Led lighting again...

Wildisme

Wildisme

Active member
Ok so I know I've read a few posts on here about DIY LED lighting.

I want to swap my 46bow to LEDs. I'm only looking to spend $250 or so on it. As I can swap to MH for cheaper then that.

I do want to sustain SPS and my tank is 19" deep.

Is this possible? I am pretty good with electronics and ain't afraid to solder.

If it is possible, what all do I need to make a decent light with a sun rise sun set idea. I can run the LEDs on 2 separate timers if needed as I'm sure a programmable feature will be out of my price range.

So board, LEDs, heatsink, power module, plug, dimmer switch?
 
Wildisme said:
Is this possible? I am pretty good with electronics and ain't afraid to solder.

It is definitely possible and with your electronic background is too easy almost.

If it is possible, what all do I need to make a decent light with a sun rise sun set idea. I can run the LEDs on 2 separate timers if needed as I'm sure a programmable feature will be out of my price range.

This is difficult and can cost a lot since you will need a controller to achieve this rise/set effect. Something like and RKL, RKE, or APEX (i have one and am working to get my LEDs to rise/set too). Maybe you could rig up and program an arduno (i think thats how its spelled) setup which i heard isnt too much money but needs to be coded.

So board, LEDs, heatsink, power module, plug, dimmer switch?

Thats pretty much the basics unless you want to include the little things like thermal paste, wiring, etc.
Click to expand...

Good luck! Wiz.
 
See here is one thing I don't get. 24x3w LEDs mean in getting 72w of led power on a DIY Fixture. With heat sink, controller, fans, power supplies, plugs, lens, plus all my time. This costs me $320

Or I can get pre built 42x1w fixture for $120 and just run 2 fixtures.

Now I am at 84w, nice manufactured fixture. Vs 72w DIY heatsink fixture for $80 less. Gain 12w but lose the dimming feature for only $240.

But I've heard that 1w PAR numbers arnt good. Is there really a noticeable difference when u compare 1x3w vs 3x1w at 20"?
 
1w LEDs aren't used very often and are often Chinese made. They don't give the par or near the lumins. Talk to Grazer for a housing.. check out rapidled.com, ledgroupbuy.com, reefledlights.com, and ledsupply.com. they are all comperable in pricing. Spend the money once. You will be paid back in a year in electricity alone over a MH fixture. You don't need to at actinic lighting and worry about it overheating or crazy evaporation.

Do you have a reef controller? You may want to consider one. Some have LED controllers built in. If not check out the typhon controller(boodtled.com). Cheap! If your worried about how it looks; then you need to weigh the difference between the expensive all in ones like the radions or a DIY.

My 15 long will have 24leds with optics and a controller to do the sunrise/sunset option. Spent a little over $350.

Do you want full spectrum? Red, teal, green, and uv. U can add these to a DIY as well. Although these colors are not mandatory. These wavelengths will bring out more color in your coral and quicken your growth rate.
 
I've stumbled upon ecoxotic pendants. They have it all, including reds, and can be installed in track lighting, so they're my next investment.
 
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