So I just finished setting up a frag tank, and I'm looking at building the lighting. I would buy an already made system, but as you know they are expensive. I also enjoy tinkering 
. Anyways, the frag tank (well, frag bin) is 36x24x8''. I only have about 10'' above the tank. There's a range of corals in the system (zoas, acans, acros, Ricordea, montis, Blue cloves, etc.), so I'd like to design something adjustable to make it easier to have different areas for different coral/light needs.
So on to my idea.
I was originally going to use this heatsink, however after exchange rate and shipping to Canada, the price was getting a little high. Instead, the plan is to use (2x)3''x1.5'' aluminum U-channels joined together on the ends with 1''x1.5'' aluminum L-angle. I may or may not add a "splash guard"/ piece of acrylic held on with bolts, though the tank will have a glass top so this wouldn't be necessary. On top of the channel (sitting inside the "U") will be case fans to add a little extra cooling. Two of these will be above the tank as such:
I'm hoping to have 4 adjustable channels; Blue, white, violet, and royal blue. I'll also likely add a switch for the fans. I realize 4 separate channels is probably overkill, but I've never made anything easy for myself haha.
So on to my questions.
1. Based on this thread, the most important colours are royal blue(450-455nm), violet(400-440nm), blue(465-485nm), and neutral white(4000K-5500K), in that order with the white mostly being for us. Using those 4 colours, I came up with a couple different arrays:
pictures were done in sketchup, so sorry for the non-straight lines
What are your opinions on these? Should I move the whites over and add another bulb like this?
2. Would 1W LEDs be enough? Should I opt for 5W since they'll be dimmable?
3. Are lenses necessary? There isn't much space above the bin, so I would think that lenses may be helpful here... I had thought about using a diffuser for the splash guard which would also help. If I went with lenses, what angle would you recommend?
. Anyways, the frag tank (well, frag bin) is 36x24x8''. I only have about 10'' above the tank. There's a range of corals in the system (zoas, acans, acros, Ricordea, montis, Blue cloves, etc.), so I'd like to design something adjustable to make it easier to have different areas for different coral/light needs.So on to my idea.
I was originally going to use this heatsink, however after exchange rate and shipping to Canada, the price was getting a little high. Instead, the plan is to use (2x)3''x1.5'' aluminum U-channels joined together on the ends with 1''x1.5'' aluminum L-angle. I may or may not add a "splash guard"/ piece of acrylic held on with bolts, though the tank will have a glass top so this wouldn't be necessary. On top of the channel (sitting inside the "U") will be case fans to add a little extra cooling. Two of these will be above the tank as such:
I'm hoping to have 4 adjustable channels; Blue, white, violet, and royal blue. I'll also likely add a switch for the fans. I realize 4 separate channels is probably overkill, but I've never made anything easy for myself haha.
So on to my questions.
1. Based on this thread, the most important colours are royal blue(450-455nm), violet(400-440nm), blue(465-485nm), and neutral white(4000K-5500K), in that order with the white mostly being for us. Using those 4 colours, I came up with a couple different arrays:
pictures were done in sketchup, so sorry for the non-straight lines
What are your opinions on these? Should I move the whites over and add another bulb like this?
2. Would 1W LEDs be enough? Should I opt for 5W since they'll be dimmable?
3. Are lenses necessary? There isn't much space above the bin, so I would think that lenses may be helpful here... I had thought about using a diffuser for the splash guard which would also help. If I went with lenses, what angle would you recommend?
