LED's on an open-top.

I will have 3 LED pendents above my 29g tank. I also want some supplemental lighting at night. But the tank will be an open-top so here's kind of what I will do. This first picture is from another member's tank(thanks YellowBelly), but shows an example of what I want.



This is what my tank will look like(below)when finished(but with 3 pendents instead of 2)


Like the reef tank above, I want to supplement my tank with strips. What kind of LEDs would work well in this situation & still be affordable? Are there any that will dim? I was looking into ReefBrites, but they are rather expensive & do not dim.

Looking for something 24"-30", preferably longer.

Thanks in advance.

 

You could go the DIY route(led supplement).place them on a nice alum bar add a dim ballast and there u go..should run u 50-100 bucks...cost me around 100 for 12 leds with no dim ballest..

 

How long was your total strip? How far apart were the diodes?

 

What was the name of the main company that sells CREE LEDs?

 

I did a 48" bar(actually it was an alum ruler),cause my tank is 48 across.you may need less...im not sure of the exact distance apart as I eye balled it when putting it together..but prob 2 ish inches apart..

I got mine from our sponsor rapid led..as did night rida.I would ask them(rapid led) what they recommend for your tank...

 

Ice cap makes a few t5 tube style LED moonlights and so does Finnex. Check em out and see if your interested. Neither are dimmable. If that's the route you wish to take then DIY will be best and it should't be too costly with the size of your tank.

 

Thank yo for your responses. I'll check out Rapid led.

 

I think I'll go with this kit. http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-35/12-Premium-LED-Do-dsh-It-dsh-Yourself/Detail

I'll use half the leds on each side(front & back), 6 LEDs on each. So I will need 2 heat-sinks, 2 drivers & 2 dimmers.

Which driver will I need? It's one of the bottom two...

Results for Drivers

 

For a little less money and work, you could look at these
LED Lighting Strips with Transformer, Hamilton Technology Corp. - SalesAquarium supplies&Aquarium lighting by Hamilton Technology They are moisture proof with an adhesive backing. I bought a piece of 1/2" aluminum channel and stuck it inside. More than bright enough to see the whole tank at night.

 

If you're after dimmable, you'll want the dimmable kit: 12 Premium LED DIY Kit with Dimmable Drivers

Use the ELN-60-48D driver: Mean Well ELN-60-48D dimmable driver

FYI, these will be way too bright for moonlights.