HOW TO: CHEAP and EASY LED aquarium light - SUPER CHARGED 

How to build an LED aquarium light that is fully customizable, cost effective and looks great! Get the ultimate DIY book ► thekingofdiy.com Follow me ► facebook.com/uarujoey Original LED light build ► goo.gl/mVXagi

My boyfriend and I just made this today within about 2 ½-3 hours! It looks amazing! Couldn't get the spacing as great as you did but it still looks amazing! Thanks for the tutorial!! We didn't bother with the painting because we plan on using a canopy for our tank once it's set up.

took your idea with this diy light system for my 110 gallon that didn't have a light or lid, and it saved me a fortune.. also used the clear roof for greenhouse that you use and it def saved me some money, and gave me a Lil extra money for decor and stocking my tank.. I bought the 110gal from a yard sale for 30 bucks. got it home cleaned it built a stand, set it up and filled it up halfway. good to go, thrn topped it off. and left it a few days. no leaks.. so took 2 spare cascade 1000 canister filters that had been up and running for about 3 years, along with 2 aqua clear 110 hob filters to help jump start the cycle. waited a month and just stocked it. I have always kept central and south American cichlids and been wanting to try africans, so ended up making the 110 gal a peacock and hap tank and with this diy light system, it is amazing and super bright. I got the super night rgb + cool white led strip and love it thanks for your awesome vids Joey, keep em coming sir. o and one last thing. a good 2 years ago I was watching videos and learned about a algae scrubber. an how it eats the nitrates so I picked up all the supplies and made 6 for all my tanks. they're still up and running an thriving. but was watching your vids and come to find out it was your video I used to make the algae scrubbers yrs ago. and now I'm done blabbing. thanks sir

Joey, you truly are the king of diy! I'm a 16 year old fish enthusiast, hoping to become an engineer one day and your creativity amazes me! Keep up the great work

This is one of your better do-it-yourself project ideas. Using the PVC pipes is sheer genius.

love the videos!! as someone who uses LEDS I can tell you that if you get the right kind and enough of them you will grow plants! my 75g tank is thriving with about 8m of LED strip lights in a DIY hood for the tank. I've even been able to grow mid and mid-high light plants!

Thanks for the idea / tutorial. I modified it a hair and did a 5 foot version. I just did one light down the center, I used 1" Schedule 40 PVC (Figured thicker walls and may be stronger so less bow). Also lined the pvc with some of the tape for kicks. On the ends rather than using tape I used some wire ties. As well Down the center of the 1" PVC I had some 1/2" pvc laying around. I took a piece cut slightly shorter than the 1" and wrapped it 20 times in masking tape at 3 spots spaced throughout the mid section of the pipe. This allowed it to snug up to the inside of the 1" and not move around. The 1/2" will also ace as reinforcement to the 1" PVC, I don't believe I will have any warping issues. Very slick. Thanks a bunch!

This is a great idea! I set up the normal 11 gal. "starter tank" for my two sons a couple of years ago, since I wasn't sure they'd really want to stick with having an aquarium. They've really liked it, so now I'm upgrading to a 30 gal. that a friend gave to me. It's an older tank, with a fluorescent tube light, and I was trying to figure out a cost effective way to convert it to LED. It's already got a nice hood around the tube light, so I'll pull that entire assembly out, and replace it with two rows of LED's, like you showed here. Being only 25" long, it should be very bright with only one role of LED's. Thanks a bunch for making this video!

You could use this same technique on a fluorescent light set-up (the ones supplied with most tanks) by wrapping the actual tube bulbs with the LEDs and using the housing instead of just tossing it.

brother you are the master tinker-er. I am really suprised (&I am assuming this HASN'T happened) that you have not been approached by some of these companies to be on their design team. This like most of your builds was simple genius!! I have been going back and forth about lights for a few months now. I think it is safe to say this knocks a few lights right out of the box.

