how could i do a diy led light for a pico?

[jimmie86]

i have a 2.5 gallon pico with a 10 watt screw in pc light. i have never use led before and not sure on how to build a good one and especally not for such a small tank. i just dont like the color from the pc, the colors on the corals look nothing like they did at the lfs and i have seen led in action and would like to try and build a light for my tank. thanks for any help

 

[SloppyJ]

Rapid led will sell everything you need. I'd stick with just whites and blues.

 

[jimmie86]

what all would i need and how many watt? i want enough to where i can maybe try a little sps

 

[SloppyJ]

You need a driver, heat sink, and glue. I'm no expert. I've only built actinic strips and stuff but it's easy.

 

[jimmie86]

ok, thanks

 

[EW_Fish]

Why not a par38 bulb?

 

[jimmie86]

i was just looking into these earlier, i only found all white, all blue and red, white and blue. the tri color reviews, ppl were sayin it gives off a pink look and i would like more blue to make the colors in the corals pop. do u have any suggestions or is there one with white and blue im not finding?

 

[ravi197699]

Well you have small tank which is fine and you dont have to go crazy with build, Just buy par38 E27 bulb from ebay and that will be plenty for your tank.....

 

[ravi197699]

Well you have small tank which is fine and you dont have to go crazy with build, Just buy par38 E27 bulb from ebay and that will be plenty for your tank..... Below is the link of an example

E27 54W Coral Reef Aquarium Fish Tank Aquarium Grow LED Lighting Lamp Bulb | eBay

 

[JMSKI333]

I wonder how LED tape would work over a Pico. They make a waterproof line in all sorts of colors.

 

[tyler1503]

I wonder how LED tape would work over a Pico. They make a waterproof line in all sorts of colors.

I tried the LED 5050 strip tape things before and it didn't do a lot. I found them only being good for moonlighting and accenting colour a bit to already existing lighting.
You could use them along with your PC bulb to change the colour a bit, but not on they're own.
They do make my caulestra fluoresce really well though.