Jump to content

led build


Budman

Recommended Posts

looking at ordering this led build from rapid led tellme what you think.. if anyone has anything similar I would like to be able to see them.

this is going on a 125 gal mixed reef. this is my first led

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am still up in the air if this is enough leds for my reef. I am old school with vho, and 250 watt halide. not likeing the cost of changing bulbs. been reefin for about 20 years. I only have a couple of sps mostly lps and softies.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just a little opinion here.....if you can make a couple of swaps....

 

Skip the green and replace with additional red. That will give you 2 reds per bank and the green only grows algae....

 

Do they have 120d lenses available? either convex or standard..

 

You'll also need to decide what style of dimming you want to do so that you can determine which driver to go with. The most common and easiest to work with is the 0-10v(version D). The determining factor in this will be the type of controller you want to use to control the dimming.

 

You don't want to run the LEDs at the full voltage. Run them a little short and you will see increased stability and length of life.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am sure I can make swaps with different colors and I will look into optics this was with 60 and I think 80 or more might be better will check on 120.. I will have these 8 inches or more off the water. as far as dimming there is the version d it looks to be the easiest and cheapest I am sure I will have lots of questions from those of you with led experience.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i like the idea of the diy plus I can add to later if needed. plus this is over a 125 gal and I am sure I would have more cost in a factory fixture. I have looked at a lot of the already built fixtures and would need 3 of most of them. this build is at@ $800 with the fans.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Understood. I'm penetrating 30 inches of water and the Atlantik fit the bill and came out cheaper. It's got 78 LEDs per fixture and Meanwell drivers so I did cost comparisons and wanted my tank to have coverage for something equivalent of a 400 watt MH.

 

From this link I did some comparisons for ReefLEDs recommendations based on sq inches for my tanks coverage. Below is something similar I did for footprint of a 125:

 

 

1,296 sq in for a 125 gallon

 

864 sq in for 36X26 area

 

Reef LED Lights recommends 48-60 LEDs over 864 sq inches so that's one LED to every 14.4-18 sq inches.

 

With those calculations, take 1,296 and divide by that ratio and it comes out to 72-90 LEDs.

 

That all being said...The 72-90 LEDs would be blues/whites as they are what's putting out the PAR and from your outline you have 57 Blues/Whites. I'd consider adding some more so you have something a little more powerful. Just my thought on the subject, take it like a grain of salt :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IME most of these kits are good bit the recommended tank sizes are a little bit of a stretch. I would guess that's 50%-65% of what you'll eventually want on the tank.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the info on how many leds I need I may just add 12 more blue white. these heat sinks will hold 36 per. I will always be able to add to it as I get higher light needs. It is so much different from what I have always done with older light systems and just went for total wattage. This is probably the biggest change in reef tanks. I like the cost savings and headachs of not changing bulbs yearly. the savings of not having to run 1000 plus watts on my tank, and the added heat they cause. which is one of the biggest reasons I am doing this. My tank gets really stressed from heat in the summer with no chiller.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the info on how many leds I need I may just add 12 more blue white. these heat sinks will hold 36 per. I will always be able to add to it as I get higher light needs. It is so much different from what I have always done with older light systems and just went for total wattage. This is probably the biggest change in reef tanks. I like the cost savings and headachs of not changing bulbs yearly. the savings of not having to run 1000 plus watts on my tank, and the added heat they cause. which is one of the biggest reasons I am doing this. My tank gets really stressed from heat in the summer with no chiller.

 

Many of us have the same reasons! On my 600 I'd probably run about 3.2 kW of MHs and supplemental T5s. I'll be able to light an 8'X4' footprint for right around 1 KW! No chiller, and no bulb replacements every 6-9 months!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

this is the setup I am going to build I will keep u guys posted and start a build thread

Iwill be using the d drivers

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ill keep an eye on this thread as well, I'm about to start a similar project fir a 90 I'm picking up next week. I've got 72 leds from rapid led already as well as 6 meanwell 60-48d drivers and the 2 channel dimming kit. I need yo decide on a heatsink and mounting style...not sure if ill do a canopy and mount them however or hang from the ceiling. JR lives right by me and has an excellent setup so I'm sure ill have to bribe him somehow for some assistance. If you need any extra whites I may have a couple...I haven't planned the exact configuration just yet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah its serious cash but one of the most important pieces. I like the flexibility, not cementing them down makes for easy change out or future upgrades. I was going to get a blank and then just drill/tap myself but this is so much easier. I'm only dealing with 36" though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...