Do-it-yourself lamp for an aquarium energy-saving lamps. Instructions for making various aquarium lights. How to find out if there is enough light for the inhabitants of the aquarium

Light is necessary for the active development of aquarium plants, which in turn release oxygen for the normal life of fish. Properly organized lighting not only maintains the balance of the local ecosystem, but also emphasizes the beauty of its inhabitants, decorates the modern interior.

An illuminated aquarium is an expensive pleasure that not everyone can afford. However, there are many ways to create LED aquarium lighting with your own hands. Even a beginner can cope with this task after studying the instructions. For this purpose, you can use lamps of different types, but LEDs are considered the most profitable. In order for the idea to succeed, and plants and fish to develop, you need to choose the right light sources, taking into account their power, luminous flux and the size of the aquarium.

Aquarists know that the aquatic ecological system is based on the relationship of plants, microorganisms and other inhabitants. Aquarium fish are the final link in this system, which also need the right lighting for favorable living conditions.

But the most important light for aquatic plants. Proper lighting will accelerate their growth and development. With the help of light absorbed by algae, carbon dioxide and water are converted into oxygen and nutrients. This process is called photosynthesis. Thus, oxygen appears in the water, which is necessary for fish.

If there is little light, then degradation of plants occurs, the process of their reproduction stops and they gradually die. This negatively affects the condition of fish, mollusks, crustaceans.

The spectral composition of the radiation of different types of light sources is different. For this reason, various types of lamps (LED, fluorescent, halogen) are sometimes used to illuminate indoor ponds.

Important! In winter, artificial lighting is necessary to extend the daylight hours of the inhabitants of the aquarium. You need to turn on the backlight for a maximum of 12 hours, aquatic inhabitants should rest from 6 to 8 hours. The duration of the lamps in the summer is about 10 hours.

If the lighting is correct, then the algae have a rich green color with yellowish, purple and brownish stains. The fish are active, and their scales are shiny.

Sometimes the balance of the ecosystem is disturbed, this may be due to the purity of the water and the quality of the backlight. Then the liquid becomes cloudy with a greenish tint, which is bad for the condition of aquatic life.

If there is a lot of light, then there is an excessive growth of filamentous algae. To stop too active development of plants, you need to slightly reduce the brightness of the backlight.

You can talk about high-quality lighting if 2 months after you installed the lamps, the aquatic inhabitants feel good.

Often, for decorative purposes, lamps for aquariums are supplemented with bulbs with green or blue light. This is certainly beautiful, but such lighting disrupts the process of photosynthesis and has a depressing effect on fish. Therefore, it is better not to experiment.

Why is it better to illuminate with LEDs: choosing the right type of light source

For plants and fish in an aquarium, different light sources are sometimes used, since many of them are quite whimsical. Some owners of aquariums use LED lamps when creating lighting, others use incandescent filament devices, and still others use high-quality halogen and fluorescent devices.

Suitable lamps should emit light in a wide spectral range so that the plants develop but do not bloom. For example, conventional tungsten filament light sources have a narrow spectrum dominated by yellow rays. Such lighting provokes wilting of plants and water pollution.

High-quality lamps should not heat water. If the temperature rises even by 2°, then the condition of the fish worsens.

As a rule, the following types of lamps are used to illuminate aquariums:

1. Incandescent filament light bulbs were the most commonly used in the past. However, the yellow light that the device emits provokes wilting of plants. In addition, the light source heats the water. Combined backlights from fluorescent and incandescent lamps are now more popular.
2. Halogen samples consume little electricity, emit bright light, and do not heat up as much as conventional lamps. However, they contain mercury, so they are dangerous to aquatic life if broken.
3. Luminescent devices are still popular among aquarium ecosystem specialists. They are energy efficient, have a wide emission spectrum, give out diffused light. Two of these lamps are enough to illuminate a large aquarium (from 300 liters). However, they contain mercury vapor in their flask.
4. LED lamps are ideal for aquatic life. They consume a minimum amount of electricity, but at the same time emit a bright light flux, do not heat the water and glass of the aquarium. Their radiation spectrum is the widest, and there are no toxic substances in the composition.

Read also Features of lighting an aquarium and a herbalist with LED spotlights and lamps: how to choose, fix, do it yourself

LED strip lighting is a less preferred option. It is usually used in combination with other light sources as it has a low light output.

Pros and cons of LED lighting

After the introduction of LED lamps on the lighting market, they have taken a leading position among aquarists. The popularity is due to the characteristics that distinguish them from other types of lamps.

Advantages of LED light sources:

1. Energy efficiency. LEDs use little electricity, but still emit bright light.
2. High efficiency and low heat transfer. LED bulbs practically do not heat up even after 10 hours of operation. Therefore, an additional cooling system is not needed.
3. Strength. ICE crystals are resistant to vibrations, fluctuations, which cannot be said about light bulbs with thin spirals.
4. Long service life. Diode light sources can last about 5 years, provided they are used correctly.
5. Wide spectral range. Diode bulbs have a richer spectrum of radiation and high light output than other types of light sources. Crystals of different colors can be installed in one lighting device to create favorable conditions for plants and fish.
6. Safety. These light sources are maximally protected from moisture, fireproof.
7. Environmental friendliness. LED lamps do not contain toxic substances and do not emit ultraviolet rays. Therefore, they are safer for aquatic life.

