LED DIY Ideas for 55 Gallon

[5Bucks]

Looking for ideas on LED DIY setup for my 55 gallon. Hoping to get input from someone that has a system on similar tank that they are happy with. So many possibilities and opinions when it comes to LED. The more I research, the more confused I become. I currently have a variety of LPS and a bubble tip anemone all of which are doing well. I'd like to get into SPS. My tank has been up and stable for a year with T5's. I'm due (maybe overdue) to replace the bulbs. Rather than drop $80 on those I'm ready to go LED with a DIY budget of $350 - $550. I definitely want dimmable with smooth ramping and control of 3-5 color channels. At the moment I'm considering 3 options:

1. Dual Lumia 5.2 from LED Group Buy $530
2. Dual Aroura pucks from Rapid LED $420
3. Cree 36 ultra-premium kit from Rapid LED $310

For each of those options I'd go with the LDD drivers and a storm controller. Costs above reflect entire kits including Storm controller, power supplies, drivers, heat sinks, fans, hardware etc. before tax/shipping.

I'd like to mount everything in an existing hood which has 7" clearance above the waterline. One concern is with the heatsinks/fans my LED's will sit maybe 3" above the water. I'm not sure if that's enough clearance. I could possibly modify the hood to get a few more inches. I'll have to do some mods to it anyway for fan exhaust. At that height, I'd use no optics on the puck options and widest available on the 36 individual LED option.

I guess a 4th option is one of the more "cost-effective" non-DIY options from Reef Radiance. Maybe 2 of the DM-165M kits for $358.

I'd love to hear opinions. Especially from those who have used one of the top 3 options on a similar size tank.

 

[Simply__J]

is your 55 gal of the 48 x 13 x 21 variety? Any luck with this? Photos Maybe? I'm on the same quest and I'm really considering buying 2 x Artic T247's

 

[5Bucks]

Yes, that's the size of my 55G. I took a look at the T247. Was not familiar with them. The Oceanrevive website was a little dissapointing. No info on the type of LEDs (Cree? etc) and very little on the functionality of the lights. I'm not sure they're what I'm looking for. I want a highly controllable light. I see the T247 has built in timers but no intensity ramping. Also, whatever I do will be in a hood. I don't like the look of hanging stuff from a ceiling. It would be difficult for me to get at the controls for those under the hood. Two of the T247's would be around same cost of the DIY option outlined below.

At this point I'm leaning towards the 36 Ultra Premium DIY kit from RapidLED: 36 Ultra Premium LED DIY Kit with Dimmable Drivers - Rapid LED

It's $245 with only heatsinks left to purchase. For another $70 or so I can add the Storm controller with fully programmable automatic smooth ramping. It has 3 independent channels. I think a fourth can be added with another driver for around $10 that will fit into the driver board it comes with. With that kit I might add some additional lamps beyond the 36 it comes with. Not certain that 36 will be enough for full coverage and I may want some additional colors. If I go that route I may have to upgrade the power supply but I'm not certain on that. As the lights will be going into my existing hood which is 6-7" above water I'll probably go with the widest optics they have or none at all.

No photos of anything light related, but here's one of clowns in my bubble tip under existing T5's:

 

[BlueZreef]

Why not save yourself the trouble of all that and buy an IT2080? Most vendors will let you do custom layouts also (if not swapping leds is easy and cheap).

 

[5Bucks]

I actually rather like DIYing and the 2080 is $450 so about $100 more than my DIY project. Also, no idea how many controllable channels on the 2080 or specific details on function. At 36" might be a little short in coverage on a 48" long tank. It would be going into an enclosed hood so accessing controls would be a ***** - I read in a post on their website that the remote is rather useless. No details on the LED manufacturer on the website which leads me to believe they are of lesser quality.

I like that a DIY will be easy to modify down the road both in the lamp used, number of them and type of controller.““

 

[ReefLEDLights]

I would go with two 12"x 8.46" Heatsinks with 25-35 LEDs each

-12 Cree XT-E Cool White Binned at 7.5K
-15 Cree XT-E Royal Blue
-6 Cree XP-E2 Blue
-6 Semi UV

Drive this with the Meanwell LDD Driver with the Coralux Board and Storm Controller.

This combination will be much more efficient than the dimmable imports at about the same cost.

At any time you can add or swap out LEDs if you use the BJB solderless connectors.

Bill

 

[Moonlightreef]

My tank is same size and demotions . I just got my two OR T247 a few days ago . I witches from T5s to this so far im loving it and i only paid $320 for two . All i can say is this light are very bright .

 

[ReefLEDLights]

My tank is same size and demotions . I just got my two OR T247 a few days ago . I witches from T5s to this so far im loving it and i only paid $320 for two . All i can say is this light are very bright .

Inexpensive Imports do work but in my experience dont last long.

I'm always getting a call for a driver replacement with no information on drive current or Forward Voltage.

If you DIY you can easily replace a driver and by using 5 watt Cree LEDs your output can be as much as twice the output of generic bridgelux knockoffs. The Imports that claim Cree LEDs may not bin their LEDs for Brightness so you may see less efficiency.

Most with a 55 gal quickly upgrade to a 90 gal. Choose a lighting option that is flexible to do both.

Also the Storm Controller simply rocks we find it more than capable.

Bill