DIY "DreamChip" LED build

[R1sky_Biz]

Hey guys, I am in the process of setting up the lighting for a 72g Bowfront and I have a few questions. I have 4 of the 100w 5 channel LED Chips with the following Specs:

Channel 1: EPISTAR ES-CADBV45P 45*45mil 10000K x 20 chips (32-34V @ 700mA-1000mA)

Channel 2 : EPISTAR ES-CADBV45P 45*45mil 455nm Royal Blue x 20 chips (32-34V @ 700mA-1000mA)

Channel 3 : EPILEDS EP-U4545K-A3 45*45mil 420nm x 10 chips + 430nm Violet(UV) x 10 chips (32-34V @ 700mA-1000mA)

Channel 4 : EPISTAR ES-CADBV45P 45*45mil 445nm Royal Blue x 20 chips (32-34V @ 700mA-1000mA)

Channel 5 : EPISTAR ES-CADBV45P 45*45mil 15000K X 20 chips (32-34V @ 700mA-1000mA)

I have read that these are more than capable for what I'm doing although I think 4 is overkill :uzi:

Im at the point now where I am looking into which heatsink and fan setup to go with. I want to go with a clean minimalist Pendant/Kessil look but at this point Im not sure if that will work. I originally got a Silenx EFZ-92HA2 to benchtest and immediately realized this wasnt going to work. Temps were extremely high. Does anyone have any other recommendations?

 

[zachts]

Over kill yes, but that makes cooling easier. consider running them only at half power which will drastically reduce cooling needs and still should be enough light for the average tank of your size. reduced drive current not lower dimming levels.

Look into beefier coolers designed for LEDs. the Maker's LED heatsinks should be adequate at 50 watts per chip on a 6" but there are better options still.

something from heatsink USA with a fan and over temp sensor could be housed in a cylinder type housing or if you don't mind spending a bit look into the Nuventix Synjet systems, just get a very beefy version as they are rated for LEDs that can handle much more heat than those multi chip types.

Also check out the multi-chip led thread, there are many solutions on there using various CPU coolers, but most for that large of chip seem to be the heat pipe versions. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2128756

with chip arrays like that you should shoot for heat sink temps that you can keep your finger on for at least 5 seconds without being burned or feeling pain. which is around 105 F and does need a pretty substantial heatsink and fan cooling. CPUs can run several hundred degrees so coolers for CPU are generally designed for that and you need a heatsink rated for more than double the watts you plan to run.

 

[emerald crab]

I have 3 x 100 chips over my 75 gal. You do want to have 4 or more to avoid brutal shadows in order to get nice even color on your corals. I've been running them for almost 1½ years now and I'm happy with them. I use "Zalman CNPS 10X OPTIMA" heatsinks with them and the temperature is less than 10°C over ambient (measured at the led heat dissipation plate).

 

[bibuz]

how can you cover each led?