DIY Moonlights

[NWA-Planted]

Just found a nifty little light up on some moonlight LED setup. I seem to read everywhere that on a light of light fixtures the moonlights burn out rather quickly.

http://www.kaotica.com/frag/diy/moonlight/

also here is a good link for more LED's and they have a very large supply of transformers to take 120/220 and convert it to DC.

www.superbrightleds.com

[somewhatshocked]

I bought a bunch of cheap solar pathway/walkway garden lights on Amazon and ripped them apart. So cheap, in fact, that I could have purchased two more packages of eight for cheaper than a single moonlight kit elsewhere.

Placed the solar cell beneath my lighting (actually atop the HOB filter in my small 2.5gal tanks) and attached the LED at the top or the back of the tank.

When the lights go out, the moon light kicks on and stays on for a few hours/til the battery runs outta juice.

[NWA-Planted]

Originally Posted by somewhatshocked

I bought a bunch of cheap solar pathway/walkway garden lights on Amazon and ripped them apart. So cheap, in fact, that I could have purchased two more packages of eight for cheaper than a single moonlight kit elsewhere.

Placed the solar cell beneath my lighting (actually atop the HOB filter in my small 2.5gal tanks) and attached the LED at the top or the back of the tank.

When the lights go out, the moon light kicks on and stays on for a few hours/til the battery runs outta juice.

now thats thinking green!

[somewhatshocked]

Not so sure it's "green"... since I cut them up and tossed away all kinds of cheap Chinese plastic. But it's certainly convenient!

No timers necessary, no additional electricity required. Just a battery replacement every year or so.

[NWA-Planted]

technacalities lol still a pretty neat idea

[somewhatshocked]

I'll try to take photos of the entire process when I rip the next one apart.

I highly recommend it if you've got small tanks and can find these lights for a buck or two.

[Dragonfish]

Cheap and easy: search ebay for LED strip. You want the ones that look like actual LEDs encased in rubber, not the semi-led strips. Should cost around $1 shipped for a 12" strip. It comes with two bare wires sticking out of one end. Find an old 12v cell charger of 1 amp or less and wire it up. I don't think it matters which wire goes where. Plug it in. I did that on my reef tank and it lit the tank very nicely for several years and it was even exposed to salt water splashes. I just left it on all the time so no need for a timer either.

[Dragonfish]

[Ebay Item number 370518544621]

[somewhatshocked]

NWA: What'd you end up with?

[h2oaggie]

Dragonfish, do you mind PM'ing me the eBay link that was removed?

[somewhatshocked]

Originally Posted by h2oaggie

Dragonfish, do you mind PM'ing me the eBay link that was removed?

The item number is posted above. Copy & Paste it in the search field at eBay.

[h2oaggie]

Ah perfect, didn't see that. Thanks.

[redfishsc]

You can also buy all sorts of 12v LED lights for cars that you can splice in a cheap 12v transformer and power.

A LOT of the white overhead/dome lights do a very good job of this.

If it's too bright you can also try running them on a 6v or 9v power supply. Several of the ones I have will run perfectly on a 6v supply at a nice, low light level.

[kahoproductionz]

Originally Posted by somewhatshocked

I bought a bunch of cheap solar pathway/walkway garden lights on Amazon and ripped them apart. So cheap, in fact, that I could have purchased two more packages of eight for cheaper than a single moonlight kit elsewhere.

Placed the solar cell beneath my lighting (actually atop the HOB filter in my small 2.5gal tanks) and attached the LED at the top or the back of the tank.

When the lights go out, the moon light kicks on and stays on for a few hours/til the battery runs outta juice.

I like this... might have to try it... thanks man