The disadvantages of LED crystals include their high cost and the need to install additional equipment (power supply, dimmer). However, extra spending will quickly pay off due to energy savings.

As you can see, LED lighting has more pros than cons. That is why such light sources are very popular.

Correct backlight calculation: power, spectral range

If you decide to make an LED aquarium lamp with your own hands, then you need to correctly calculate the power of LED crystals. After all, the life of aquatic inhabitants depends on this characteristic.

According to the standard, the total backlight power should be in the range of 1 - 2 watts. However, the volume of the aquarium in liters can reach from 20 to 2000. It will be harder to illuminate a large indoor pond with a diode lamp with such power.

As a rule, 0.2 W crystals are used to organize the aquarium lighting system. To determine the number of lamps, you can use complex formulas or online calculators. But in practice, a 200-liter tank needs a tape with 30 crystals or 25 to 45 light bulbs (the power of each element is about 3 W).

Many aquarists use the formula - 0.5W / 1L. However, it is also not entirely accurate. If the aquarium is high, then the light simply does not reach the bottom, this can be seen even visually.

Attention! According to many experts, the illumination of the aquarium should be uniform so that the light reaches the very bottom. However, sometimes such illumination has a negative effect on bottom fish and snails. Fish, if necessary, will swim closer to the light, and then they will have the opportunity to hide in the shade. And the algae are still drawn to the light. Therefore, you should not always achieve perfectly uniform lighting.

The vital activity of aquatic inhabitants also depends on the spectrum and color temperature. Often, novice aquarists use yellow, blue, green light bulbs to illuminate the tank. It looks impressive, but the inhabitants of the aquarium suffer, the photosynthesis of algae is disturbed.

Experienced aquarists are advised to buy light bulbs, the spectrum of which is dominated by blue-violet or red-orange rays.

Where to install lighting fixtures

Lighting for the aquarium should match the interior design. It can be built into a closet, sideboard or bookcase. The best option is to install the lamp in front and above, that is, closer to the front wall. It is desirable that the aquarium has a lid that can be opened to feed the fish.

A room pond (or several) can be placed on a whatnot, and the lamps can be placed in front. A massive bedside table with an aquarium, which is equipped with a backlit lid made of the same material, will perfectly fit into the interior.

If you decide to install the lamps in a cabinet above the tank for marine life, then during the installation work it must be covered with a glass or plywood cover so that debris does not get into the water.

To increase the efficiency of lighting equipment, it can be supplemented with a thermal relay, photo relay, timer. The first device turns off the system when light sources or water are heated, the second turns on the light in the evening and turns it off during daylight hours, and the third turns off the light after a specified time. This is very convenient for busy people.

How to make your own LED lighting

It is not so difficult to make a backlight for an aquarium from LEDs with your own hands. The main thing is to follow the proven instructions.

About the benefits of photosynthesis.

Light energy plays a key role in the life of the underwater world. It promotes the reproduction of inhabitants and the development of plants. Without sufficient radiation, they do not grow their own kind. Green algae turn pale, degrade.

However, the appearance of oxygen bubbles on plants confirms the rapid course of photosynthesis, life extension. It increases with increasing intensity of light energy. The reaction occurs in the cell layers of green plants. The chlorophyll present absorbs (traps) photons of blue and red light, and reflects other tones. With different radiation frequencies and wavelengths, measured in nanometers (n/m). Therefore, if this area occupies the range from 600 to 700 n/m, then it contributes to the most intensive growth of leaves and plants.

• Red and orange rays are the main, decisive energy of photosynthesis.
• Violet and blue spectra create optimal conditions for its passage.

The concept of this process literally means: building from light and chemical elements found in water. Green plants convert carbon dioxide into food for their inhabitants.

For an aquarium, the best lighting is the use of semiconductor devices - LEDs. Their radiation, close to the natural environment, has a positive effect on the development of flora and inhabitants.

How aquariums are lit.

Aquarium lighting with incandescent lamps (L/N)

Having a yellow spectrum, necessary for plants. Favors the development of algae and phytoplankton. Such light is insufficient for some species, but well sets off the color of red and yellow fish. A very bright lamp adversely affects the development of leafy plants. They become smaller, lose their green color, the water blooms.

Placed above the aquarium, it heats up the water, making it uncomfortable for the fish. Sometimes l / n is supplemented with a universal luminescent type LBU, with an acceptable luminescence spectrum. Mount them in a box placed on top of the aquarium and with embedded reflective foil.

Aquarium lighting with fluorescent lamps.

With diffuse white and blue light, wide spectrum, economical, durable. The ratio of half a watt of power to one liter of water is enough for optimal lighting. To illuminate containers up to 500 liters, two lamps with a reflector are enough. Violent plants (Dutch) are illuminated by a source with a warm spectrum in the range of 1200-1800 K. Cold light of about 6700 K is suitable for bottom relief and predatory fish.

• A nanometer (n/m) is a unit of wavelength of light equal to 10 -9 meters.
• Incandescent lamps (l / n).
• (K) stands for - Kelvin. Unit of thermodynamic temperature.

Aquarium lighting with LED lamps (s.d.l).

This is the most progressive way of backlighting. Economical, do not emit heat. Their evenly diffusing spectrum suits aquarium plants without causing discomfort to fish. Used as an additional lighting option. Expanding the spectral range, it is used in combination with traditional radiation sources.

