Need help designing new DIY LEDs for my 60 gal cube.

Jdoenumber2 · Oct 2, 2011

I will be going for dimmable less the i can control my apex. Tank spec is 60 cube 24x24x24. Mixed reef. I am looking for a very full spectrum look. Looking for ideas on what led combos i should try? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Assume that LEDs was were you were going rather than Less?

revhtree · Oct 3, 2011

LED gurus unite! Bring on the advice!

pmrossetti · Oct 3, 2011

why not just imitate the Radion. it's as full as it gets.

use a 36 dimmable kit and add the extra colors or do alla carte. the MW 48D driver is Apex ok,i think.

Jdoenumber2 · Oct 3, 2011

Like the idea of mimicking the radion. Wanna help me develop a parts list? This would be a nice project for other people to try as well. Im gonna start researching.

ReefLEDLights · Oct 4, 2011

We posted some information here,
LED My TANK! ReefLEDLights | LED Aquarium Lighting ReefLEDLights | LED Aquarium Lighting

to start to get you going on your project.

I would recommend an 18" x 8.46 heatsink for your project.

pmrossetti · Oct 4, 2011

here are the leds used. they run the XPGs at 5 watts so you may want to use a few more than 8.
2 - 17 led arrays on a 12" fixture.

8x Cree XP-G CW 5w each
8x Cree XP-E BLUE 3w each
10x Cree XP-E ROYAL BLUE 3w each
4x Cree XP-E GREEN 3w each
4x Osram Oslon SSL Hyper Red 3w each

pmrossetti · Oct 4, 2011

reefledlights are great folks, answering all my questions. in good hands there.

CJO · Oct 4, 2011

pmrossetti said:
here are the leds used. they run the XPGs at 5 watts so you may want to use a few more than 8.
2 - 17 led arrays on a 12" fixture.

8x Cree XP-G CW 5w each
8x Cree XP-E BLUE 3w each
10x Cree XP-E ROYAL BLUE 3w each
4x Cree XP-E GREEN 3w each
4x Osram Oslon SSL Hyper Red 3w each

I like the flexibility of what they offer, but you would have to have a separate driver for each color to be able to mix them. Personaly, I'd stick with a mixture of cool whites and neutral whites on one driver and a mixture of royal blues and a couple of blues on a separate driver. The Meanwells have been the go-to driver for a while.

CJ

pmrossetti · Oct 4, 2011

wouldn't need a driver for each , just 3 mw as usual and pick which colors on each, no? like whites, red/green, blue.

wld1783 · Oct 4, 2011

Here is a mix I would consider

10 XP-G Cool White 7.5K
15 XP-E Royal Blue
6 XP-E Blue
4 XR-C Red

Personally I'm not a fan of using warm whites. Below 30 meters this spectrum non-existent and below 10 meters is severely limited. Over use of the warm white or a warmer cool white simply does not look good. They make your tank look yellow.

The warmer spectrum may promote the growth of nuisance algae. This said the chlorophyll A&B in the zooxanthella algae are receptive to 450nm and 660nm.

If you incorporate a few reds and warmer cool whites into a High Noon effect you limit the nuisance algae and still provide the best spectrum for growth. I have my High Noon on for only 4 hours with a 120 minute ramp up and ramp down.

This have given me great growth.

Bill

Jdoenumber2 · Oct 4, 2011

How much will that cost me in a kit? I want dimmable drivers that will interface with my apex. Will that fully illuminate my 60 cube? I do spa at top and zoos and palys everywhere else. How would you arrange the leds? What kind of optics would you use? If i get this project going i will go with your company. Any other suggestions?

Thank you,

Jason

turfster26 · Oct 4, 2011

Tagging along....need to light a new 60gl Cube myself. Strongly considering ReefLED lights too or a plug-n-play Radion???

wld1783 · Oct 5, 2011

Jdoenumber2 said:
How much will that cost me in a kit? I want dimmable drivers that will interface with my apex. Will that fully illuminate my 60 cube? I do spa at top and zoos and palys everywhere else. How would you arrange the leds? What kind of optics would you use? If i get this project going i will go with your company. Any other suggestions?

Thank you,

Jason

Jason

Both the Inventronics and Mean Well 60-48D will work with an APEX, the Mean Well will need to be adjusted.

Carclo optics are the best and greatly improve the efficiency of the LED. If you have any questions about soldering go the solderless route.

My recommendation would be the equivalent to a 250 watt MH based on our direct PAR measurements.

Bill

Jdoenumber2 · Oct 11, 2011

Would this light my tank nice and bright even with out the high noon on? When you say ramp up and down is that the total 4 hours i assume? If i were to put it on the heat sink you recommend and use fans for cooling how much will this cost from you? I can drill the heat sink my self.

wld1783 said:
Here is a mix I would consider

10 XP-G Cool White 7.5K
15 XP-E Royal Blue
6 XP-E Blue
4 XR-C Red

Personally I'm not a fan of using warm whites. Below 30 meters this spectrum non-existent and below 10 meters is severely limited. Over use of the warm white or a warmer cool white simply does not look good. They make your tank look yellow.

The warmer spectrum may promote the growth of nuisance algae. This said the chlorophyll A&B in the zooxanthella algae are receptive to 450nm and 660nm.

If you incorporate a few reds and warmer cool whites into a High Noon effect you limit the nuisance algae and still provide the best spectrum for growth. I have my High Noon on for only 4 hours with a 120 minute ramp up and ramp down.

This have given me great growth.

Bill