BigCountry74
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X2. I could handle buying the LEDs/heatsink etc. But the dimmable drivers were just too $ for me.
chinese led lights
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X2. I could handle buying the LEDs/heatsink etc. But the dimmable drivers were just too $ for me.
donald altman
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I would think just around the corner would be a LED fixture that would have a chip you could plug into your pc and program the LED to come on at different times and to dim over a certain time period or even to color shift.
It would be nice if you could literally walk over plug a laptop in and make an adjustment to the look of your tank... the technology is already being used for other applications
(stage lighting and such) using a DMX-512 controller.
It would be nice if you could literally walk over plug a laptop in and make an adjustment to the look of your tank... the technology is already being used for other applications
(stage lighting and such) using a DMX-512 controller.
rrasco
New member
That's entirely possible, but with already expensive LED fixtures, it would just drive the cost up even more. When I build my controller I plan to use an Arduino with ethernet capabilities. Hopefully I can run a web server which will allow me to add features you mentioned. I actually work for a stage lighting company, so it will be interesting to see how much cross-over there is. One of my bosses is already ordering a bunch of LED so we can start building some LED ribbons, fixtures, etc, to test out. Partially sparked by the fact I'm messing with all this LED stuff for my tank.
BigCountry74
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Dude heck yeah.....
Plumbcrazy
New member
The lights are 12". Off the tank the tank is 14" deep. The heat issue was with mh but my 6 bulb t5 raised the tank 2 degrees. I'm just stating that for 160 bucks these LEDs can't be beat. Now if your not ready for these advancements on your tank then stick to "traditional" lighting.
These lights are just a stepping stone for what's to come and we are all taking a risk by running them. Five years from now when these "should" need replaced then new and better stuff will be out. Someone took the risk on t5s once apron a day and look where they are at.
Granted they are not made of recycled materials, the still need replaced less often, and use less engery. IMO that going green, also without the heat issues of other lighting no need for a chiller huh just saved more engery.
These lights are just a stepping stone for what's to come and we are all taking a risk by running them. Five years from now when these "should" need replaced then new and better stuff will be out. Someone took the risk on t5s once apron a day and look where they are at.
Granted they are not made of recycled materials, the still need replaced less often, and use less engery. IMO that going green, also without the heat issues of other lighting no need for a chiller huh just saved more engery.
Hey Plumbcrazy thanks for all you go info and post your really helping mae make up my mine. Im now debating between 14k and 20k. But its hard to tell from the pics take a look at GroYurOwn's on page 16 he says thats a pretty close pic. Yours have a hint of blue and thats what Im looking for I just dont like a straight white look. But his 20k lights look nice also. What are your thoughts on your pic accuracy. Also Im going to need 3 lights if I did 2 14k and 1 20k in the middle how would that look would it blend? Nah know that I think about it Id probably have a big blue spot in the middle of the tank. Anyway your thoughts
TropTrea
New member
It is not around the corner but it is here now. Many people running APEX controlers have there LED's hooked up to them. They are using dimmable drivers with seperate channels for each color. Then the controler turns them on to there desired brightness gradualy. Each color controled seperatly you can start with a predawn beep blue look and gradualy lighten it to a dawn 20,000K look and then gradualy turn it up to a much brighter 14,000K look at mid day. Besides that they can give a moon light effect tuned to the actual moon cycle.
If you already have an APEX controler it is basicly just a matter of getting dimmable Drivers for a Home Built LED system, or watching which comercial system you get which has the features already built into them.
rrasco
New member
I know, but I thought he was referring to all-inclusive fixtures with those capabilities. At least that's what I was talking about.
Plumbcrazy
New member
I would have to say that mine are really close to a hamilton 14k mh. Not as blue as a phenix 14k but I love the color. I'm a 20k guy at heart but the growth and all around color of a 14k is cool. I have a friend who has the 20k fixture and he says it's a little bluer than his coral vue 20k. I haven't seen this in person so can't verify it. The only thing I can verify is what I see on my tank, I will be tanking a trip to his house next month though.
karsseboom
New member
Going green? Lol this whole hobby is Totally against going green man.
I went ahead and contacted eshinesystems and they were quick to respond. One of the questions I asked them was if they had a dimmable option. They sent me a picture of a manual control on the side of their new CREE LED setup which I thought was kind of stupid. I also asked them if these had individual circuits so if one LED goes out the rest would stay on, they replied that these do not. That is kind of a deal breaker for me. I know these have a long life but if one goes out my whole lighting is out? That doesn't fly well with me
TropTrea
New member
For your size tank #300 is a little on the tough side. but the 1,000 to 1,400 is unreasonable on the other end of the spectrum.
With a 130 gallon tank I would run 84 of them at 700 ma each. 28 Nuetral White XP-G's at $5.00 each total $140.00 and 56 XP-E Royal Blues at $3.40 each total $190.40. 5 60 Watt Dimmable Drivers at $34.00 each totals $170.00. Using 1 1/2" Channeling for heat sinks and mounting would add about $65.00. So your total for the 130 gallon tank would be $565.00.
This would give you comparable light to an 8 bulb ATI fixture costing $1,100
and using up 432 Watts while only using 250 Watts. Or 4 Sol 75 Watt LED modules totaling $1,700.
Yes we are over the $300 mark but you have a larger tank than most. The $300 mark is very obtainable for someone with a 75 gallon tank.
TropTrea
New member
This is the big advantage of DIY. With a DIY system you have 12 to 14 LED's on a string. If a LED shorts fails open it will turn off the string till you replace that one LED. The other strings will still work for you. If it fails shorted out then only it will go out, and rest of the string will remain functional.
I did not see a price as I looked through Eshines Web Page but it sounds like it sould fall in the range of $150 for the 60 Watt module.
Thanks for that info that is definitely a little more reasonable. Wheres the best place to pic up these parts.
BigCountry74
New member
Chinese lights came today! I will be in daddy mode this weekend, so will prob not be able to get anything mounted until next week. These are the http://www.aquariumleds.com/products/120-Watt-Aquarium-LED-14K-3-Watt-LEDs.html lights. Shipping was solid and all 3 lights work. 1 year warranty, hopefully they can grow coral. Plan is to mount the lights on the wall via individual adjustable shelving, then measure around the lights and build the box to encase everything.
Plan is to mount the lights on the wall via individual adjustable shelving, then measure around the lights and build the box to encase everything.
BigCountry74
New member
So something like this,
Then this,
Then this,
karsseboom
New member
Chinese lights came today! I will be in daddy mode this weekend, so will prob not be able to get anything mounted until next week. These are the http://www.aquariumleds.com/products/120-Watt-Aquarium-LED-14K-3-Watt-LEDs.html lights. Shipping was solid and all 3 lights work. 1 year warranty, hopefully they can grow coral.
Those are not the same LEDs this thread it about.
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