LED spotlights are suitable for aquariums without a lid. Its bright beam reaches the bottom of a reservoir of any size. It is enough to apply 1-3 pcs. s / d 10 W, 10.0 thousand K. and a luminous flux of 450-900 lm. Or 20 W, having 1600 lm and a temperature of 6400 K.

For a 100-liter, rectangular shape, choose one with a power of 50 W or 2 of 25. The spotlight does not emit heat that warms the water.

• SDL - LED lamp.
• SL - tape.
• LED - light emitter.
• LED is understood as a radiating semiconductor device.

Aquarium lighting with LED spotlights.

Aquarium LED lamps.

Their mounting is suitable for aquarium wall thickness up to 12 mm. Can be installed on any shape of lids. The lamp performs the role of both main and additional lighting. Figure 3, 4. The design is water-repellent. During short-term immersion, they do not lose their properties and parameters.

Available in six models. For fresh environment. Powered by 48V DC driver 1. Sufficient spectrum of radiation. Three-channel independent light control by a programmable controller. Creates various visual scenarios. Changes the color temperature in the range of 6.5-15.0K.

The radiating elements are arranged in a design designed for quick installation on the side wall of the aquarium, secured with a special lock. It has two variants of color spectra provided by 6 W diodes. Made in black or white case. Energy-saving devices are used. Maintenance free. Advantages of LED lamps. Modern design. Components from well-known suppliers are used in the design. Easy installation. Safe supply voltage.

• Driver - a device that provides voltage access to the consumer.
• LM - the value (unit) of the luminous flux.

LED aquarium lighting calculation.

The first version of the definition is approximate and amounts to half a watt of power per liter of water and a luminous flux of 40 lm. That is, a volume of 100 liters will require a total power of 50 watts. More often, SD is used in the range from 0.2 to a maximum of 3.0. Therefore, based on the lighting power, the number of emitters is determined.

Sometimes these parameters are selected visually or on the advice of experienced aquarists: separately for living creatures and plants. For the latter, there is a special calculator for selecting the number of semiconductor emitters. It is designed for different aquarium heights. For shallow - up to 450 mm and more than this size. Enter such data.

• Capacity dimensions.
• Type of vegetation.
• The proposed brand of LEDs indicating the thermodynamic temperature up to 8.0 thousand K.
• Current 350-700 mA.
• Illumination 139-300 lm.
• This calculator calculates the number of drivers and power supplies for 24 and 36 V.

Light source selection.

For a standard size aquarium (50 cm high), the parameters shown in the table are suitable.

Deep-sea tanks are illuminated with more powerful devices and enhanced light output. In order to save money, it is preferable to choose with the same characteristics. Comparative figures are shown in the table below.

Pay attention to the color spectrum. There is an opinion that sources of yellow, red light are suitable for the development of aquarium plants. There is another view - the simultaneous combination of several different lamps, the radiation of which affects the backlight and the visual impression.

SMD is a semiconductor emitting device. The abbreviation (Surface Mounted Device) stands for a product suitable for mounting on a plane. The numbers indicate the dimensions of the elements in mm.

Choice of installation location.

Preliminary specify the placement of lamps. Inside the aquarium, under a cover on the front, sides or back. To design the effect of overflow, on plants or fish, colored lamps are placed in front. Daytime is arranged from above over an open reservoir, brightly illuminating the flora and fauna. Monochrome with d l is attached around the perimeter. And in case of insufficient brightness, increase its length. It also illuminates the water. For an aquarium without vegetation, the original color lighting is used with RGB tape.

Why Choose LED

This is a modern version of the aquarium device. The LED is the leader among lighting devices due to the economical consumption of electricity (about 70%) and also in terms of technical characteristics.

• In terms of the spectral range, illumination and illumination are favorable for the existence of underwater inhabitants and flora.
• The quality, color gamut, lighting characteristics are stable throughout the entire period of use, more than four years. A sign of diode degradation is a drop in luminous flux.
• It goes to any part of the aquarium. The increase or decrease in light intensity is gradually adjusted.
• The low voltage used is safe for the operation of the devices. Works steadily with mains fluctuations.
• No periodic replacement of parts required.
• During operation, they do not emit excess heat, which negatively affects the temperature regime of the aquarium. Therefore, they make less demands on the cooling system.
• LEDs are an environmentally friendly device. The composition does not contain substances harmful to health, ultraviolet and infrared radiation.
• Resistant to mechanical stress.

RGB - capital letters mean multi-color light. Read, Green, Blue.

Do-it-yourself LED aquarium lighting.

Observe safety measures when working with electricity near a container with water, turn off the mains voltage, do not allow water to enter uncovered parts of the lamp.

Illumination of a reservoir on 40 liters.

For the manufacture of the device, you must have the following.

Placement of LEDs.

An appropriately sized cover for mounting 16 1W LEDs in it. Including 10 white tone, 4 red and 2 blue. This range of color selection ensures optimal plant growth. White diodes with a glow temperature of 6500 K and a flux of 100 lm. The driver (power supply) is sufficient for 1-watt LEDs in the amount of 12-18 pcs.

Aluminum plates are mounted on the inside of the cover, serving as radiators. They are attached with super glue. Additionally, dl are placed on substrates 1 (asterisks), which also play the role of a heat sink. Figure 1. Diodes attached with thermal paste. To cool 16 elements, the radiator area is quite sufficient. Having drilled the holes, then screw the sd with screws.