GREAT upgrade to your first couple of videos on LED lights! Brilliant, in fact! (no pun intended) I really have to thank you though. I started using LED strips a couple weeks ago on one of my tanks, and I was just trying to hash out how I was going to install them on a fish rack I'm currently building. You solved my installation AND brightness issues in under eight minutes! Thanks!

your video just came on the right time ...yesterday I was searching around how to make DIY powerfull led lights ...I saw ur old project too ..great job...keep it up man

outstanding Joey. I was getting ideas on how to do something like this for my 10 footer, and now thanks to you, I got them all in place....again thanks for the teachings.

Awesome DIY custom build Joey. I really enjoyed this video... Thanks for sharing ! ! !

I love watching your videos even though I may never build these things. It's refreshing to see someone apply themself like you do.

I'm so Glad you came back to this build I really liked the first one but I love the update! Thanks Joey!

Wrapping it around the pvc pipe is a great idea! I'm currently building a housing for my led strips for the aquarium and I was getting all panicky about how to deal with the led going back and forth regarding corners. Trying to find adaptors is difficult and I dont have a soldiering iron so this is brilliant! Thanks so much mate

Clever way to brighten it by wrapping it around the pipe. That's definitely an improved design. Even doing a similar build using a single strand would be an improvement on the old design just to fix the adhesive problem. I built an infinity mirror for my sister using these rope lights. I was having a similar problem keeping the lights stuck to the sides. Nice solution!

This is brilliant!! Was looking for a lighting solution for my new 125 and I just found it!

Great vid joey!! You always do a great job showing and describing without wasting a bunch of time. My question is why didnt you just put the strips flat (like your first build) side by side (~4strips in paralel) and solder the ends to connect each pair? You would not have as much light loss. all the leds would be facing down you would not have to reflect the light from the leds facing up or to the side. This method would eliminate the cost of the pipe, the pipe end caps, the bolts and the worry about the pvc pipe sagging. just a thought keep up the good work!

I really like this, you've given me a great way to start a high powered grow light version possibly... I never thought about gutter before, thanks.

Hi Joey, what is the advantage of rolling the led strips with a reflective backing as opposed laying multiple flat runs, which would mean all light is directed into the tank? Thanks for all your great videos and podcasts.

Built my light almost the very same way about a year ago!!! It was a great light, very bright and looked great!!! Only problem was ( I`m sure it was due to bad craftsmanship ) it developed a short at the connection... These are great lights, just make sure to use a zip tie or something over the connection, I just left mine hang and over time the short developed!!! ANOTHER GREAT VID JOEY!!!

Dude, I'm an HVAC tech, I have most of this stuff already. And a really lame light on my red devil/red mammon hybrid. Totally doing this, thanks so much!

I can't stop watching your videos and I keep building and building all kinds of things for my aquariums, but gets me in trouble with my lady lol keep doing what your doing Joey the awesome bro

Great project! Not only for aquariums, this is very useful for another variety of things.

I know this is an old video, but I just made two of the old version for my 40gal a month ago I just stuck two strips to the gutter and just found this video Saturday and built one like this for my 20 gal guarantine tank an used one strip...I painted both the insides with chrome silver spray paint from Walmart and the outsides with black kyron and side by side I don't know why the wrapped one is definitely brighter then the two stuck down flat...I dont know how haha. But great build Joey love your DIY videos

This is the cheapest and best performing DIY lamp I have ever seen :) - Chuan

I did this lighting for my dually 75g grow out stand from a DIY video done years ago. It works well, but the heat will make the conduit pipe warp in time, so make sure you brace it in the middle.

I just made one for my 125 gallon tank. Thank you so much!

This is a very good idea! Very creative. It's a slick design. Good job, as always.

I built one for my 20 gallon long but i got almost my entire strip into it by cutting a section of egg crate to place inside the gutter. Then I weaved the light strip in and out of it...and ultimately I got about 12 feet of light strip stuffed into a 28" length of gutter and they all point down into the tank. Thanks for your ideas joey, I'm going to be building these lights on all future tanks.

