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DIY planted aquarium lights

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22K views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  duckfish  
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#1 ·
During lockdown I had to tear down all my aquariums in order to pay for the bills after I lost my job. I live in Australia and now have the time and money to get back into the hobby. I'm going to set up a 75g planted aquarium. As of now I have everything other than lights, fish, and plants ready for the set up. Aquarium lights for planted aquariums are expensive and are way over my budget. So, I intend to make a diy aquarium light using led strips that my local aquarium sells. They sell red, green, and blue led strips for $11 per foot. I intend to do 50% red, 35% green, and 15% blue. My only question is, is any led strip okay for a planted aquarium? I'm pretty sure that its okay but this aquarium mostly sell saltwater equipment and fish.

Anyway, any answers to my question or any further advice on lighting would be highly appreciated.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Thanks Botta. I checked my local fish shop and the strips they were selling were 5730 leds and 3528 led strips. I think I'll get the 5730 strips. Thanks a lot man. I think I would get some blue, red, and green leds. Is it true that if you mix these colours the light will be white? Because if so, I won't be getting any of the white lights they sell there. my last question is, since the led strips are not water proof or condensation proof, how should I protect it? @BOTIA how did you make ur cover for ur light?
 
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