i tend to jump right in and find people smarter than me to keep me from doing to much damage. over the last 4 months ive bought a lot of 12 volt led strip lights{automotive type}. they are protected ( in groups of 3s) with [B][I][U]current limiting resistors, remember that.
and due to the lumens put out by different colors at the same power LEVEL take that in to consideration.
in my top i have a lot going on;
# OF SWITCHES QUANITY AND TYPE
2S 2 250watt mh 10k junk light and a 14k
1S 1 96 watt cp 10k
1S 1 96 watt cp asinitic
1S 4 36" royal blue LED strips
3S 3 12" clear LED strips
1S 2 24" red " " "
1S 2 12" red " " "
1S 1 24" orange " "
1S 1 12" BRIGHT BLUE "
1S 10 individual LED moon lights
1S 1 fan to keep it all cool.
one thing to remember about leds they give you a voltage range they will operate at,OPERATE AT THE MINIMUM VOLTAGE. IF ALL LEDS ARE LIT, THEY WILL NOT GET ANY BRIGHTER, ALL EXTRA POWER WE BE BURNED OF AS HEAT IN THE CURRENT LIMITING RESISTORS AND THEY WILL GET HOT
on another tank i was using a 400watt 20k mh. i replaced the bulb 4 months ago with the wrong one,an icecap 250watt 20k mh. there is nothing about the light that would make you think its 20k and its damn bright. brighter than any light i have ever had in there. any one else do this and what were your results.