switching to LED's

youngtimothy · Oct 26, 2011

LED's for my 100

I'm thinking of going to led's on my 48x18x26 100 gallon, I have 6 T-5's on ice cap ballast now growing SPS and LPS. if I do a DIY with cree led's how many, what color, what lenses and how many and what kind of dim able drivers do I need?

I already have a heatsink that is 42"x7" my tank has a canopy so the light will be 6" off the water. I also have a reefkeeper lite 3 controller.

I'm also thinking about the new eco-tech LED's

thanks for the imput!

jabo · Oct 26, 2011

Check out the AI Sols they are amazing. I just bought the Sol Nano for my new nano tank and I could not be happier. A buddy has 3 of the larger models on a 120 and they rock!! Run about $400 each and the controller is $79.

dorgan · Oct 26, 2011

Check out the new dimmable evolutions

ReefLEDLights · Oct 26, 2011

youngtimothy said:
LED's for my 100

I'm thinking of going to led's on my 48x18x26 100 gallon, I have 6 T-5's on ice cap ballast now growing SPS and LPS. if I do a DIY with cree led's how many, what color, what lenses and how many and what kind of dim able drivers do I need?

I already have a heatsink that is 42"x7" my tank has a canopy so the light will be 6" off the water. I also have a reefkeeper lite 3 controller.

I'm also thinking about the new eco-tech LED's

thanks for the imput!

This link may help LED My TANK! ReefLEDLights | LED Aquarium Lighting ReefLEDLights | LED Aquarium Lighting

If you go DIY you have complete control on what type of light you will have. The Inventronics class of drivers works best with the reefkeeper RKM but most eventually upgrade to an Apex or Profilux as the RKM can only handle a couple drivers.

If your confident soldering thats your most cost effective option. If you have any questions on soldering go the solderless route. There are many options from numerous vendors.

With the fixture only 6" off the water you might want to skip the optics. Also you will need to protect the LEDs from salt spray as that will damage the LEDs

Both the Eco Tech Radion and AI are very nice but more expensive than the DIY options.

If you do go the factory route do your homework and avoid the cheap Chinese Clones.

Bill

bigronbo · Oct 27, 2011

i want RGBY dimmable on all 4 colors seperatly know of any sold in the US?

FiReBReTHa · Oct 27, 2011

bigronbo said:
i want RGBY dimmable on all 4 colors seperatly know of any sold in the US?

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Motion-80212-8-Rotating-Disco/dp/B000FJTV5G

good for parties, not for reefs.

Kbra · Oct 27, 2011

dorgan said:
Check out the new dimmable evolutions

Ton of wasted led power in these. IMHO

youngtimothy · Oct 27, 2011

ReefLEDLights said:
This link may help LED My TANK! ReefLEDLights | LED Aquarium Lighting ReefLEDLights | LED Aquarium Lighting

If you go DIY you have complete control on what type of light you will have. The Inventronics class of drivers works best with the reefkeeper RKM but most eventually upgrade to an Apex or Profilux as the RKM can only handle a couple drivers.

If your confident soldering thats your most cost effective option. If you have any questions on soldering go the solderless route. There are many options from numerous vendors.

With the fixture only 6" off the water you might want to skip the optics. Also you will need to protect the LEDs from salt spray as that will damage the LEDs

Both the Eco Tech Radion and AI are very nice but more expensive than the DIY options.

If you do go the factory route do your homework and avoid the cheap Chinese Clones.

Bill

thanks bill, I have no problem soldering or building my own fixture for that matter. how high off the water do you suggest? how many led's would I need for my size tank?

youngtimothy · Oct 27, 2011

youngtimothy said:
thanks bill, I have no problem soldering or building my own fixture for that matter. how high off the water do you suggest? how many led's would I need for my size tank?

I guess I should have looked at the link!!!! thanks great link!

sreefer · Oct 27, 2011

Kbra said:
Ton of wasted led power in these. IMHO

Agreed. Apollo LED rocks.

GR808 · Oct 28, 2011

My DIY leds from Bill are 4" off the waters surface. A good few coats of LED seal takes care of the salt and water intrusion..

KJAG · Oct 28, 2011

I used LED Seal on my last build and truly wish I hadnt. The thick, sticky coating is permanent, seemed to collect dust easier and was hard to clean. A splashguard is alot more convenient and looks better imo