2Tall 185g - Build

[bugs713]

Yeah, I can hardy wait! I'm still seeing spots from the string testing... these suckers are bright!.
Going to rent a par meter tomorrow to get reading on the halids currently on the tank. Will do the same once LED's are online.

The cat is named Bean because he's so tiny. He was a rescue kitty, now 2 yesrs old and still tiny. He also spends more time watching fish than I get to!



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[frogg21]

Bugs, very clean unit, spray shields are clean and simple.. (can you just slide them out to clean?
Also, where did you get that finned silver color heat sink bar that connects the black heat sinks? You're going to love the LEDs
Frogg21

 

[bugs713]

Bugs, very clean unit, spray shields are clean and simple.. (can you just slide them out to clean?
Also, where did you get that finned silver color heat sink bar that connects the black heat sinks? You're going to love the LEDs
Frogg21

Thanks!
Yes, the acrylic shields slide out, the heat sinks are made for these shields and purchased from RapidLED along with the silver (aluminum) 1" heat sink that connects all the modules.

I build a 36 Cree system for my 55g about a year ago and retrofitted my BioCube 8 with a DIY 10 Cree system and I do love LED's! Hopefully they will be enough for this deep tank.
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[Bigred]

Looking good Bugs!!! Keep the pics coming.

 

[bugs713]

Thanks Bigred!

Tonight, I wired in all the power cables to the fixture and will shoot for tomorrow and Wednesday for the BTSO (Bring This Sucker Online) dates.

I have a concern with heat dissipation from the 7, 1 ohm resisters in the module box. I used 5w resisters instead of the cooler running 10w do to space issues in this box. Hopefully heat will not be a problem, but may either add a small fan and/or vent holes to help. This is another unknown that I will just have to wait and see.

The weight of the completed fixture is 13 lbs, 17 lbs with the four, 10' long, 4 wire power cables attached. I'm sure in time, technology will greatly advance in cooler running LED's, alleviating the need for such beefy heat sinks. Considering the extreme weight of the last tube TV's made, technology has come a LONG way! Could you image the weight of a 52" tube TV....haha

Will hopefully have pics up tomorrow of a working fixture!
:hmm3:

 

[bugs713]

Still not online, been busy at work this week. I did start to prep the main control box which is made of stainless steel and will be fan cooled. I have a lot of work to do in it getting the PC4's, 7 LED drivers, RKE modules, 2 MP40 drivers and backup battery for the MP40's. I really want this stuff and the amazing amount of wires kept out of sight!

 

[Weyrman]

Everything is looking real nice.

If you need a hand when it comes time to hang these beasts JLMK.

 

[bugs713]

Thanks Roy!
I should be okay, but will let you know.
If you know anyone that is about 4' tall and can hold their breath, I need to glue in some frags....:strange:
:beer:
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[frogg21]

tagging along,

Where did you get that enclosure!? I need something like that (air/water proof)..
Thx

 

[azjohnny]

nice work!....you will be bored when the build is done

 

[bugs713]

Where did you get that enclosure!? I need something like that (air/water proof).
Thx

We installed a new car wash system at my Phoenix site a few years ago and I salvaged this box. I have been lugging this thing around for a while, waiting for a good use. I like the idea of a fire rated enclosure for all this power and connections and to just have everything together hidden.
I priced these boxes online and they are outrageously expensive, but I'm sure something similar could be found much cheaper; I'll keep my eye out for you.

 

[bugs713]

nice work!....you will be bored when the build is done

Thank you!
Your right....but it will give me an excuse to get going on the empty 135 sitting in my living room.
:spin2:

 

[Kalakuhan]

Thank you!
Your right....but it will give me an excuse to get going on the empty 135 sitting in my living room.
:spin2:

When you mentioned you were a reef hoarder I thought you were kidding. :frog: Not quite time for an intervention yet.

 

[bugs713]

When I get to the point of intervention, I'll do what all LFS owners did; open my own LFS...

 

[Weyrman]

When I get to the point of intervention, I'll do what all LFS owners did; open my own LFS...

Yikes! With something like 22 tanks that's scary to hear...

 

[bugs713]

^^Go by gallons of water kept, not tanks. That's a good justification and I'm sticking to it.

 

[bugs713]

Got some more wiring done, but have again changed directions. I was going to use 2 ALC modules and have my RKE handle light control. I would have had to make an additional circuit to allow the ALC's to control 6+ drivers.

This weekend I hooked up a Typhoon light controller to my LED's on my 55 and I really like it! Unfortunately, the Typhoon will not work with the Mean Well ELN "D" drivers which I have. I was referred to the DIM4 sunrise/sunset controller and I really like it. It is an Arduino based controller and can handle many more drivers than I will ever need and can control 3 moon lights onboard without a driver.

Further, I heard Digital Aquatics, makers of the RKE, was not at the big MACNA convention and have not had any updates in the last year, this tells me they are probably not going to be around for the long haul. So, I will not invest anymore money in their products. I see either Apex or ProfiLux controllers in my future...

The DIM4 is on order and I should ready for it when it arrives. This will give me some time to get the Main Control Box (MCB) mostly wired and ready. This has taken WAY more time than I ever thought, but will be really cool and functional once done!
Thanks for following along!

This is the main hookup board I made; the drivers, controller and modules will all plug into this board and it will be mounted in the MCB.

 

[bugs713]

Yikes! With something like 22 tanks that's scary to hear...

Roy, your only at intervention level when you have a tank in every room.... oh wait, never mind. Also, If you ever come home and find all your family and reefer friends in the living room...... :bigeyes:

 

[Bigred]

Very clean work!!! Future tank of the month

 

[Weyrman]

Roy, your only at intervention level when you have a tank in every room.... oh wait, never mind. Also, If you ever come home and find all your family and reefer friends in the living room...... :bigeyes:

Whew!!! Good thing I removed the QT tank from the kitchen a couple weeks ago!