How about a long thin one?

[Rumpy Pumpy]

Considering building a trial long narrow UAS which could fit into (or be built into) the rear corner of a tank and illuminated from behind (like SMs HOG versions)

Thinking of having it (for my current setup) about 1.5 inches wide and 17 inches tall, giving perhaps 25 square inches of screen for maybe 1 cube (or eq') per day.

A standard airstone would sit at the bottom of the chamber providing flow (or alternatively a small pump could be plumbed into the bottom of the chamber)

The screen could either be plastic canvas or something stiffer (perhaps plastic sheet with sand melted onto it?) which could be simply inserted and removed from the top without removing the chamber itself.

Lighting would be LEDs and attached to the rear of the aquarium (boxed to eliminate light escaping)


Thoughts? Potential pitfalls? Tell me I'm a silly sod and it won't work?

[Rumpy Pumpy]

Forgot to mention, obviously the glass between the chamber and the lights would need regular cleaning which would present a problem if the chamber were to be fixed.

Thought this might be achieved with a pipe brush?

[SantaMonica]

Should work fine if you can get to the glass to scrape it, or let snails get to it.

[Rumpy Pumpy]

Cheers You don't think the placement of the LEDs might be an issue with something that narrow?

I was thinking of using 4 x 3w but perhaps 6 or 8 lower wattage ones might be better?

Or something like this?

http://www.ledlightszone.co.uk/led-tape/54-flexible-led-strips-non-waterproof-72w-30pcs.html

[SantaMonica]

Only matters how far away they are, and what degree spread they have. The stronger ones you linked to are 14w in a meter. They probably only spread an inch or so wide, so they are for 36 square inches. Almost 1/2 watt per square inch.

[Rumpy Pumpy]

Only matters how far away they are, and what degree spread they have. The stronger ones you linked to are 14w in a meter. They probably only spread an inch or so wide, so they are for 36 square inches. Almost 1/2 watt per square inch.


So it might be better then, to cut the 1m strip of leds into 3 x 33cm lengths, make the scrubber a little wider, 3 inches and arrange the strips in parallel so that the light was evenly spread.

Then the screen could be 3 x 15 inches giving an overall area of 45 square inches. That would make 0.31 watts per sq inch. Enough?

[SantaMonica]

Seems good to start. Make is so you can add more if needed.

[Rumpy Pumpy]

Good idea. Thanks.