2Tall 185g - Build

[bugs713]

^^Thank you!

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PARTS LIST
I've been asked by a few for a parts list of my LED build, so I put it all together. Most of the LED items was purchased at RapidLED; other items at RadioShack, Homedepo, GroupLEDBuy and Fry's Electronics. If you need any info on a specific item, please PM me.

This build could have been done much cheaper, but I spared no expense in doing it the way I wanted it done my way for my needs. I could have and almost did buy Radions instead of doing this build, but as I stated before, I'm glad I went the DIY route!
I got much more light for my buck AND custom tailored to exactly what I wanted/needed. I would not have achieved this with Radions and certainly not under $1,500!

Don't even ask for the total hours spend building this....:lol: Besides, can't really put an hourly price on something you love doing.

This is a fairly accurate estimate of the prices paid for all items:
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*4 Plexiglas Splash Guard - $4.00/$16
*6 Mean Well Driver – ELN-60-48D - $34/$204
*1 Mean Well Driver – Dimmable Nano (Moon) - $22
*1 Y – Shape hanging Kit - $10.00
*2 Artic Alumina Thermal Adhesive – $7/$14
Cree LEDS
*24 Royal Blue XT-E - $3.25/$78
*12 Blue XP-E - $3.25/$39
*6 Violet UV - $4.50/$27
*6 Red/Orange XP-E - $4.00/$24
*18 Cool White XP-G R5 - $4.00/$72
*6 Neutral White XP-G - $5.00/$30
*2 Royal Blue Moon light - $2.50/$5
* 72 Optics 40 degree - $1.00/$72
*6 Resisters – 100ohm 5w - $1.99/$12
*7 Fuse holders panel mount - $2.99/$21
*1 Project box - $3.99
*Heat shrink tube various sizes - $20
*Molar connectors various sizes - $20
*DIM4 Controller - $85.00
*4 Fan 120mm Vantec Stealth Fan – $13/$52
*4 Fan Covers – $3/$12
*Hookup wire solid 20 gauge - $14.00
*Hookup wire stranded 20 gauge - $8.00
*Cable 4 -16 gauge stranded (40’@$1.35/f t) -$54.00
*Solder - $12
*Misc - $50

Total: $1057
:thumbsup:

 

[Weyrman]

Wow, great parts listing. Sure appreciated! Thanks Phill.

So... Has it been running long enough to ask if there's anything you'd do differently? It's such a great build that I can hardly imagine anything. But I just have to ask!

Cheers to your build! :beer:

 

[bugs713]

Thanks Roy!!

The few things I would do different other than not build it in my bedroom AND sit in a chair with back support....

1) Change some of the optics on the outer sides of the fixtures to help with mid and upper spread - I used all 40 degree optics and I think changing some outer ones to 60's or even 80's will help. I have good spread at the bottom, but could be better.

2) Further separate the four modules to also help with the spread.

My back is still sore from this build... when I recover and get board and basically get in the mode of fixing things that are not really broken.... :facepalm:
I will do the above adjustments.

With all the change ups I did during the build, I'm very happy with it, but I think my fish and corals are the happiest!

 

[bugs713]

A few pics. Starting to look like a reef!

The West side of the tank:

Color Splash Studio fun on my Mac:

Dragons Breath Macro:

Nuclear Green Platy frag (From Ryan):

 

[Andrew17030]

Love those RBTAs. Are they staying put?

 

[bugs713]

For the most part except the lowest one and he goes back and forth between the columns. So far, no damage to anything.

 

[bugs713]

Got another camera.... this one is the new Canon T4i with the EF-S 18-135mm IS STM lens kit. Does a lot more than the XTi, so more stuff to learn. So far I love it!
I am currently planning a bank robbery so I can afford a good macro lens.... the cost of a good macro still blows me away!

Going to stop spending $$ on photography and get to work on skinning the stand!

Here are a few pics with the T4i:

 

[Weyrman]

Those are some nice shots bugs!

Are you turning off pumps and all for your shots?

 

[jporter]

Bugs, nice photos. It's fun working with a new camera.

 

[bugs713]

Thanks guys!
Maybe next Christmas I will be ready for a 5D like you guys have. How you liking the 5D BTW?

No, nothing was turned off this time; I actually need to set up the Standby's in the RKE to at least shut down the two MP40s and the Iwaki CL pump, not hard to do.
I will not have the main return pump shut down for any reason except for maintenance - too difficult to get the DT water level dialed back in after it is shut off.

 

[Weyrman]

Thanks guys!
Maybe next Christmas I will be ready for a 5D like you guys have. How you liking the 5D BTW?

Having a lot of fun with the 5D. I was thinking of posting some pics of some corals to frag for PROP. I'll do that in another thread. Still have a lot to learn about this camera. Just figured out the other day that you need to shoot straight into the tank. Things get fuzzy through the glass at an angle. I thought I was out of focus! Just started looking up how to do time lapse photography with it. Always wanted to try that. I need to get a white card or something for setting white balance. Settings go up to 10k so I'm curious how 14k to 20k lighting will turn out. Will have to play around with light settings with the LEDs and see what happens.

Would sure like to get a macro lens but you're right that they are not cheap! I picked up RWessels Neptune Apex setup and all his Spectrapure pumps the other day for the 240g build so it looks like the macro lens will be a few months out now!

Happy New Year!

 

[bugs713]

And a few more pics, I'm really loving this new camera!

 

[Weyrman]

Is it just me or does that shrimp look like it got stuck in the Enterprise's transporter?

 

[bugs713]

What do you mean Spock?

 

[Weyrman]

I drove all over the valley today transporting fish related goodies so it must be me!

 

[bugs713]

How weird is that? Last night the shrimp pic you posted looked the same as the original I posted. Today I see what you were talking about, but my pic is normal and the one you posted is lined and broken up - Enterprise transporter problem!

 

[Weyrman]

I'll bet it's the "Wicked Busy" servers at ReefCentral just having some fun with that shrimp!

So you're into, what is it, a month or so with the new lights? Everything looks great in your pics. Have you noticed any changes that might be attributable to the new Bugs Blaster LEDs?

 

[bugs713]

Green and purple coralline has gone crazy on the side panels, some on the rock.
GSP has colored up and grown nicely. Got the other corals after the Bugs Blaster LED's haha, so will wait and see how they do. So far, so good; the zoa's and ric's are looking better also.

I should also note, I'm still having issues with cyno, but me and my Red Spot Blenny are getting close to whipping it without chemicals!

 

[Kalakuhan]

Hey Bugs, Happy New Year.
Pictures look great!

 

[bugs713]

Thanks Pete, Happy New Year to you also!

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I guess starfish do not sting as the zoa's were back to normal 30 minutes after they were violated.... I am amazed how active this star is, he is all over the tank yet I never see him move...

Green and Orange Yuma's