DIY LED fixture questions

Sweet! Thanks for the info. I think I'm going to stick with the 1:1 ratio. As stated earlier I like a whiter look with just a little blue and it looks like I would be able to get that at 1:1. Really nice setup. I hope mine turns out as nice as yours.
 
That light rig turned out great. I'm in the process of building my own. I'll be keeping 4 of my T5 bulbs (blues and purples) and go with a 1:1 ratio on the LEDs. Keep us posted on the progress.

:thumbsup:
 
Very nice! Congrats on your build.

Some thoughts: 1) If I remember correctly, the LEDs are fine, as far as temperature is concerned, if you are able to HOLD the heatsink. Double check this with Kcress.

2) If you add fans, think about how the air is going to move about inside your canopy. Because you made your bars running front-back, it would be hard to make air move within all the channels (help with convection).

Here is my build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1973462
 
jpccusa said:
Very nice! Congrats on your build.

Some thoughts: 1) If I remember correctly, the LEDs are fine, as far as temperature is concerned, if you are able to HOLD the heatsink. Double check this with Kcress.

2) If you add fans, think about how the air is going to move about inside your canopy. Because you made your bars running front-back, it would be hard to make air move within all the channels (help with convection).

Here is my build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1973462
Click to expand...

Thanks jpccusa.

After watching the temperature for a couple of days, I am not really concerned about it. The top of the hood is open and the heat sink is just warm to touch! I guess, I may not need the fan after all!! Save some $$ :celeb1:

Your fixture seems to be very nice as well. Actually I went through your thread before I started mine. You definitely are better than me on soldering LEDs. Lot's of useful information there :beer:
 
Just an update fellows:

Today being the weekend, I was able to observe the tank from start to finish at various times in the day.

as I had mentioned, I may add one more bar of Royalblue LEDs (14 LEDs), I dont think I have a need for that. The tank light is perfect and I saw the light go from Deep blue or deep royalblue to blue to somethinh like 20K when the whites came on! As the day progressed the light became even more brighter and whiter ending up to 10K (with very slight blue tint) where it stays like that for ~3 hr. I was also watching the coral reaction and I can now say that my corals are HAPPY :) their polyps where fully extended and everything looked crisp in the tank. Then the evening cycle sets in and by the time we are at dawn (or slightly after post dawn) setting, the colors of the corals are incredible. I would have taken pictures but there is no way a camera can really reproduce the true sight! (not to mention, i am a crummy photographer too :))
My recommendation, if you can dim the LEDs using a program, you CAN have 1:1 ratio of RBs and CWs.
 
madreef_7K said:
I saw your thread, and I think thats a great idea to have them side by side to complete the spectrum. You sir are much better at soldering than me :)
Click to expand...

HA!

Thanks madreef. I'm hoping the heat doesn't become an issue with the pairs. This is my first soldering endeavor. I'm just learning as I go and researching any other LED threads I can find.

Keep on updating your tank progress. AS I mentioned before, it looks great
 
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