Anyone tried these led's.

[cooper666]

Hi folks,

New guy here. Has anyone tried these led units?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-12W-2Blue-554nm-4Red-660nm-Hydroponic-Plant-Flood-LED-Grow-Lights-265V-/321349639835?pt=AU_Seed_Starting_Hydroponics&hash=item4ad1ee5e9b&_uhb=1

I know that they wont be the most efficient lights and that they are a bit blue (I would block out most of the blue) but do you think that they could be useful or a waste of time?

I'm considering using these because I want a low heat light and I don't have the technical skills to easily DIY leds. Also they suit my budget. I'm considering 4 to 6 of these for a waterfall scrubber.

Thanks.

[cooper666]

I just got notice from the seller he can do them with all red's.

[rleahaines]

I just got notice from the seller he can do them with all red's.

I use these:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10W-20W-30W-50W-Blue-554nm-Red-660nm-Hydroponic-Plant-Flood-LED-Grow-Lights/111156685140?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222003%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D20140106155344%26meid%3D6082499356760124273 %26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D20140106155344%26rk%3D3%26 rkt%3D6%26sd%3D321349639835&rt=nc&tfrom=321349639835&tpos=unknow&ttype=price&talgo=origal

the 30 Watt size.

What you are looking at probably will work. I looked at the listing and I don't understand what the wattage is. At one place it says 300W and another 12 Watt.

I think what you have there is an array of 6 LED's with a total of 12 Watts.

These units are fairly waterproof. Not totally, so don't put them underwater.

[Brent1128]

I'm pretty sure that these cant be beat http://www.expressions-ltd.com/Algae_Scrubber_LED_Light_p/led-grow-light.htm

[SantaMonica]

Welcome from Australia.

Yes those LEDs will work.

[Arno]

know some one that used them for chaeto growth it grew very wel
he is called anothony24 on the zeewaterforum.nl
it is dutch but maybe google translate kan help

[cooper666]

Thanks for your input, Ill order some soon. Got a BIG cyclone heading my way, due to hit tomorrow, so the lights will have to wait a while. Will post results one day.

[rleahaines]

[QUOTE=Brent1128;35637]I'm pretty sure that these cant be beat http://www.expressions-ltd.com/Algae_Scrubber_LED_Light_p/led-grow-light.htm[/QUOTE

I have some issues with these strips.

1. They are not waterproof or water resistant like the others we have been discussing in this thread. This means you have to place them so they shine through glass or in an area that they DON'T GET WET. . Spray will eventually short out lights unless you have them sealed or away from the spray. I learned this the hard way.

2. They are 1 Watt LED's. My experience is that 2 or 3 Watt LED's work better. The write up for this one says that the seller has had success using them for algae scrubbers.

They may work fine.


Algae Scrubbers are a fun part of reefkeeping.. You get to play with saltwater and electricity at the same time.

[cooper666]

I've just ordered 4 of these in 12w with all 660nm LED's for a double sided 20 cm x 20cm screen scrubber. I'd imagine that Ill have to position these a bit further away from the screen due to the tight packing of the LED's. How far should I space them from the screen? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[rleahaines]

position them about 3 inches away from the screen to start.

[Brent1128]

[QUOTE=Brent1128;35637]I'm pretty sure that these cant be beat http://www.expressions-ltd.com/Algae_Scrubber_LED_Light_p/led-grow-light.htm[/QUOTE

I have some issues with these strips.

1. They are not waterproof or water resistant like the others we have been discussing in this thread. This means you have to place them so they shine through glass or in an area that they DON'T GET WET. . Spray will eventually short out lights unless you have them sealed or away from the spray. I learned this the hard way.

2. They are 1 Watt LED's. My experience is that 2 or 3 Watt LED's work better. The write up for this one says that the seller has had success using them for algae scrubbers.

They may work fine.


Algae Scrubbers are a fun part of reefkeeping.. You get to play with saltwater and electricity at the same time.

How long did it take before they shorted out? Where I have them they have the slightest amount of salt creep where the wire goes in. Its barely enough to rub off so I havent been worried about it. I've had them about a month and they are still working great.

[cooper666]

I just recieved my 4 - 12w units, they look a bit cheap (they were cheap). The suppliers came good and supplied me with all red LED's and Australian plugs as requested. Im a bit baffled because the plugs are on 10cm leads, seriously what can you do with that! Anyway I'll make another trip into town and get some leads and other bits and pieces so that I can make them useful. Wheather they will grow algae or not is yet to be seen. I'll be building and installing a scrubber over the next week or two and will keep you posted. I'm going to make a 4 cube (feed) waterfall scrubber based on that nifty calculator that's floating around on this site. I'll be using 250mm storm water pvc as the main housing and the lights that I have just received. I've never used a scrubber before so I'm interested to see what it can do to limit N&P in my new 6x2x2. I think that I'll be able to get the scrubber going before the tank is stocked, so it should be interesting.