On the extreme rows are white LEDs. Middle: red and blue. All elements are connected in series - "plus" to "minus". The output is connected to the driver, on the other side of the cover. First, they check the quality of the installation of the diodes by the glow inside, and then they are convinced after installing it on the aquarium.

For a volume of 200 liters

Use SD 40 pcs. power of 3 W. Sometimes they are guided by the definition of the brightness of light by this ratio: one second watt per liter of water. However, with increasing depth, these figures double. LED lighting in the lower layers should ensure the photosynthesis of plants and the release of the required amount of oxygen.

Sometimes they arrange lunar night illumination by connecting a small piece of blue LED. It is placed at the level of the bottom of the reservoir from the back wall of the aquarium. The timer turns it on at the set time.

Necessary materials, tool.

• LED lamps 40 pcs.
• Connectors (sockets) 40 pcs.
• Copper wire.
• Plastic profile (gutter) 2.5 m wide 10 cm.
• Current source (12 volts).
• Tool, milling cutter 48 mm for processing holes.
• The substrate is a flexible plate with elements.
• Timer - a device for temporary switching of an electrical circuit.
• Cooler - cooling unit.

Device manufacturing technology.

Prepare two pieces of profile along the length of the aquarium. In the bottom, a meter long, in a checkerboard pattern, 20 holes are drilled. Insert and fix diodes. Each is connected in parallel to b p 1. The cooler (fan) is mounted in places of increased heating of the cover or abundant evaporation.

LED lighting in the aquarium.

For the manufacture of the device, typical components, materials, including tools are required. Ribbon for 12 elements. 12 volt current source. The connector for connection is made with a two-core 1.5 mm copper wire. A plastic flask (vessel) is taken in length at the installation site. Drill, soldering iron. Silicone, related materials.
step technology. Holes are drilled in the cover for the passage of the wire.
On the back side, pieces of foam rubber are glued in three places, avoiding its sagging. Solder the wires to the current-carrying tracks. The tape is placed in the flask, closed with lids and the joints are sealed with sealant. Qualitatively close up the hole, avoiding the ingress of water inside. After connecting the connector, check the device by connecting it to the power supply. The finished backlight is connected through a timer socket by programming the switching. It is taken into account that the device should work for 11-14 hours. Figure 2.
1.B.P. - abbreviated power supply.

LED strip for aquarium use in backlighting.

Use in LED strip lighting.

The following is a step-by-step guide to setting the optimal aquarium lighting.

• Set of tools.
• A lid (box) for placing parts, finished assemblies.
• Protective glass that protects them from moisture.
• LED strip type 3528 with 60 elements per meter. B p 12 volts.
• soldering iron
• related materials
• copper wire.

Manufacturing technology.

Four segments are cut along the length of the lid, according to the markings on the tape. Each 5 cm module contains 3 pieces. LEDs.
The ends are cleaned, exposing two current-carrying paths from the silicone film. One is positive, the other is negative. This operation is performed with all four segments. Seven ends are prepared for soldering, except for the eighth, which is not used according to the scheme.
First, two segments are connected into one tape, observing the “+” and “-” indications. They check the operation by connecting to the power supply, on which the same polarity symbols are used. And also perform with two other segments.
Connecting wires are measured in length in advance, avoiding sagging when installing the cover. Having soldered, four segments are checked by connecting to a b / p. Control wire connections. All contacts are protected with insulating sealant. The prepared tape circuit is ready for installation.
It is degreased with acetone, alcohol, solvent. Then, all four strips are pressed with the adhesive part.
At the corners of the cover, rubber stops are fixed, giving rigidity to the structure. They hold the protective glass, which was previously wiped.
Having installed it on rubber stops, all joints around the perimeter are filled with sealant.
To avoid contact with the body of the aquarium, the same pieces are glued onto the protective glass of the cover, which serve as a stop.
The finished device is checked by connecting to the power supply.

Finished products for homemade work.

From the existing range in light stores or aquariums, diodes with the required parameters are selected. RGB tapes, various power sd, as well as circuit boards STAR (asterisks). Matrices 10-100 watts. Lenses, aluminum boards, heatsinks of different sizes, current sources for 300-4500 mA, dimmer 2 starting from 350 mA, impenetrable and open sd l, RGB controllers 3. Soft wires 1.5 mm. Fans for a personal computer for 12 volts. Sockets and connectors for mounting lamps. Necessary components produced by popular manufacturers of LED products: Aquael, Hagen, Juwel, Aqua medic, Dennerie, Sera.

• Adapter - connecting device.
• Dimmer - an electronic design that extends the functionality of LED lamps.
• RGB controller - a device for controlling the radiation mode, adjusting the light.

LED spotlights in the aquarium with a remote control.

LED light with aerator

For an aquarium with a capacity of 115 liters. A luminaire with waterproof diodes is used, which work reliably and stably in immersion. The set comes with a remote control with colored buttons and clear intuitive controls. These are: "Start", "Stop". Light adjustment: "more", "less". Illumination and color options. For example, turning on the ordinary mode of one shade step by step, adjust from the minimum level to the maximum. Evaluated according to visual perception. And so on, over the entire range included in the control panel program. In addition, there are also four other adjustment options: flickering with all colors, switching to a smooth flow into any color scheme, or making a magnificent night light from the aquarium.
The package includes a 12-diode lamp attached to the bottom with two suction cups. It has a hole for air hoses. Adapter, infrared receiver, control panel connected via USB.

