lighting-Lamp-/170578321652?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b742a0f4
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-2pcs-Waterproof-Car-Aquarium-White-30-Led-Light-/380307268187?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item588c14625b
I only have low light plants in my tank, so I'm not worried about penetrating light to the bottom. Also some of the lights claim to be extremely bright. How useful will the LED light be to the plants vs. a traditional hood lamp with a natural light bulb in it?
P.S. I'm only interested in WHITE light, (the other colors would probably freak me and the fish out.)

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}

LEDS are about the worst bang for the buck in tank lighting you can get. A few more lumens per watt than a good fluoro in exchange for like 10 times the price per watt.


If you want cheap and easy lighting I usually suggest going to the hardware store, buying some wire, a plug, a few energy saver bulbs and a couple light sockets.

For $100-200 you get a t5 setup that will blow away and of those LEDs and still cost less, or a metal halide that produces even more for just a bit more.

Now I'm confused. I thought LED lights used less energy than the traditional fluorescent bulb?

Also the hood light that I have works. I just have to fiddle with the button to keep it lit. Can I just fix the button? (Without causing a fire hazard or electrocuting my self.)

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}

Hi,
Right now, the LED technology is, relatively speaking,
somewhat new, and companies are now trying to
incorporate them into our hobby.

The costs are amazingly high compared to other types
of lighting. However, the undisputed fact is that
the LEDs are more efficient, and eventually will
become one of THE best ways to light your tanks.
But right now, it seems as if the prices are in the
"idea" of when LCD TV's first came onto the market.
We have a 40 inch TV that we paid $3000 for when
they first came out, and now you can buy them for
$300-$400! (Should'a waited)

Kelly, your problem with the switch is a common problem
and the most easily fixed problem one can have, next to
replacing a bulb. You can pick up a replacement switch
at darned near any hardware store and it won't take more
than 15 -20 minutes to replace it. If you have a pet shop,
kind of a "Mom & Pop" style nearby, I suspect you could
ask the owner to replace the switch. Or, if you have a
friend who knows anything about electricity and wiring,
I'm sure they'd do it for nothing. If you want, I can give
you instructions... so that you or your husband can do it
yourselves.

I was not thrilled, at all, with the options you showed in
your first post.

The thing I gathered from your two posts, and from personal
experiance in your circumstances, is that you simply don't
have the time with the demands of school, family, etc., to
do more than buy the light, set it on the tank, and keep
on trucking. (How's that for a run on sentence?)

I went into the Navy in '65 with a two year education in
Electrical Engineering Technology. 20 years later, with a
family of five, a dog kennel with 2 adults and 7 puppies,
a full time job, I went back to school, full time, year
around. Right around 3 years later, I was done.
Been there, done that. It takes grit, and help
from the family, to be successful.

I'd expect that your current lighting system is just fine
and that replacing the switch would would be far, far, less
expensive. Maybe 2-3$ max.

Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Thank you both for your input! I will be running up to the local HD and get a replacement switch tomorrow. I can ask the associate, I know him, how to do the replacement. But Frank I would welcome your instruction as well. I've learned "there is more than one way to skin a cat", so to speak, when it comes to any project. Your way may be easier or cheaper then what is suggested at the store.

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}

Some good points raised here but I've always been a fan of LED lights, I think they'll look really nice.

http://www.ecoledlight.co.uk/decoled-led-strip-lights.asp