LED Recommendations - 410-420nm supplementation
 

So...
very happy with my recently acquired RSM130.

The lighting is decent, I know with all the developments in t5 and led, power compacts don't get a lot of love in North America but they get the job done.

I am looking to add some supplemental lighting.

I want to add 4-8 LED's that cover the 410-420nm (roughly) range and add some phosphorescence in addition to beneficial lighting.

I don't need dimming or anything fancy (though I do run an apex)...just on off capability.

I would be happy to DIY one, or order a kit or full on fixture.

It seems that led's that hit that UV spectrum are fairly new additions to the market and not every company that does LED for aquariums offers them.

Can you Canreefers please give me some suggestions on either a supplier or a set up that would fit my needs?

Thanks kindly...

Looking at this...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/420-nm-Viole...-/271002976390

Might look good but I don't think it would help much with actual growth.
People on here recommend steves led for led diy.

steve's led is about as pricey as they come.

I am only looking for aesthetics here and not concerned with growth.

Looking at those on your link, I doubt they have much punch to get very far into your tank. I'm not sure you'd get any effect down low in your tank. Just a gut feeling, no experience with those strips whatsoever.
I got mine from ledgroupbuy. I have noticed however, that it seems the spectrum coming off these leds do something wierd with the plastic on their lenses. After a year or more, the lenses on mine are now brownish. See if you can get some without lenses.

Actually, the good quality ones nowadays take that into account...

Under reasons to buy this led over others...

"3. Silicone Filled NOT Epoxy (for Waterproof Only)

Waterproof Strips are filled with Real Silicone instead of epoxy glue that becomes yellow and faded over time. The real Silicone is also the only way ensure a consistent color temperature over time."

Any way of finding out what the power is on them? The ones I have are 700mA.

They indicate being as bright or brighter then ecoxotic stunner strips.

Would assume 700mA as well.

Cool, for that kind of cash, you really can't go wrong

I don't find UV helps with aesthetics much, at least not in particular.

EDIT: I just looked at what comes stock in the RSM 130, and it looks like it has PCs??? In that case, I'd suggest you go for a ReefBrite Blue strip. Those are the bomb for aesthetics.

I do notice certain corals fluoresce different when my TV LED's are on or off.

Have you considered a couple of 10 watt multi-chip LEDs? My DIY fixture consists of 3 rails of them in various colour temperatures. A 12 volt power supply on a timer & simple dimmer, you're good to go. I also added some LED strips to supplement the 10 watters. I have a couple of UV spectrum 10 watt multi chips as well (395-405 nm) but haven't installed them. I find the Royal Blues provide plenty of flourescence.

Since someone has already linked to auction site, here's another.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/2pcs-10W-10-W...item35d3330698

The strips are available in 5 meter spools from offshore vendors for very low price, but you need to plan ahead due to shipping time.

I did out in the op that I was working with pc's...no need for you to have to look it up.

WhAt is the spectrum of the reefbrites?

I think for my tank, 3 watt LEDs will be plenty.

And to clarify, not looking for true uv, just some supplementation in the 400-430nm range...which we all know not only looms pretty, but actually offers the most efficien, usable light spectrum for coral.

Looking at a diy from rapid led that will have 2 x Cree royal blue and 4 violet semi led.

About 100 bucks all in.

Myka, i am looking into the reefbrites.

Go look it up. :p

They only come in blue, white, or blue and white. Some people call the blues "actinic". I haven't actually looked up the spectrum, all I know is they make corals fluoresce like mad.

Ok, so not UV, not needed for growth, only visual appeal/black light fluorescence? Here are some pics of my sad 77 gallon tank a few years ago when I added 2 rows of RGB SMD5050 water proof LED strips to the multi chip build. I recently replaced them with SMD5630 cool white strips since the RGBs were a bit finicky. Fun to play around with, but tended to drift in colour when in the "white" mode which is what I primarily used them for to supplement the 10 watters. They come on 5 meter reels & with the IR remote control pad you can play around with all sorts of colour combos. They can be cut to size, plenty of options for coverage. I used aluminum angle bars to mount them.

https://ojcrhq.bl3302.livefilestore....61e.JPG?psid=1

https://ojcrhq.bl3302.livefilestore....44e.JPG?psid=1

Blue, made my modest collection of LPS & montis glow nicely.
https://ojcrhq.blu.livefilestore.com...71e.JPG?psid=1

Purple, achieved by the IR controller mixing the RGB's intensity.
https://ojcrhq.bl3301.livefilestore....73e.JPG?psid=1

Red, just for a change up, supposedly good for night viewing of your nocturnal critters.
https://ojcrhq.bl3302.livefilestore....69e.JPG?psid=1

For < $30, you could probably get a 5 meter reel of blue spectrum waterproof SMD 5050 LEDs, with power supply & possibly a remote or dimmer. Cut to size as many lengths as you need for your tank & lots left over to do up a room with your old black light posters from the '70s. There are clip type patch cables to link the strips together after you cut them, no soldering required.....although I've found the clips to be a little finicky too, so soldering is probably better in the long run.

Lol.
So reefbrites are out.

Those strip lights actually look pretty decent.
I see steves led offers one similar.

That was a very helpful post mike.

Thank you.

Though why was your tank sad?

I call my sumpless tank sad since it's nowhere near as nice a set up as many featured here on this fine forum. Not big on difficult to keep sps. I love it as a hobby, but my 77 Hagen will never be a candidate for TOTM. An upgrade to custom peninsula with basement sump has been planned for many years now, but I have other hobbies & home renos eating up $$$s.

Hard to go wrong with this:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/5630-SMD-300L...item1c512a7f96
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/5-20m-3528-50...item4ad8da46e8

Even if they don't work out for you, you'll only be out a few bucks & they can be used elsewhere. Various versions of these have been around in local stores for some time now. I have no doubt they all come from the same country, but local vendors & distributors take a huge mark up.