The functioning of any aquarium directly depends on the level of its illumination. When choosing the type of lighting for any aquarium, its depth, volume and type of tank, population are taken into account. The best option for hydrobionts are LED lamps, which make it easy to choose the required color mode, provide the most suitable conditions for plants and fish.

In this article:

Benefits of LED Lighting

LED lighting for an aquarium, unlike fluorescent lighting, has many advantages. LED lamp can be easily assembled with your own hands, it is characterized by economical consumption of electricity, while it is possible to adjust the spectrum and color temperature using special controllers.

Advantages of LED lighting include:

• a large selection of designs for luminaires;
• economical consumption of electricity;
• excellent performance and stability of the luminous flux, spectrum;
• environmental friendliness;
• excellent protection of the luminaire from mechanical influences, it is possible to install lamps that are resistant to splashing or getting wet.

Aquarium LED Lighting

It is impossible not to pay attention to the fact that LED panels and lamps for aquariums can be assembled by hand, while the cost of the finished product will be much less than the factory one.

The choice of LEDs for the aquarium

When choosing the type of luminaire, many parameters must be taken into account. This applies to the size of the aquarium, its type, requirements for luminous flux and how the lamps are placed. For work, you can use LED strips, spotlights or lamps, having calculated their power and quantity, taking into account the standards and requirements for organizing light for tanks of various types. For example, herbalists will need bright light for photosynthesis, and some fish require a daily change in light levels.

LED spotlights

When organizing the right lighting in an open aquarium, you can use LED spotlights. Such lamps give a very bright light, which easily reaches the bottom even in the deepest tanks. But for large Dutch aquariums, a minimum of two to three lights of 50 watts each is required. For conventional tanks of 100 liters, two 25 W spotlights are sufficient.

The color depends on the purpose of the lamp - white lamps are used for ordinary daylight, blue spotlights are used for night with imitation of moonlight. They should be positioned so that they evenly illuminate the entire container, leaving no dark corners.

LED lamps

The most common option for an aquarium are LED lamps. They are suitable for small aquariums up to 50 litres, providing the bright, stable light required by fish and plants. For large containers, it is better to choose large panels with several lamps, suspension systems or fixtures mounted on brackets.

Manufacturers offer various options for such lamps, the most famous are the systems from Aqualighter, designed for saltwater or freshwater aquariums. These are multifunctional models with the ability to change the color temperature, daily color change, preset modes. Such systems can be taken as the basis for designing your own lighting system.

LED strips

Not so long ago, LED strip lighting was used only for small aquariums, but today a similar method is also suitable for large tanks with a capacity of 200 liters or more. But when choosing, preference should be given to tapes with high power, for example, SMD 3528 is not suitable for a large aquarium. It is better to give preference to SMD 5050, SMD 5730 and others with 18 lm radiation for each diode. But when planning your own production of a lamp, you should immediately prefer a cooling system.

Features of the choice of lighting

When choosing lighting for aquariums, it is important to consider the following parameters:

• the content of the container, the type of inhabitants and plants in the aquarium;
• taking into account standard parameters (the minimum value is 0.5 W per liter);
• choice of LED lamp (ready-made or self-assembled "from scratch");
• design, which depends on the dimensions and depth of the tank (spotlights, rulers, lamps on brackets or suspensions);
• a set of equipment (lighting controllers, timers, controllers for daily color and spectrum changes);
• features of operation (protected from moisture or normal splashes).

LED light with air diffuser

On sale there is a large selection of ready-made lamps of well-known brands. When buying, it is recommended to give preference to them, since cheap Chinese ones do not always meet the stated requirements, and this can lead to illness of the inhabitants of the aquarium and overgrowth of its walls with algae.

Features of calculating a lamp for an aquarium

When calculating the level of illumination for an aquarium, it is necessary to take into account the accepted standards and features of the tanks. It is generally accepted that 0.5 watts of power and 40 lm of luminous flux brightness are required per liter of water. But for aquariums of various types, these indicators may vary, for example, for very deep tanks, the parameters are multiplied by 2.

For herbalists with rare plants and for Dutch aquariums, it is necessary to provide a luminous flux of 60 lm or more at 0.8-1 watt per liter. When planning lighting for elongated, deep aquariums, the standards may be different. In any case, the choice of a lamp must be approached individually.

LED lamp for aquarium Collar AquaLighter 2 22 W

It should be remembered that for every 10 cm of depth, the level of light flux decreases by at least 50%. Plant species, oxygen requirements and many other parameters are taken into account. It is important to remember that photosynthesis for plants goes into saturation only at a light level of 400 umol / (m2 * s), that is, the light must be intense. An important factor is the presence of ground cover plants, anubias and others.

We collect the lamp with our own hands

When installing a lighting system for an aquarium with plants, you must immediately decide on the option of the lamp. The most popular and simplest is the use of LED strips, for example, for a standard 100L aquarium, a five-meter strip with SMD 5050 diodes with a power of 0.2 W is enough.

The tape is attached to the lid of the aquarium in the form of a snake, while the direction may be different, but it is very important to observe the same density of LEDs. It is necessary to fix the lamp with silicone glue, the starting device and the power supply must be placed only on the outside in order to ensure proper heat exchange and prevent moisture from entering them.

