DIY LED light

As I started working on my new tank I searched all over for lights and had a really hard time finding anything that was the right size for a 7' tank and that was not 100's of dollars. After doing some research, I am going with led strip lights for the price and efficiency. I got three 15’ strips of 5050 LEDs, one cool white, one warm white and one blue (150+ watts total). They are all waterproof and self adhesive which I will stick to a reflector from an old florescent light fixture. I’ve ordered the lights strips and still have to power converter & dimmer. Overall, it should cost less than $75 and put out 10X the light of my other tank. I’ll post some pics as soon as I get it all in!

I interested in knowing how this turns out for you.

Very interested in your results especially with any plant growth.

Got everything ordered. will post pics when i get it all. Here is my parts list...

5m white led ($18) [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

5m warm white led($18) [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

2m blue led ($8.) [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

12V 20A power supply ($23) [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Left over reflector cover from an old florecent tube light. (free)

Total cost = $67! We will see how it will all go. I'm looking forward to see plant growth hopefully If it all works out I might be making more.

Did this work out well?

Good timing! I actually just set it up for the first time today. It looks good but i still have to make a hood for my tank to attach all the stuff to. It puts out a good amount of light but i wouldnt count on it growing plants but i'll try and see. If I were to do it again I would go a different route though that seems to be better and cheaper but since I got all the stuff i'm sticking with this. I'll post some pics but i'm in a christmas rush soon to be on vaction so not much time for stuff. I'll try and post some pics of the new tank and lights.

Hi Nobettername,

One of our GSAS members tried these LED strips over a approx 8 gallon nano tank. It sort of looked like 'moonlights' in brightness and the PAR reading was very low. OK for viewing but not really adequate for plant growth. If you are into doing DIY LED's here are some LED lamp arrays that will grow plants.
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This a great Idea.
I am actually planning on doing this a few months ago.
I too have a 7ft tank and will get a 16 ft roll of 14k cool and a roll of blue leds.
then I will have a 2 or 3 way splitter that will connect to a wireless dimmer.
1 dimmer for the 2 cool white strips (hence the splitter so that they dim together) and 1 dimmer for the blue leds.
It does come with 3M adhesive so I will purchase a small alum channel from Lowes or HD as a heatsink and since I built my hood, I will screw in the alum channel and then stick the leds onto the channel.
All in all I will spend 90 beans give or take with 14k (x2) 7-0 stunner strips with x1 blue leds with dimmers on a heatsink.
Not only is this affordable, but a big thumbs up on my electric bill.
Im running right now are x4 - 72" vhos with icecap 660 and 430 ballast.
so yeah, im cant wait to get this going.

Sorry to hijcak thread but this is a great idea and plesae post updates and pics.
I would love for info and ideas on my DIY led build.

Thanks and goodluck.

Frankie