Biocube 29 build

Hextall said:
This was at 100% intensity, right? so you could never dial it up to 100% and still be well below the 10v (unless it spikes I guess.... or I completely misunderstand how voltage ramping relates to intensity).

I emailed RapidLED and they said they'll have the kit in within a week or so.

Did you build your own connection wire to the VDM, or buy the neptune one?
Click to expand...

Correct, 100% intensity. If you turn the variable ports to Manual On it takes it up to 100% and that's how I measured them.

I just cut the end off a network cable I had laying around and used it. I'll try to remember to take some pics of the finished product under the hood today and post them for you. I'm not the best at soldering but it seems to be working!

On a side note, I'm also hoping to fabricate "tunnels" to run from the spots where the on/off switches for the PC lights were through the splash guard to use as feeding holes for two auto feeders. One for pellets and one for flakes. Need to do some testing though.
 
RedStangGA said:
Correct, 100% intensity. If you turn the variable ports to Manual On it takes it up to 100% and that's how I measured them.

I just cut the end off a network cable I had laying around and used it. I'll try to remember to take some pics of the finished product under the hood today and post them for you. I'm not the best at soldering but it seems to be working!
Click to expand...

This may seem like a simpleton's question (it is)... but do you just use one network cable for both drivers? Isn't there a couple pairs of wires within the cable that the VDM uses?

I've been bookmarking some led build threads for reference... any that you bookmarked or are the instructions that thorough?
 
Hextall said:
This may seem like a simpleton's question (it is)... but do you just use one network cable for both drivers? Isn't there a couple pairs of wires within the cable that the VDM uses?

I've been bookmarking some led build threads for reference... any that you bookmarked or are the instructions that thorough?
Click to expand...

Just one cable. I believe pins 1 and 5 supply the positive 0-10v signal for ports 1 and 2 while pins 2 and 6 are the ground for ports 1 and 2 respectively. Confirm that in the unofficial guide though.

I mainly used the unofficial guide and the install guide links that RapidLED supplied. I did use some info from this thread too.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2046957&highlight=apex+jr+led
 
Sounds good man can't wait to see some pics... I also was going to order the kit. Mike told me by the middle or end of the week there should more kits available...

I ended up with a RKL got a real good deal on one that I couldn't pass up.. but I was leaning toward the Apex... Will see how the RKL does if not I could always sell it
 
Ok, as promised here on some pics. The tank looks far more blue in the pics than to my eye but I'm not a photo geek so I have no knowledge of how to correct it.

web.jpg


web.jpg


web.jpg


web.jpg


web.jpg
 
Looks good. Very jealous.

For some reason I think I already asked this, but why did you go with 8 white and 12 blues? Did you find some info that was a better combo than 10/10?
 
Hextall said:
Looks good. Very jealous.

For some reason I think I already asked this, but why did you go with 8 white and 12 blues? Did you find some info that was a better combo than 10/10?
Click to expand...

I've read so many stories of people dimming their whites by a significantly greater margin than their blues. I also prefer a more bluish look. Also, the whites are rated for 1500ma as opposed to the 1000ma of the royal blues. The whites are just crazy bright.
 
If you look in the second pic from post 85 you can really see how much brighter the whites are. Both are going at 100% in that pic.
 
Picked up a couple more Zoa frags. Pics if I ever figure out how to use the wife's DSLR under actinics. The closest "names" I could find were magicians and clementine's. I'm loving their color and glad I decided to start building up some zoa's and paly's as I originally didn't want any.
 
Alright the lights look great! No moonlights though? I am very glad I went with the rapid LED kit too. I had my wife help with the multimeter and neither of us have EVER done anything like it so it was nice when it worked!

I'm interested in getting a controller one day but I definitly want something more user friendly like you said a web page or something to adjust, esp. if I'm forking out more $$$.

The blues show more colors brighter than any: actinic pc's, t5s or 20k metale halide ever did IMO it's amazing like I got new corals!
 
r_jay said:
Alright the lights look great! No moonlights though? I am very glad I went with the rapid LED kit too. I had my wife help with the multimeter and neither of us have EVER done anything like it so it was nice when it worked!

I'm interested in getting a controller one day but I definitly want something more user friendly like you said a web page or something to adjust, esp. if I'm forking out more $$$.

The blues show more colors brighter than any: actinic pc's, t5s or 20k metale halide ever did IMO it's amazing like I got new corals!
Click to expand...

Yeah. I'm loving the look of the corals under RB. Even with the whites on low the corals still have some pop to them.

I can highly recommend the Apex line. Just research which model you to make sure you know that it has everything you need. They're expensive but worth it IMO. I control everything from either a web page or my iPhone both in the house or from anywhere I have an internet connection. Programming is done via the web page only. I don't have a head unit for it and don't see then need for one.

You're lucky you had help! I was on my own as I wasn't going to trust a 9yo and if something happened have that hanging over her head!

I got some pics but I want to try to get better ones before posting. One frag came out great while another had a green tinge instead of orange.
 
I really like that six-line. I think that will be the last fish that I add when I upgrade from my 14 to my 29. Great looking tank!
 
bymers42 said:
I really like that six-line. I think that will be the last fish that I add when I upgrade from my 14 to my 29. Great looking tank!
Click to expand...

Thanks! The six-line is very active so I'm glad we added it. it isn't afraid to swim up to the glass and say hello either when we're there.
 
Or, let's suppose that you back slowly away and let the doggie have the filter floss...besides, looks to me like she/he claimed it first.

Gooood doggie.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Desertoasis
Biocube 16 LED turn-key setup
Replies
0
Views
555
Desertoasis
Desertoasis
Jesoccer94
Biocube 32G Build
Replies
9
Views
2K
PacoPetty
P
davidcalgary29
The Macroalgae Jarquarium
2
Replies
25
Views
11K
davidcalgary29
davidcalgary29
R
IM Nuvo 20 Build Journal - New Beginning!
Replies
2
Views
2K
robotrash
R
Bobbitworm13
SPS Filled IM Nuvo 10 Build
2
Replies
20
Views
4K
Bobbitworm13
Bobbitworm13
Back
Top