The second method is more difficult, it requires certain skills, but the result is worth it. To do this, instead of a standard cover, a diamond-shaped or rectangular lamp is arranged above the aquarium, providing lighting with a brightness of 10,000 lm and a power of 120 watts. Such a lamp is quite enough for an aquarium with a volume of 200-300 liters.

The technical characteristics of such a lamp will be in no way inferior to ready-made factory ones, but their cost will be much lower. For assembly, you will need about 40 LED lamps of 3 W each, the color is white, blue, red, you need to be careful with green, as it can provoke accelerated growth of algae. It would be wrong to exclude green diodes altogether, but constant control of the balance is required to exclude the growth of an unfavorable environment.

Lamas are best taken from foreign-made brands such as Osram and Philips, although Era, Feron, Gauss are also great. To assemble a lamp for an aquarium with a volume of 200-300 liters, you will need:

• LED strip, LED lamps;
• a plastic gutter with a length of 2 meters and a width of 10 cm (the length will depend on the dimensions of the aquarium itself);
• 12 V power supply, it is possible to connect lighting to a desktop computer;
• wire with a cross section of 1.5 mm;
• air conditioning for 6-12 V;
• connectors for lamps (40 pieces, according to the number of lamps, connectors are not needed for the tape);
• tool for cutting holes 48 mm.

Lighting for an aquarium from LED strip

You need to start by preparing the base - two gutters and holes are cut in a plastic structure in a checkerboard pattern. LEDs will be inserted into these holes, which are very important to securely fasten. All lamps are connected with a soft wire, after which they are connected to the power supply. The fan is placed on the heated area from the outside of the structure.

If only white lamps are used for the lamp, then the tape must be taken blue to imitate moonlight. it is mounted on the rear wall, it can only be turned on at night or in combination with white light, providing coverage of the required spectrum.

In general, when calculating LED lamps, you need to focus on the following indicators - 0.5 W per liter of water, if the aquarium is very deep, then a 1 W lamp is taken per liter. The purpose of the aquarium is also taken into account, for example, a herbalist needs bright, good lighting, without which photosynthesis will simply be impossible.

In addition, when choosing lighting, one must take into account the spectrum and color temperature. For plants and aquarium inhabitants of different species, they can be completely different. The level of illumination should be uniform, a daily change in light is necessary to ensure the health of your pets.

Conclusion

LED lamps for aquariums are gradually replacing fluorescent lamps as more economical and efficient. Their service life is much longer, and energy consumption is lower, it is also possible to independently install various types of lamps.

Aquarium plants need a lot of light for normal growth and development. The fish do not need it so much, but with sufficient illumination they look very attractive, bright, and behave actively. That is why it is so important to choose the right lighting for the aquarium. This is not as easy as it seems at first glance, as there are many details that you need to know.

Where to place the backlight for the aquarium

Most often, the backlight in the aquarium is located on top. The most common option is in the lid. Both long and ordinary lamps can be installed here. To achieve more uniform illumination, reflectors are installed near the lamps, which redirect and scatter the light. This is especially important if one long lamp is used. If it is simply fixed on the lid, most of the bottom remains in the shade, which is not always good.

But not always a close location near the water is good. If lamps are used that emit a large amount of heat, you have to install coolers (fans) or raise them above the aquarium. In this case, you can use suspensions and stops. Here who will adapt as - there are different options.

Make a special ceiling mount

The upper light does not always reach the bottom in the right amount. Then you can either increase the power of the lamps, or place several on the walls, closer to the bottom or at the very bottom. The latter option is more decorative, but can somewhat improve the low light in the lower layers.

Illuminated aerator - one of the options Aquarium lamp with suction cups - can be attached to the walls at any level

The “top” lighting for the aquarium is more correct, but to correct the situation and the impossibility of a quick alteration, you can use the light sources located below, or you can install spotlights for a decorative effect - to emphasize some part of the relief or an unusual plant at dusk.

Lamp types

Aquarium lighting can be done with any type of lamp. Generally anyone. But its effectiveness, the appearance of plants and fish, the amount of energy spent will be very different. Let's evaluate all types of lamps from these positions.

Incandescent and halogen lamps

They are combined into one category, as they have similar advantages and disadvantages. Incandescent lamps are good for aquariums in that they emit light whose spectrum is very similar to sunlight. The second big plus is the affordable price. But the disadvantages are very serious. This is a low efficiency - about 97% of the energy is spent on heat generation and only 3% directly on the emission of light waves.

The bills for such aquarium lighting will be decent. In addition, it is necessary to remove the heat that incandescent lamps emit during operation. This is usually done by installing coolers - low-power fans, but they also do not always save.

Metal halide

This type of lamp is ideal for aquariums with a lot of grass and if the water column is more than 60 cm. This is due to the wide spectrum of light emitted, its high brightness and its ability to penetrate to great depths. When illuminated with metal-halogen lamps (MHL), there will be “solar” glare at the bottom, shadows from plants, fish.

The disadvantage is that during operation they get very hot, so basically such lamps are installed at a distance of at least 30 cm from the water surface.

Fluorescent lamps

Today, these lamps are available in several versions. There are ordinary household (NO). They have a low level of luminescence, they can be used to illuminate shallow aquariums - up to 50 cm deep. Below the light simply does not reach. There are two other technologies HO (High Output) and VHO (Very High Output), which, with the same dimensions, shine many times brighter. Here their light is able to penetrate to a fairly large depth.

