Hey guys I'm looking to make my own LED lighting and I was wondering if anyone has had experience with creating a setup? Its going to be going over my 7.5g nano so im just looking for any information that might be helpful!

My experience is limited but I have made a few for small tanks (fish growout).
There are some very bright LEDs on the market, but DO Your Homework or you will burn out a lot of bulbs.
There are single LEDs with a 20,000 mcd output and there are Luxeon 3 Watt bulbs that are BRIGHT! Ebay is loaded with companies advertising these. Here is one link to a group that has been around for awhile.
http://cgi.ebay.com/100-x-5mm-White-LED-27000-mcd-SHIPS-SAME-DAY-FROM-NYC_W0QQitemZ260496835911QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item3ca6d24547#ht_892wt_927
The Luxeon while is a combo of RGB and can give quite a wide spectrum. The White is often a yellow emitter painted over with a white phosphor.
There are some useful calculation tools out there as well. use them!
illumination unit conversion (http://www.unitconversion.org/unit_converter/illumination-ex.html)
A wealth of linear LED info (http://led.linear1.org/)
The LM 317 is a controllable voltage regulator and can be used as a current regulator as well. If you go with a complete DIY, the regulation of current and voltage will both be necessary to optimize output without burning the LEDs.
There are circuit boards available that can help you in putting a LED project together, the the LED source above for some examples of this.
Hope this gives you a start.
John

Hey thanks alot I will definitely dive into this information. Thank you so much I really appreciate it :D

Anyone ever seen this http://www.aquariumled.com/ ?

I built one and frankly you will end up better buying a fixture unless you have some mad skills...

If you REALLY want to DIY it then cruise the lighting section at nano-reef.com. There are a ton of builds over there. I am in the process of putting together a fixture as well, but I cant really offer a whole lot of help. Aside from that, the nano-tuners led section is pretty awesome IMO.

I am currently building a LED setup. I will be posting it probably within a week. I've have read many threads at nanoreef that was mentioned above. Great starting place.

I believe white is actually blue/UV with a phosphor layer. but thats neither here nor there, cree is the shiznit, got something in the email about them putting out a new 160l/watt LED, that is ridiculous and will change the game.

im debating on doing a diy of CREE's onto the aquapod. heres a good sight i MIGHT be ordering my kits from
http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-DIY-Retrofit-Kits/Categories


Good prices and everything you need but the heatsink and a power cord

Yea after doing a ton of research on the awesome DIY LED guide at nano reef i think I will also do a CREE lighting system using http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-38/06-Premium-LED-Do-dsh-It-dsh-Yourself/Detail that diy kit but I will need to buy one more of each color.

Any updates on your build?

I'm also starting an LED build for a biocube 8. I have ordered some parts and still need to order the rest. I will start my diy thread once I get started!