Aww man! I built the old version 6 months ago. I like the reflective tape, I'll add that for sure. I ended up making as many passes as I could with one spool of lights in a 6 ft long gutter. I did have to use silicone to glue the strips on cause even with electrical tape, they fell down. Great build Joey.

I was thinking about the lighting issue couple of days ago , I guess you were reading my mind :) really appreciate it .

these videos are the best ive ever seen... thank you for all the helpful info... beautiful fish also.. kinda wish you were in western canada though

Thanks for this Joey, I'm going to build one for my ten gallon. ☺

Thats pretty cool joey, Just added those strips. Reflective tape looks cool too!

I did the exact same set up before you posted the video. Great design!

Very clever! I might use this idea if I ever do a non-planted tank.

Great DIY Joey! Are there any guidelines as to what's the best spectrum or intensity of lights to be used in an aquarium?

Could you use this build for a low light reef tank? I’m having a hard time finding some DIY reef lights and really love this build.

Love this! Have you tested it with plants yet? I need a new lighting system and would love to build one of these but I do have a few small plants in my tank.

Nice video might give it a try!

Thank you so much for this! I have one question, would you advise to use this to be used in small aquariums like 10, 30, 55 gallons for growing plants together with fish? I am looking to replace my lights on my 29gl but I am worried this may not be ideal for my live plants. I have many different plants like Cabomba Plant, Red Tiger Lotus, Java Ferm, Anubias in driftwood, and another one I can't remember the name. I don't need perfect lighting settings, as long as they will keep growing steadily. I am not looking for fast growth in other words, just survival in good conditions, thriving of my plants basically. What do you think?

Awesome idea wrapping the LEDs on the poly pipe. I'm using this on my new 500L display tank. Subbed great channel.

Great video! I'd love to see you build a light fixture for us guys with the planted tanks!

I have an old desk from when I was a child. I'm going to take out the desk light that no longer works and put in these light strips along the hutch. I am using this desk as a sewing desk and need as much light as possible. I would prefer a simple switch, so I'm still toying around with the idea. my tanks are 4 ft and 2 ft wide and I found relatively cheap led lights for them so did not go with this plan. just goes to show you how your diy videos are handy for just about anything! I'll let you know how it turns out!

Great idea!!! Were both strips connected to one power supply or separate power supplies. Could not tell on video. Saw the connections but not the power supply. Just got the lights today and on the way to the hardware store. Thanks.

thanks for your vids. i spray painted the inside of my gutter silver and it worked great.

Nice! I like the design a lot!

Love the presentation of your videos, brother. Your creativity and ingenuity are amazing!

That is an amazing diy !!!! U are really inspiring me to build a big DIY tank !!!

Awesome upgrade to the old version. Setting up a small breeding system soon and this will be perfect for lighting.

This is amazing thank you Joey 💙🐠

Dude....you are an inspiration. luv all your ideas and vids. Also putting alot of them into practice myself. Thank you x

This is awesome! I am going to make this for my 10 gallon!

love ur videos uve increased my understanding of sumps and equipment

Good write up im planning to use these when I build my fish room. I was planning on using the gutter but saw a cheap idea that might work.. What about using metal stubs?? They are cheaper then gutters and can help with reflecting the light just a thought

I did this looks superb thankyou vety much

Love your channel man, can't believe I never seen your diy stuff before. I did something very similar to my Modular aqeon led hood, I suggest using a dab of hot glue every foot, that 3m Adhesive that comes on the led strip doesn't hold long.

this video is great!! but just want to ask what i can use aside from rain gutter for small aquarium about 6x12 inches. Thanks you!

great video, I was thinking if you used a transparent pvc tubes you also run a third led for low level night lighting.

This is why you're the KING of DIY!

Great work joey. Hats off to your imagination..

DIY King, thanks for sharing all the knowledge and experiences. They are a real blessing for us all. In reference to this light, my only concern is the heat factor. I've watched similar project videos and heat was the root of their demise. As of this day, have you had any melting or heat associated problems w/ you new creation? Merry Christmas!!!

