Something more like this...

Go with the second idea, it is safer.

 

What kind of transistor should I go with? As in Amperage and Voltage.

 

Lightweight, almost anything will do. I tend to use 2N2222A or PN2222A (the latter is a plastic case version of the first).

 

I have one more question...how should I determine what to use for the unlabeled resistor?

 

I wired up the circuit on a bread board but I'm having some difficulties...the LED lights fine but the pot and the CDS has no effect on it what so ever...I have attached a picture of the bread board and I would greatly appreciate it if you could look over it and see what I may have done wrong. Thanks.

 

Does the led light when you short E-C?
If yes, does it light when you disconenct the potentiometer, and/or short the CDS?

With so few parts it can´t be that hard to find the fault.

 

Does the led light when you short E-C?

Yes.

If yes, does it light when you disconenct the potentiometer, and/or short the CDS?

Yes and Yes.

EDIT** The potentiometer does effect the LED but only when I turn the resistance way down...I don't have a multimeter on hand so I can't tell you at exactly what resistance this occurs.

 

Your transistor does not work properly because you connected its pins backwards.

 

haha...yep I figured that out last night...I misread the data sheet

 

if LED's in series if one of them blows, it will short right? and if it shorts what are the consequences ( a short in a series of LED's )

 

cjdelphi...I really have no idea...haha..I'm pretty new to this stuff

Just out of curiosity...could I use phototransistors as opposed to photo cells?

 

I used a Light Diode Resistor to do this type of circuit before, they're cheaper too but the photo transistor is faster and more responsive and obviously they can source current too without relying on a separate transistor the LDR would need (but i think the max rating is far below what you require you'd still need a meaty transistor to do the job).

 

I have never seen a shorted LED because I never fry them with too much current.
If the current is correct then LEDs simply gradually dim. Then in about 10 years (continuously lighted) replace them.

 

if LED's in series if one of them blows, it will short right? and if it shorts what are the consequences ( a short in a series of LED's )

Generally LEDs do not short, I have never seen it happen. They do open up however.