Light help-Has anyone used these LED's?

[PeterFranc]

Hey everyone,

Has anyone used these LED's?
http://www.expressions-ltd.com/Algae_Scrubber_LED_Light_p/led-grow-light.htm

He has some really good youtube videos showing the progress of his growth using them. Just curious if the LED route would be a good option.

I currently have two fluorescent strip lights on my scrubber (19 watts each). From researching these forums the wattage seems to be too low for optimal growth.

I've attached a picture of my screens after 10 days of growth - Also worth noting, the screens are very roughed up (spent about 30-45 minutes on them). Difficult to tell from the pictures.

Below is also a link to my current scrubber build. I've removed the egg crate so the screen is fully submerged.

http://youtu.be/nsvxd2fn4GA

[SantaMonica]

Your screen definitely looks like lack of light. Those LED strips looking good; probably 2 on each side of your screen, unless they are from the Aquaricare, in which you'd probably want to re-do the interior of the box so the screen in not lifted up, and, then put about 6 of those LED strips on.

[PeterFranc]

Your screen definitely looks like lack of light. Those LED strips looking good; probably 2 on each side of your screen, unless they are from the Aquaricare, in which you'd probably want to re-do the interior of the box so the screen in not lifted up, and, then put about 6 of those LED strips on.

Thank you for the quick reply, SantaMonica.

Could you please clarify about the screen not being lifted up?

I was planning on setting the led's on top of the horizontal aquaricare scrubber. They would be about 3" above the screen. The screen is sitting on one layer of egg crate. I removed the second egg crate layer to allow the screen to be completely submerged. You actually recommended a while back removing all internals to avoid waste and food becoming trapped. I'm debating removing the other layer of egg crate. My only concern is if the screen is too far under the surface of the water? By doing this the screen will likely be around 1/2" to 1" under water. If you have any experience with how far the light can penetrate could you please let me know?

Again, I appreciate your feedback. I've been fascinated by scrubbers and am determined to get one to be a success.

[SantaMonica]

Well if there is not a way to lower the water level, then you'll need to leave the eggcrate. But you want the turbulent air/water interface on the screen. That will grow the most. You want a thin high-flowing layer of water on the surface of the screen.

[PeterFranc]

Well if there is not a way to lower the water level, then you'll need to leave the eggcrate. But you want the turbulent air/water interface on the screen. That will grow the most. You want a thin high-flowing layer of water on the surface of the screen.

Thanks for clarifying for me. I ordered two to get started. I'm going to see what growth I get and then determine if I should order more. I'm excited to test them out.

I'm going to make a video showing my results after the first few weeks, etc.

[Crusinjimbo]

I have also ordered two to convert from CFLs. I also have some spare 6w stunner strips, 445 (2 each), 453 and a 403 UV. Would adding any of these be of any benefit to growth or would they be of no value or counter productive? Thanks for any help.

[SantaMonica]

UV no.

Blue will not help a whole lot, and will probably create a hole.

[PeterFranc]

I have also ordered two to convert from CFLs. I also have some spare 6w stunner strips, 445 (2 each), 453 and a 403 UV. Would adding any of these be of any benefit to growth or would they be of no value or counter productive? Thanks for any help.

Nice, Crusinjimbo. I'll be sure to keep in touch with you to see what results you get with yours. I'm starting with two and building from there. The videos on them were really helpful in my decision to give them a go.

[Crusinjimbo]

What's weird is that my order shipped a day or so ago and today the site evaporated. Gone. Nowhere to be found. Oh noooooo!

[PeterFranc]

What's weird is that my order shipped a day or so ago and today the site evaporated. Gone. Nowhere to be found. Oh noooooo!

Hmm.. Site is working just fine for me. They also have a youtube channel. It's a legit company. You will get them, don't worry.

[Mytinysea]

How are these lights working out guys?

[Crusinjimbo]

I had two and added one more on a 11 x 7 upflow screen and I am vert pleased with their performance. I harvest 100-120 grams of wet (squeezed) green algae every 8 days. They are a bit long at 12" so you need a long screen to utilize their light pattern efficiently. I am pleased with the selection.

[Niles]

I am new to algae scrubbers so I bought one of these to try on my 100 gallon goldfish tank with nitrates around 100-120 ppm. My original idea was a 3"x12" algae turf scrubber but that was difficult to get going. It turns out that this light can be modified into a rectangular array since their design is segmented into 3 independent controller boards with 3 x 1W LED on each. I used a hacksaw to chop it into three pieces and then soldered wires to join the positive and negative rails. Don't do this unless you know what you are doing - it makes a mess of aluminum filings, silicone, etc. Also, the hacksaw shorted out the boards by smearing a thin layer of aluminum on the sides of the circuit board which resulted in the ground plane and +12V traces connected. I had to clean it off with a file until the continuity tester didn't show a short circuit.

Now I use it on an upflow scrubber and after 20 days it is showing some growth.55045505

[SantaMonica]

Welcome.

Looks like it will fill in nicely.