mistergreen

I need multiple LED lights and found using LED strip a cheaper alternative. So, I'm mounting the strip in an aluminum channel (C shape)... It creates a pretty direct/narrow beam. I'd like to bend the channels out a bit so the beam isn't so narrow but have no idea how. It's tough.

If I can't bend the channel, I'll mount the strip on the back of the channel but I'm sure the light will flood, the opposite problem.

hoppycalif

I have been mounting the LED strips on the outside of the channel, and it has worked very well. I have kept the light fixture right on top of the tank, so there is very little lost light. I haven't tried using very small channels, with just one strip of LEDs inside the channel, but that should work even better. The reason I didn't try it was the difficulty of finding cheap aluminum channel in that size, about 1/2 inch channel. My source of inexpensive channels was a store that sells surplus metal, and they never had any channels that small.

mistergreen

Looking at fresh eyes today. The beam isn't too bad for 1 strip.
I found these channels at lowes.
I got 16 feet length, 3/4" width for $26.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Steelworks-...hannel/3058185

The light strip I got gets very warm. Good thing I mounted it on metal.