2Tall 185g - Build

[bugs713]

Got the 4 modules glued and wired, still need to glue on the optics which I will do after all is finished. I still have to work out a lot of things with this build, but have a good idea how it will all come together.

Will be mounting the 7 drivers in a fan cooled utility box with one 12' umbilical running to the modules. The four modules will be mounted to a swinging TV wall mount, which I will modify with 1" square tubing. This will allow left/right and I hope up/down adjustment of the complete fixture.

LED Count
Cool White - 18
Neutral White: 6
Royal Blue - 24
Blue - 12
Ultra Violet - 8
Red/Orange - 4


Spent a good 12 hours mounting and wiring the Cree's to the heat sinks, still have several more hours to go before I see the light!

Stay tuned...
Grid map drawn on the heat sinks:

All wired:

Current tank shot:

 

[bugs713]

Still have not got the LED's finished yet, but should have them online this weekend.
I got a 7" Flower Pot Coral today and got him placed about 6" from the bottom in a medium flow area. I didn't glue him down in case I need to move him. I did some homework on these guys before I got him and it sounds like they can be difficult to keep. I will start feeding him tomorrow; Coral Frenzy, Reef Chili, Oyster Feast and frozen brine using my modified 32" syringe feeder.

Here are a few pics of him and a few others taken today. Next pics will be under 72 Crees!

 

[Kalakuhan]

Nice updates.

I've been fortunate not to kill my flowerpot. I've had mine for @ 9 months.
They eat like pigs. :thumbsup:

 

[bugs713]

Pete, what are you feeding your Flower Pot's and how often?
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[bugs713]

I was finally able to spend some time with the LED's this weekend and made some progress. I am really hoping to have them online by the middle of the week.

There are still some things I need to settle on; the ideas flow while I'm working on something, then I decide to make a change. Spent 1.5 hours in ACE today figuring out my DIY build - they kept asking if I needed help, but I didn't even know where to start haha

The 7 drivers will be mounted in a new "Control Center" aluminum box which will also house the RKE modules, PC4's, MP40 drivers/power supplies etc. This box will also have temperature controlled fan(s).

Stay tuned...

 

[Weyrman]

Wow! Phill. Nicely done!

Great pic progression of the final build too.

Can't wait to hear what your results are when the power goes on!

 

[bugs713]

Thanks Roy!
Yup, can't wait either to light these puppies up and see if they will make the cut without MH supplementation.
I will do some par readings of the two 250w MH currently installed and then some readings with these modules.
We shall see.
:fun5:

 

[evolved]

Things appear headed in the right direction. :thumbsup:

 

[jporter]

Bugs, the tank looks really cool. I love the green flower pot. I have had a red one for over 2 years now. I have never target fed. My theory is all my fish, and fish feedings take care of it. It always seems to have one super long polyp extended as a lookout. JP

 

[bugs713]

Thanks guys!
Jeff, I stopped spot feeding the flower pot and now supplement the whole tank with coral foods. When I do this, the flower pot shrinks up and sucks it in as does the GSP. Besides, spot feeding is a PITA! I do still spot feed the baby RBTA as I think he still needs it.
:thumbsup:


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[frogg21]

sinks and leds

sinks and leds

nicely done LED's/ You're going to LOVE them

Where did you get that finned aluminum strip to connect tie the sinks together?
and where did you get your LEDs from !?
Thx

 

[bugs713]

Thanks!
That is a 1" heat sink from Rapid, the LED's are also from Rapid.

Sent form my S3 using TapThat

 

[Kalakuhan]

The leds look good Phil! You'll be pleasantly surprised when you fire those babies up. especially the ability to control the blue/white to your liking. :celeb1:

I'm interested in those PAR readings vs. your 250MHs.

 

[Kalakuhan]

Nice updates.

I've been fortunate not to kill my flowerpot. I've had mine for @ 9 months.
They eat like pigs. :thumbsup:

I use to feed them small mysis and cyclopeze every couple of weeks.
Now it's just easier to feed coral frenzy/ reef roids.

Those things are going to glow under those blue leds!

 

[bugs713]

Thanks Pete!

I will get some more pics up tonight.
I had to change the swing out wall mount to ceiling cable mounts (Radion style) The flat panel TV wall mount brackets I bought and modified cannot hold the weight safely. I have not given up on this idea and will go back to the drawing board. Until then, I will use cables.

Taking off work early today to spend some good time getting this finished, but will probably be Friday/Saturday before they are online.

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[bugs713]

Still doing the wiring and have a lot of work left. Hoping to finally be done this weekend!

This is the fuse/resister box that will sit on top of the modules and all LED strands will connect to along with the fan wiring. Four, 4 wire cables will connect to this box and run 10' to the drivers housed in the Main Control box. I have seen many DIY LED's with the drivers mounted within the fixture, but I didn't want the added weight AND 120v hanging above and running to/from the DT - THIS is what is taking so long haha

Anyway, thanks again for following along and will have the finished product online this weekend, maybe :fun5:

 

[Weyrman]

Bugs,

How much do those puppies weigh? The hanging lights that is.

You thought this out well with the driver idea keeping the 120v out from on top of the DT.

Nice clean work too.

I would sure like to see these when you git 'r done.

 

[bugs713]

Thanks!
I will weigh before I hang them.
Everything was well thought out, but I keep changing things as I go...:headwally:

I Finished wiring the modules to the fuse/resister box, tested each strings with a test driver at 500ma and all is great! Also installed the cable hangers.

Next will be the wiring and mounting of the drivers in the new control box; to do this, I have to completely shut down the 185 as all the Reef Keeper PC4 and modules will also be installed in this control box. This last step is several hours of work and the Cardinals game just started, so it will be a few more days.
GO CARDINALS!:uzi:

Bean, my lazy helper...

 

[jporter]

Love the picture of the cat!

 

[Kalakuhan]

Light is looking awesome. Do we have liftoff yet?
Man you're gonna love it!