Two types of fluorescent lamps are commonly used in the aquarium trade - T5 and T8. T8 is more commonly used. They have the best value for money. T5 lamps with a smaller diameter (16 mm versus 26 mm) give twice as much light, but also cost twice as much as T8. And since it’s all the same to change them at the same time, they use the G8 more often.

One more thing: these two types of lamps are not interchangeable: T5 requires a special ballast, so the lamps for them are different.

The disadvantage of fluorescent lamps is that over time they “burn out”, that is, they change the spectrum of the glow. This forces a replacement every 6-10 months, although the lamp is still working and can last for many more months. But the plants already “do not like” its light. And this is an additional cost and quite tangible.

Compact fluorescent lamps or housekeepers

According to their characteristics, they are very similar to conventional fluorescent ones, only the shape of the light tube has been changed - they are twisted into a spiral - and the cartridge - it is for standard connectors.

LED

To date, lighting for an aquarium using LEDs is recognized by many as optimal. They heat up a little, with low electricity consumption they shine brightly, have a wide color range, and are distinguished by a long service life. In addition, they are safe, as they work from 12 V.

Another plus of using LEDs is that their brightness can be easily changed. In the absence of experience, it is almost impossible to immediately select the optimal amount of light, so the ability to adjust the amount of light is very useful.

The disadvantage of LEDs is the considerable price for good quality crystals. The second unpleasant moment is that they also emit heat, which must be removed. But heat is generated by the LED housing and it is easier to remove it - install it on an aluminum plate, which will take heat away. If necessary, you can build a cooler from the back or lift it higher above the water.

If we talk in relation to the aquarium hobby, then by organizing the right LED lighting for the aquarium, you can achieve a play of highlights and shadows on the bottom, an excellent view of plants and fish.

A few words about what LED lamps are:

For all these reasons, LED aquarium lighting is becoming more and more popular. At low costs at the stage of operation, they give good light, "burn out" much more slowly. Moreover, it is possible to make the backlight "color" using RCD diodes. By the way, they allow you to adjust the amount of one or another “shade” of light.

Combined aquarium lighting

When creating lighting for an aquarium, many experienced owners combine several types of lamps - two or even three. This way you can achieve optimal illumination at minimal cost. Most often, fluorescent and LED lamps are combined, fluorescent with metal halide, all three types are used.

It just seems like there aren't many options. In fact, there are a lot, since light sources are also selected according to the temperature of the light. As a result, the visual perception and colors of vegetation and fish change significantly. When selecting, it is desirable to obtain a spectrum close to the spectrum of sunlight or choose a combination that all the inhabitants of the aquarium like.

Light intensity

In order to choose the right lighting for an aquarium, many factors must be taken into account: its type (marine or freshwater), the presence of plants in it and their needs (how much light they need), the geometric parameters of the jar itself (the height of the water column) and the color of the water. Depending on all these factors, lamps and fixtures are selected.

Selection by volume

A common practice is to choose the brightness of the fixtures for the aquarium based on its volume. The technique does not take into account a lot of nuances, but can be used as a basis - for an approximate determination of the required lamp power. The required power of the lamps is considered depending on the volume of water (not the reservoir, but the water - subtract the air gap and the thickness of the soil).

• For an aquarium without plants, light is not needed so much - fish do not need much. Count at 0.1-0.3 W / l.
• If the aquarium contains shade-loving algae and fish, the lighting power can be calculated based on the norm of 0.2-0.4 W / l.
• Average illumination - 0.4-0.5 W / l. But with this choice, the plants will grow slowly, they will stretch upwards.
• The optimal illumination for a normal herbalist, for bright and healthy plants is 0.5-0.8 W / l.
• Bright lighting with a large number of photophilous plants - 0.8-1.0 W / l.

The data are given for lighting with incandescent lamps and halogen lamps. But they are used less and less today, as they are ineffective and get very hot. You can determine the required power of other light sources from the correspondence table.

After calculating how much fluorescent lamp power you need, you can calculate the required power of other types of light sources.

Depth Selection

When determining the intensity of aquarium lighting, its depth must be taken into account. The thing is that when passing 10 cm of water of medium transparency, the illumination drops by 50%.

Every 10 cm of depth “eats up” 50% of the light level

This means that if the illumination on the surface is 1000 lm, at a depth of 60 cm it will reach only about 15 lm, and below it will be practically dark. If you want to have healthy plants, you need to have at least 60-90 lm at the bottom of the light. Therefore, when calculating the intensity of lighting for an aquarium, its depth should also be taken into account.

Aquarium lighting time

When designing lighting, the question arises: how long should aquarium lighting last. The answer is based on the "habits" of plants and fish. They come from tropical latitudes, and there daylight hours last about 12 hours, regardless of the time of year. This is the lighting regime that you need to provide your plants with.

Sometimes they try to compensate for the lack of illumination by extending daylight hours. This usually does not have positive consequences, but negative ones appear very often - with a long daylight hours, the water begins to bloom, the illumination still decreases, and it becomes necessary to replace the water.

In addition to the fact that the light in the aquarium should be on for a certain time, it is also desirable to create some kind of half a day - some time - 3-4 hours a day - the lighting should be very bright, the rest of the time the aquarium lighting intensity can be reduced. To implement this mode, several lamps are used, which are turned on through separate toggle switches / switches.

