Light modification help

[Johnboyminster]

Hi all

My lights are on timers and when they turn off at night the blue LED's turn off too, I'd like the blue LEDs to stay on at night. I have a nano type tank - I would like the LEDs to be off when the main lights are on and on when the main lights are off - can anyone help me work out the wiring to do this?

I'm not sure how to go about it as I'm guessing the timer cuts all power to the tank hood?

:s

[reefergeek]

You will need to take the lid apart and provide a separate feed to the transformer that supplies the leds however the psu will also run the fans to cool the white tubes down so have to be on at the same time as well

[Marine Life Uk]

The other thing you could do is add a blue strip to the existing, I don't know you tank but may be easier then re-wiring the whole thing and can be bought on eBay relativly cheaply

[Johnboyminster]

Hmm i think this would be a better option than modifying the lid. May go down this route then..

[Marine Life Uk]

you may still have to mod lid but not electrics

[reefergeek]

This might help, found it under google

the 24 led moonlight strip arrived and was duly fitted into the lid,removed the screws and used clear silicon to attach it to the reflector
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2010Q3/led%20light%20mod%20finished.JPG

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2010Q3/led%20lights%20on%20lid%20shot.JPG


led fitted and switched on-bit bright

[grumpy_banghai]

Where's the best place to buy the main bulbs from?

[reefergeek]

You mean the blue leds or the t5 compacts ?

[Johnboyminster]

Thanks reefer thats really helpfull, i'll keep an eye out for for a small blue strip!

[reefergeek]

As i think it says above you can always shove the led stip on a variable psu like the cheap ones from argos, maplin or ebay to give you the look you want

[Marine Life Uk]

maybe something like this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AQUARIUM-12V-LED-MOONLIGHT-BLUE-STRIP-LIGHT-30cm-/190519371998?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item2c5bd6e8de found on ebay not the brightest tbh but if its just for moonlight then it fits the ticket

[DrFunkee]

When I was looking into doing the same sort of thing, these ones with PSU had got the thumbs up on other forums,.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRIGHT-AQUARIUM-W-PROOF-LED-STRIP-LIGHTING-40cm-/170621500961?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item27b9d57e21

Not gone that route myself yet so can`t comment how good they are personally.

[grumpy_banghai]

You mean the blue leds or the t5 compacts ?


I mean the originals I have an old blue & white & thinking of getting 2 whites.

[reefergeek]

I would use the whites and the leds for the blues will make the tank brighter

[Johnboyminster]

I have one white/blue and one white T5, is there any actual need for the blue strip?? I want to up the brightness and guess two white T5's would do better?

I don't think i'll mod the hood, just buy a strip and put it on a timer..