Adding LED's to T5's
- Thread starter kodiak23
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zeroinverse
New member
I would angle them in the front pointing toward the bottom back of your tank. This will help your corals grow "toward" the light... To give you more of a 3d effect.
Since it soundalike like you can't put it in the middle of your tank (since your T5s are in the way), so you can't get them to grow "up".
This is good because you will see less "shimmer" on front floor of tank and also allow your corals to grow toward you and also get colored up by the broader spectrum T5s.
At least that is my hypothesis.
Since it soundalike like you can't put it in the middle of your tank (since your T5s are in the way), so you can't get them to grow "up".
This is good because you will see less "shimmer" on front floor of tank and also allow your corals to grow toward you and also get colored up by the broader spectrum T5s.
At least that is my hypothesis.
Thanks.
Well one of my ATI T5 ballasts went out, so I am adding the led's to the inside of my fixture to replace the bulbs, so I could put the led's in any location in the fixture. Only 4 bulbs are working right now. If I end up with all the led's in the front, I might add a new ballast for a 5th T5, although I would rather only replace 4 bulbs every few months.
Well one of my ATI T5 ballasts went out, so I am adding the led's to the inside of my fixture to replace the bulbs, so I could put the led's in any location in the fixture. Only 4 bulbs are working right now. If I end up with all the led's in the front, I might add a new ballast for a 5th T5, although I would rather only replace 4 bulbs every few months.
Dragonvale
New member
Id split them 12 front and 12 back. Angle them like what Ron said. Thats how I had my super actinics in my 250, front and rear angled. I want to say Tom had his supplemental the same way. Good luck.
jellyfishjosh
New member
Have you considered adding lenses to your LED's? I believe different degree lenses are readily available for most LED bulbs to concentrated their power.
zeroinverse
New member
Cody,
You are doing DIY? Or bought 24 LEDs in a manufactured strip.
As for lenses, depending on your angle of the LED strip (straight down or angled into tank), and how much light spread/distibution you want.
What will be important will be how you want your dusk/dawn blue fluorescence look... You want to make sure you get good spread or not everything will get LED light to pop (fluoresce).
I would say out it in a "pivot" (bolted screw on both sides so you can adjust the attack angle. Then you can try different lens combinations for the spread you like.
You are doing DIY? Or bought 24 LEDs in a manufactured strip.
As for lenses, depending on your angle of the LED strip (straight down or angled into tank), and how much light spread/distibution you want.
What will be important will be how you want your dusk/dawn blue fluorescence look... You want to make sure you get good spread or not everything will get LED light to pop (fluoresce).
I would say out it in a "pivot" (bolted screw on both sides so you can adjust the attack angle. Then you can try different lens combinations for the spread you like.
AMAYEU
New member
2 strips at 12 each on front and back with 60 or 80 degree lens. I think 60. 80 will reduce the par but provide a wider spread. The height of the fixture above the sandbed also dictates the lens.
Unlikely because of the all blue Crees, but if you are thinking of running both strips at a longer photoperiod, you could place them on row 2 and 5 on a 6 bulb fixture. Running longer time at lower wattage will save a little on energy.
Unlikely because of the all blue Crees, but if you are thinking of running both strips at a longer photoperiod, you could place them on row 2 and 5 on a 6 bulb fixture. Running longer time at lower wattage will save a little on energy.
northbay-reefer
New member
If the tank is 4 feet then I wouldn't breakup the lights because if the spread is too wide then you will get disco effects. Put them on one single strip in front and pointing them slightly back. You don't need lenses for this kind of supplepment.
My new led's just got shipped today from RapidLed, so should get them in the next couple of days. I think I am going to put 12 led's on 2 separate heat sinks (Aluminum U channel) but stagger them. This way Ill have the option to add a row in the front and back or add both to the front.
I think Ill start with both in the front. Here is a very quick example of how I plan to stagger them
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
Also, I am not planning to use any lenses at this point.
These will be on a manual dimmer, but I might add the ReefKeeper ALC module down the road for a sunrise\sunset.
Zero - The pivot idea is great, it will be nice to be able to quickly change the angle.
thanks
I think Ill start with both in the front. Here is a very quick example of how I plan to stagger them
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
Also, I am not planning to use any lenses at this point.
These will be on a manual dimmer, but I might add the ReefKeeper ALC module down the road for a sunrise\sunset.
Zero - The pivot idea is great, it will be nice to be able to quickly change the angle.
thanks
northbay-reefer
New member
My new led's just got shipped today from RapidLed, so should get them in the next couple of days. I think I am going to put 12 led's on 2 separate heat sinks (Aluminum U channel) but stagger them. This way Ill have the option to add a row in the front and back or add both to the front.
I think Ill start with both in the front. Here is a very quick example of how I plan to stagger them
=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o
o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=
Also, I am not planning to use any lenses at this point.
These will be on a manual dimmer, but I might add the ReefKeeper ALC module down the road for a sunrise\sunset.
Zero - The pivot idea is great, it will be nice to be able to quickly change the angle.
thanks
I forgot to mention but I staggered blue and royal blue leds to get a wider blue spectrum.
I received the package from RapidLed a couple hours ago and decided to get started on it this afternoon. This was my first attempt at DIY led lights, and wow, very easy. 2 hours later and all 24 led's are on the heat sinks, connected to the dimmer and on my tank. I should have done this a long time ago. It is so great to see the corals glowing under led's.
Big thanks to Rapid Led!
Big thanks to Rapid Led!
zeroinverse
New member
Nice!
I have yet to setup my DIY LED fixture.
In the meantime, I did buy an LED fixture (aquatraders type) for $80. A great deal. It'll be used in my prop tank (whenever I get that setup)... Hahaha
I have yet to setup my DIY LED fixture.
In the meantime, I did buy an LED fixture (aquatraders type) for $80. A great deal. It'll be used in my prop tank (whenever I get that setup)... Hahaha
northbay-reefer
New member
Zero, stop thinking and get going would you? lol
Cody so what you ended up doing with the two strips? mounted both in front?
Cody so what you ended up doing with the two strips? mounted both in front?
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