In order to automate the process, you can install a timer. Today there are absolutely inexpensive models through which you can turn on the lamps. They are mechanical and electronic. Electronic ones can be programmable and you do not have to set the time each time, as the power will be turned on and off automatically.

Natural lighting does not make it possible to create full-fledged conditions for underwater inhabitants. It illuminates the tank unevenly. In winter, the length of the day is noticeably shorter. In this regard, the use of artificial lighting is indispensable. Therefore, next we will tell you how to do diy led aquarium lighting using inexpensive and readily available materials.

LED lighting carried out to implement decorative functions, create an optimal habitat for plants and organisms. The importance of LED lamps is explained by the following reasons:

• Ability to create effective lighting intensity.
• High quality LED lamps.
• Long period of exposure to lighting.

The main features of LED lamps

The advantages of this light source are as follows:

Due to the long period of operation, you will not often have to wonder about replacing the source of ice lighting. Moreover, arrays consisting of several light bulbs can be used. There are no drawbacks to this aquarium fixture. The only thing I would like to note is its recent appearance on the modern market, so this device does not have mass distribution.

Choosing the Right LED Bulbs for Your Aquarium

The selection of light bulbs for an aquarium should be based on two key parameters. The first is the intensity of the light flux. The second is color temperature. When choosing a lamp, pay attention to the lumen / watt indicator. The higher it is, the greater the energy efficiency, that is, the economy of the light source. Also pay attention to the pulsation coefficient of the light flux - let it be less than 5%, ideally 1%. Higher values ​​​​of this indicator will lead to increased eye fatigue, and why do you need an aquarium that negatively affects your health.

Each aquarium light has a different color temperature mode. In an aquarium, it should not be less than 5500 K. The ideal solution if the color temperature is 6000–8000 K.

If an ice light source with a value of less than 4000K or lower is selected, the light will be excessively yellow. Conversely, a value of more than 6000K indicates the predominance of blue. The most favorable color palette for an aquarium is warm white, cool white or daylight.

The quality level of the light source is equally important. Do not buy overly cheap lamps. They have an increased glow intensity only during the first time of use. After a certain period of time, the process of degradation of the light source can be observed, which adversely affects the inhabitants of the flora and fauna of an artificial domestic reservoir. The choice of the shade of the lamp is an individual decision of the owner of the tank.

How best to install LED lamps

In an aquarium with your own hands, you can easily install LED lamps. In the process of this work, in order to achieve the most comfortable microclimate in the tank, an attractive visual effect, it is important to do this work correctly. When mounting the lamps on top, a cover glass should be provided to help prevent excessive evaporation of the liquid, fish jumping out, or water droplets falling on the flasks. To save electrical energy, you can recommend setting a timer that will automatically turn off the light according to a given pattern.

The main thing is to light the aquarium in such a way that all the needs of living beings and plants are satisfied. If you notice, for example, that the algae are not as bright as before, and the fish have turned pale, then there is a high probability that the backlight is set poorly. Rotting plant roots indicate that the LEDs are not directed towards their roots.

It should be noted that the abundance of light is also an error in setting the correct amount of illumination. In such a situation, the water blooms, there is a green coating on the walls.

How to light up an aquarium

There are two easy ways to arrange lighting. The first way is the easiest. DIY LED lighting for the aquarium will help to significantly reduce your costs. You will need an LED strip.

Then you just carefully stick it around the perimeter of the structure. Please note that lighting the aquarium with LED strip will make the lighting as uniform as possible, although not energy efficient enough. This tape is sold in a skein. On one side of the tape are LEDs, and on the other - double-sided tape. But keep in mind that this type of lighting is not the only source for your aquarium. To create full-fledged lighting, it is advisable to use additional T5 or T8 LED lamps. The place where the tape and cord are fixed must have insulation based on silicone filler.

The second way of lighting is the installation of LED lamps. It is more popular and allows you to create a full and high-quality lighting of the entire tank. It is not difficult to assemble an LED lamp for an aquarium with your own hands. The lamp consists of lamps of a certain number. How many should you take? For a capacity of 200-300 liters, you need 40 spot-type lamps. Each bulb should be rated at 270 lumens (3 watts each).

How to calculate the lighting of LED lamps in an aquarium

Lighting needs should be calculated in lux, which refers to units of illumination. As we remember, 6000-10000 lux will be enough for a standard aquarium. It is necessary to calculate the area of ​​the tank. It is calculated in square meters. The resulting figure must be multiplied by the number of lux set for the aquarium. The result should be the desired indicators for a small domestic pond.

Do-it-yourself tank lighting with LED lamps

If you first study useful information, then installing lamps for an aquarium will not cause difficulties. Installation of lamps involves the sequential implementation of the following steps:

Summing up - LED aquarium lamps - how profitable it is

From the above information, we can conclude that the installation of LED lamps for an aquarium does not cause additional difficulties. Having previously read the literature on this issue, you can easily put them in a tank based on a self-created lamp. Do-it-yourself LED aquarium lighting organized in this way has a large number of advantages. It creates high-quality and complete lighting for underwater inhabitants, economically, has a variety of color combinations. The only disadvantage of using lamps is their relatively high cost. However, over time, these products easily pay for themselves. The aquarium operates in energy-saving mode.

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