180 gallon LED lighting suggestions

[Jorgens]

Well I need a new fixture. My old Odyssea MH/CF needs updating and I'd rather stick it into a new LED fixture. (And my house didn't burn down over the last 7 years!!!) Most fixtures seem to be 24" and I'm just not a fan of the way it looks like 3 spotlights are hitting the tank. I've ready some great diy to spread out the led over the entire tank and am leaning on this approach. Just wondering how many and of what color leds I should use. Looks like 96x3w leds and I'll fab my own aluminum heat sink. I would like to be able to control/program for dawn/dusk/moon effects as well. I think I've read 50+ threads in the last to days and am still scratching my head as to how many. I'm not against brand name fixtures. However, nobody seems to make a 60-72" single fixture. I would be hanging this about 10-20" above waterleve if possible and is in a fish room not a canopy so not worried about venting. Appreciate all ideas....

 

[Zobp]

I have a 180 as well, I would recommend going with 120 LEDS. I did a custom build with aquastyle LEDS and I am very satisfied.

Highly recommend the use of both UV LEDs into your build as well, I am getting some amazing color coming from my green corals and an acro plana that had browned and is also coloring up as well.

 

[Jorgens]

10 drivers with 12 on each i assume? Appreciate the color advice...how many of each you running? what would you change? have any reds?

 

[Zobp]

Using actually only 2 drivers MeanWell CLG-150-48B, wired in parallel. One controlling whites and the other blue/uv.

30 6500k
30 4500k
40 RB
10 UV
10 420nm

No reds, had them on my last cree LED system, saw no coral coloration improvement IME.

I would only potentially run another 12-24 of the UV to get a better spread on my tank but overall I am very happy with the arrangement, and the coral coloration thus far.

 

[hmmalkin]

This maybe a good option for you
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2153456

 

[marty9876]

Using actually only 2 drivers MeanWell CLG-150-48B, wired in parallel. One controlling whites and the other blue/uv.

30 6500k
30 4500k
40 RB
10 UV
10 420nm

No reds, had them on my last cree LED system, saw no coral coloration improvement IME.

I would only potentially run another 12-24 of the UV to get a better spread on my tank but overall I am very happy with the arrangement, and the coral coloration thus far.

Can I ask what the ballpark expense of this was? Looking to light a 180g myself, not sure which way to go.

 

[Zobp]

$319 for the 120 LED kit from Aqua style online, had to pay addtional for the UV and Ray subtracted the blues cost.

Paid about $400 for LEDs with shipping, built with C Channel strips from Home Depot for About $30-$40

I would highly recommend using several fans, both the drivers and the C channels got silly hot fast.

C channels are great for organizing, looks, and being light but they don't disapate heat like a standard heat sink would. So the cost savings is muted on the heatsink because you have to invest heavily on fans. In total I have 6 on the channels and 3 on the drivers themselves.

 

[marty9876]

Thanks Zobp, DIY LED or DIY T5 for me... Hummm......:hmm6: