DIY LED lighting recommendations

JOKER · Jul 3, 2013

I have been looking at the diy kits for led, and there are so many it is hard to choose. Anyone used the rapid led? I like the look of them.

meintn · Jul 3, 2013

I used AC RC. Shipping takes longer because it has to clear customs but it was the best bang for the buck I found.
AC-RC Hobby

jmann124 · Jul 3, 2013

Rapid has great customer service. I bought a pwm controller from them.

thereeferdude · Jul 3, 2013

I used LEDgroupbuy, RapidLED, and ReefLEDlights for my DIY project. I was pleased with all of them. The reason I didn't just use one was you can catch deals on components from the different vendors that justify the the shipping charges.

Kyle Hurt
Via the R2R Forum iOS app

saratj1 · Jul 3, 2013

I would look into buying a heatsink from rapid led, then you get get your emitters and power supplies from where ever and still get the nice clean look of a rapid led kit. Rapid has nice scratch and dent heasinks for reasonable prices and they are black anodized, pre drilled, and a variety of sizes. Then get some eBay emitters and power supplies.

thereeferdude · Jul 3, 2013

I wouldn't skimp on emitters. These are the most important component of your build and will be used to keep you tank (hopefully) thriving for years to come. Find the best deal on the best (most efficient) LEDs your budget allows. Be sure to get controllable ballasts so you have full control over the spectral mix and intensity. Don't go cheap on the most important component of your reef setup. An LED rig will pay for itself quickly in bulb changes alone, even if you go all out on components.

Kyle Hurt
Via the R2R Forum iOS app

thereeferdude · Jul 3, 2013

I never found a kit that met my vision of what my corals needed (I am hard to please!). Don't worry about finding the perfect kit- buy the components you want and DIY away!

Kyle Hurt
Via the R2R Forum iOS app

p woodard · Jul 3, 2013

This is who a lot of us have used
Aquarium DIY Dimmable LED Kits with optics

Joker79 · Jul 3, 2013

Following

thereeferdude · Jul 3, 2013

Read this article before building anything:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/10/aafeature

Kyle Hurt
Via the R2R Forum iOS app

JOKER · Jul 4, 2013

Very good read...

thereeferdude said:
Read this article before building anything:
Feature Article: Light in the Reef Aquaria ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Kyle Hurt
Via the R2R Forum iOS app 

JOKER · Jul 4, 2013

I spoke with rapid led today and they seem to have very good customer service. I am planning to use this lighting on the 260 when I get it built (which I hope to be soon). I will be ordering stuff soon hopefully and will keep updated. As for controller think I will go apex and was wondering about controlling 2 tanks from same controller. Can it be done wirelessly? May upgrade lights on the cube while doing this too.

Joker79 · Jul 22, 2013

JOKER · Jul 22, 2013

Looks like i will be going with rapid led. They have a retrofit kit with everything that saves some $$$$ from buying seperate and the customer service is great!!

Joker79 · Jul 22, 2013

Which one over what tank size?

JOKER · Jul 23, 2013

Im going with the 180 kit, 2 of the lights will be going over a 75 gallon for now until I get ready to put the 260 up. Was thinking of putting the other over the 40 cube just to see if got more growth than the 2 kessil a150. Will have to add another heat sink for coverage on the 260 since it is 84" 24". Will have 120 led total