LED moonlight that actually LOOKS like moonlight [B]UPDATED[/B] with video

[StraightAddicted]

Very cool and somewhat easy DIY project. I would like to do this for one of my tanks and see how it comes out. Thanks for nice easy to see/read pics and details.

[biogenetic40379]

Think this would work hanging from my suspended light? (light is 18" off substrate)

[plantednano]

So glad i found this thread! Have been looking for something to give me a "moonlight" effect. Kits/lights aren't doing it for me. Thought about making my own circuit but even after 2 semesters of electrical engineering class i still can't design a circuit from scratch. (hate eletrical engineering lol)

If i can find an led nighlate in a dollar store near me i have a few ideas to add to this

[jbrady33]

Updated! Video added to first post, and here:
http://youtu.be/dZICWz8f5bk

[HD Blazingwolf]

man before u took all that apart.. i could have made ur life a lot easier

sticky smd leds are a snap to work with.. i DIY my nightlight in 15 minutes..
and of course they are white

i wish i could take a decent picture of my tank with my moonlight on, but alas its a phone, and has no exposure settigns worth a flip

[sowNreap]

So would the "cool" white (blueish tint) LED be better to use than a blue one or warm white?

I'm thinking of getting some of the micro LED battery operated Christmas lights to use on my 75 gal or even the button sized LEDs.

And then I came across an RGB 40" flexible light strip on ebay (Item # 140800833119). I like that I can make it all blue or all yellow or blue/white, etc. Plus it has brightness control to dim the lights. What does anyone think of this product? I know this one is non-waterproof but I'd attach it to my light fixture which is well above the water. Would that be alright or would the moisture be too much for it?

I'm still trying to figure out the best way to go for the least amount of money & which color is best. I want mine to be a bit brighter than shown in the video so I can see my fish just a bit more.

[jbrady33]

In person it is quite a bit brighter than the video, if the room is dark i can see the whole tank. If there are any lights on in the room, it looks like the video

I would go with any white led, blue night lights look horrible

[STS_1OO]

Originally Posted by HD Blazingwolf

man before u took all that apart.. i could have made ur life a lot easier

sticky smd leds are a snap to work with.. i DIY my nightlight in 15 minutes..
and of course they are white

i wish i could take a decent picture of my tank with my moonlight on, but alas its a phone, and has no exposure settigns worth a flip

Can you be more specific and let us know where you get these sticky smd LEDS?

To the OP, brilliant idea! I too hate the "moonlight" blue lights. Make the tank less appealing to look at. I only turn them on with my normal leds for a slightly different look.

[sowNreap]

Originally Posted by jbrady33

In person it is quite a bit brighter than the video, if the room is dark i can see the whole tank. If there are any lights on in the room, it looks like the video

I would go with any white led, blue night lights look horrible

Thanks ... full moon nights don't look blue to me but everywhere I looked at moonlights that's the color they used so wondered about that.

My tank is in the same room as my computer monitor/TV so there's a bit of light that comes from that. At night I change my browser color to black to cut down on the ambient light coming from it but not every page shows up right that way. The things we do for our fish. LOL

[armenhamer]

Tank looks great I made a simular set up awhile back out of wallmart night lights. I completly disasembled them and then wired 6 together. I cut the concave bottem out of 6 soda cans, drilled out the centers and glued them to each light holder.( Like a flashlight reflecter) the effect is awesome and one great aspect is that they go on automaticly when the room gets dark Mark

[sowNreap]

Originally Posted by armenhamer

Tank looks great I made a simular set up awhile back out of wallmart night lights. I completly disasembled them and then wired 6 together. I cut the concave bottem out of 6 soda cans, drilled out the centers and glued them to each light holder.( Like a flashlight reflecter) the effect is awesome and one great aspect is that they go on automaticly when the room gets dark Mark

Another really cool idea. Thanks for the idea.