You can buy clear tube instead of the white PVC, I used this stuff when I made a UV light for my salwater tank and works great! that way you can get all the reflected light through the tube and increase your light spread instead of blocking it with a solid tube that will block the backside from emitting as much light as possible.

watched this video and did one for a 55, works great, couldn't be happier with how it turned out

this is Genius. amazing use of engineering!

U are doing incredible things.

thanks for the video. will be building one soon

OMG, this is exactly what I need. Thank you! ❤🐠🍀

these video is going to help me alot . I just got a 8 foot long aquarium thanks .

you are a godsend my good sir

I have some flouresent light bar frames that have chrome reflectors in the bar but don't work. I will use those instead of gutter. you can get these for free most of the time. think that will work?

Looks really good, like pro build tip. I will try to do this :) Thanks alot!

I know I'm late but I wanted to make this out of foamboard as a mock up and it works pretty well. The only thing is the LEDs get pretty hot so I'm worried that something may happen with the foamboard. I will probably make this out of pvc because it's so good. It's really bright and is brighter than when my tank is in sunlight

The simplicity of this is blowing my mind ...

Good build, you also can tape the tubes for more reflection!

this is a great idea. im thinking of doing this with my extra florescent light fixture. not sure if I will be able to fit two pvc tubes. im really new to these LED strips. did you use two strips? If so can two be attached to that one controller? when you cut the strip can you use that cut piece and essentially use it for two. if i run them really dense together do you think i can use it for plants? great job. thanks in advance.

Excellent build brotha

I wish someone would come out with a rope light like this that would work for corals. I love the ability to customize colors on these but I'm pretty sure at thier output level, they'd just make algea grow like crazy. Thanks for another great video.

Joey, would you consider creating a DIY video of creating a T5/LED combo that will grow corals/make them pop!? Thanks for all the wonderful content!

Thanjs, you give us good idea. Can you make vedio about fish care

Bravo Joey! How would you arrange three Radion 30w for a 90gal discus tank. I’m considering a mounted tank arm for ease. Cheers

Hello , great videos btw, how do you change and control two different colors with the same remote?

Can you test these lights with your setup and see if you can grow a plant like bamboo? I'm looking to have a couple plants in my aquarium. I'm currently running a 300gallon acrylic.

Best DIY light build ever!

i was really looking for one of these, i bought a 60cm(23.62 inches) aquarium, but i left the light in the store because it was way more expensive than the actual aquarium, so i've been using the small light from the 15cm(5.9 inches), witch isn't bad since most of the fish aren't nocturnal but i would want to use the small aquarium again so this would definatly be a sollution and if any mateirals are left i might make one for the small one too so that i can have a "night mode". I'm so happy i found one of your videos! Edit: Btw, in order to do it for 2 racks i'll need 2 controllers right? (the white thing the connects the led strips to the power adaptor)

Awesome build, Fired Up!!!

You're so awesome dude! Thanks for video 👍🏻

I have a similar set-up. I have found the lighting to be adequate for the fish, However I would prefer it to be brighter. would the reflective tape significantly increase light on a 3 foot long 55 gallon?

Thank you for the follow up video, I was hoping for a video like this!

Another really great build.

Another great idea joey thanks that is another idea I'm more than likely going to try,, ha what do you think the running costs are on one of these,, it's obviously a lot cheaper than a normal aquarium light ,, any idea? Thanks again for all your day builds

first thing thank for all the diy info. I have 3 projects that I want to do after watching your videos. my question is how did you get to have the strips on two separate pvc pipes to have 2 different colors with 1 led roll and 1 controller?

can i ask something .. you say that these 2 tubes cant support a reef tank and growing the corals?? i think that these leds are powerful enough to do this job but i want your opinion before i order the leds..thank you !

Just revisited this video since I’m currently redoing an aquarium I’ve had in my house for 20 years. Did you use 2 separate lights strips for this or just one?

any strips for plants ?

I'm thinking of setting up a tank for glofish, do you think these lights can produce the right spectrum to make them glow?

You ever tried RGB+W LED strips? You can control the whites separately from the colors and it makes it bighter and with a bigger range of collors