How To Build Your Own Terrarium Grow Light Using LED Strip Lights
As both amateur and professional plant enthusiasts have discovered, energy-efficient LEDs are highly effective in virtually any grow light application. The benefits are immediately apparent: LED lights are long-lasting, use very little energy, and will not produce plant-wilting excess heat. As a result, many are installing LEDs in terrariums and other indoor garden applications. One of our customers did just that using UltraBright™ strip lights from Flexfire LEDs, and we asked him to share his experience in order to create a simple tutorial. Follow these steps and learn how to build your own terrarium grow light using LED strip lights.
First, a combination of Flexfire LEDs 12v Design Series and 24v Architectural Series UltraBright™ strip lights were mounted onto aluminum bars and channels. This allows custom configuration, and the aluminum acts as a heat sink for the LEDs, helping them perform better and last longer. These aluminum bars are inexpensive and easy to find at any home improvement store.
Adhesive pads were attached to the end of each bar; these pads rest on the rim of the terrarium. The power connection was soldered to the LED strip light, and a nylon tie was used to secure the power cables and protect the solder joints from any jarring movement. Finally, a blob of silicone was applied to insulate the solder points.
The above process was repeated for the aluminum channels, also easily available at any home improvement store.
Below left, a smaller aluminum channel was bolted onto two sides of the terrarium. Right, a view from below showing all the illuminated channels.
Below left is a view from above one of the bars, which was painted black. The lights are on the underside, directed down at the plants. Also, a close-up of the illumination provided by one Flexfire LEDs strip light.
Time for comparison photos – the one on the left shows the terrarium under formerly used 48-watt T5HO fluorescent lights, while the one on the right shows the terrarium under Flexfire LEDs strip lights.
Our customer observed the effects of LED lighting on his prized tillandsia over an entire year, leaving the lights on for 11 hours a day, seven days a week. He reports that the plants are now flourishing, with both excellent growth and reproduction. Compared with earlier use of fluorescent T5 and power compact bulbs, the LED strip lights are more energy-efficient and generate less heat as well.
As he says, “The proof is in the pudding.” Here is a flowering tillandsia grown under Flexfire LEDs strip lights.
Are you inspired to build your own terrarium? Please call or write to us at info@flexfireleds.com and we’d love to help you grow the garden of your dreams.
Choose one of our convenient Flexfire LEDs strip light kits to suit the appropriate brightness, length and color of your LED grow light project:
I’m interested in an led grow light I live in the desert and have recently tried to garden outside but conventional techniques don’t apply out here so I’ve had to move my garden inside and try hydro/aqua techniques I would like to know how to build my own lights and if at all possible how to run them off solar? conservation desert gardening 101, send me info material list, prices, info thank you
Hi Ken, thank you for contacting us. Your project sounds really interesting – one of our lighting specialists will be contacting you via email to assist with this.
To begin with, I dig this project!
I would like to see quite a lot more detailed information, however. Floor area of the terrarium in comparison with the number of each type of LED, for instance. A table or graph indicating a more precise intensity-spread of the various wavelengths that fall in the spectrum of output for the white LED’s would be helpful. Also, can varying operating temperatures effect the answer to the previous question? Can the RGB strips, while clearly capable of producing infinite color combinations, be adjusted to effectively produce white light with the red, green, and blue all switch on simultaneously?
I intend to use your 3 foot High CRI Series Ultrabright™ Strip Light Kit and maybe the 3 Foot RGB Kit- Double Density LED Strip Light to light orchids I keep in a converted aquarium. These are literally the planet’s most finicky plants, so answers to my aforementioned questions can really cut down on the guesswork/experimentation; which also means better bloomage, faster. Many people grow bromeliads like what you see in this project along side of orchids, so I’m assuming they should work very well for my plants – I want to tweak, however, and really have an optimal spectrum of output happening in my vivarium.
Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
Hello and thank you for your interest! We’d love to discuss this project with you – an installation of this type obviously merits some deeper discussion to ensure we get it right. Will you please send an email to info@flexfireleds.com with your phone number and the best time to call (include time zone)? Alternatively, you can visit our website at http://www.flexfireleds.com and pull up a live chat window, and we can help you that way.
Hello,
I have been looking into using LEDs as grow lights and its great to see that it is working well for you. Can you please give me more detail on what LEDs you used.
Thanks
Hi Chris, this particular project used a combination of 12v and 24v UltraBright strip lights from Flexfire LEDs. It’s important to note that each LED grow light installation is different, with unique requirements for lighting intensity and color temperature among many other factors. We’re happy to discuss your project with you as soon as you’re ready!
Hello I am interested in LED grow lights that are able to produce different spectrums of light. I am very interested in speaking with one of your representative/technicians. Thank you
i am building an enclosed terrarium and need lighting of very low heat. I am also looking for just the right spectrum of light that promotes growth at a slow rate. What do you suggest please…thank you!!!
Hi Andrew, thank you for contacting us. We’d love to hear more about your project, please visit our website and pull up a live chat window or send an email to info@flexfireleds.com so we can learn more about your specific project needs and lend our help