DIY LEDs - The write-up

[der_wille_zur_macht]

You probably don't need 150 LEDs. Depending on the LEDs you pick, drive current, and what you want to keep in the tank, 80 - 120 is probably a realistic range.

Heatsink size and number is somewhat personal preference. Keep in mind that a vendor is in business to make money. Many people are using simple aluminum channel from a hardware store. It is way cheaper and easier to work with, since it weighs much less.

The off brand LEDs you mention are not worthwhile thanks to their poor specifications. It seems expensive to use high quality LEDs but usually it ends up saving you money in the long term thanks to fewer LEDs required to get a certain amount of light and better efficiency.

 

[007Bond]

No magic formula's.....plot it out on a spread sheet....read the thread, look at others builds, use some common sense, and use the search function here. To determine number of LEDs take length times width of your tank and divide by 16. Other than that it would be wise to educate yourself with the wealth of knowledge contained here prior to attempting a build.

Brass, I have read the entire thread, and I follow it daily. I know the # of leds I will be using and how to size the drivers. I'm going to do a build similar to nreefer as my tank is about the same size. I have read jpccusa build which is really good, especially for someone that is just starting out.What I'm not sure of is on the led lay out, if you are doing 2 to 1 rb. to cw, should it be, b-b-w-b-b-w the length of the rail,and then alternate the next rail w-b-b-w-b-b? and from what I have read I think I'm going to use the whites 1 to 1 cw. to nw. or ww. so would it then be b-b-cw-nw-b-b ? Some have posted adding reds, greens, violets.What I want to know is how do you decide where to locate the different colors? Just trying to get a handle on color and mix. Thanks.

 

[TheFishMan65]

I originally did 24 LEDs CW and 24 LEDs RB with XR-E. I will be changing 50% of the CW to NW (XP-G) and swapping 4 royal to XP-E regular blues (cool blue). If I was to do a fixture now I would start with:
6 NW XP-G : 10 RB XP-E : 2 CB XP-E
The ratio might have to change some once I saw it, but I think this is about right. No or wide lenses on the cool blues to spread out their color.

 

[brassmonkyballs]

Brass, I have read the entire thread, and I follow it daily. I know the # of leds I will be using and how to size the drivers. I'm going to do a build similar to nreefer as my tank is about the same size. I have read jpccusa build which is really good, especially for someone that is just starting out.What I'm not sure of is on the led lay out, if you are doing 2 to 1 rb. to cw, should it be, b-b-w-b-b-w the length of the rail,and then alternate the next rail w-b-b-w-b-b? and from what I have read I think I'm going to use the whites 1 to 1 cw. to nw. or ww. so would it then be b-b-cw-nw-b-b ? Some have posted adding reds, greens, violets.What I want to know is how do you decide where to locate the different colors? Just trying to get a handle on color and mix. Thanks.

Yeah on mixing the colors I just plot them in excel filling in blue for RB white for CW and yellow for NW to visualize the layout and started with RB-RB-CW-RB-RB-CW etc etc etc

Then I decided where to mix in the NW with the idea being to spread everything evenly in an attempt to blend them.

I have since added greens and reds and just visualized where to stick them in an attempt to evenly spread them. I tend to stare at it far too long too

 

[Frost3839]

THANKS der_wille_zur_macht !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For being so helpful! Not only to me but everyone on this thread! Trying to read all of this tread from the start. But its taking me a little while lol. But I beileve I am going to do 120 LED's. XP-E 64rb, XP-E 32cw, 12 cw XP-G, and 12 blue. I personally enjoy a more blue tint to my aquarium 18-20k look. So does this sound like a good light ratio? And if so what CREE reg blue should I get? Do they make XP-G or XP-E in standard blue? Cause I am only finding XR-E. I am wanting to use the 12 Standard blue for moon lighting. Should I use reg blue for moonlighting or use royal blue? And to help cost, I am going to do as you said about the aluminum channel from a hardware store. In order to save cost. I am deciding to go with 64" long alumin channels. But should I go with 4 Channels or 5? If I go with 4 Alum channels that puts me at 30 led's at 2 inch spacing. If I go with 5 channels it puts me at 24 leds at 2.5 inch spacing. My questions maybe stupid and easy for most. But Im learning =). Last part of the question for this thread is most dimmable drivers controls 12 leds correct? Such as the Mean Well ELN 60-48. So then it wouldn't it be smarter to do 5 channels sence that puts me at 24 led's per so that way wiring would be easier sence it will be an even 2 drivers per channel? Or is there a better choice for a dimmable driver setup for me? The less driver the better for me when it comes to wiring and mounting all the drivers to the canopy. Thanks again for anyone who replys!!!

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I would go with at least 5 or 6 channels. You need to keep the power density low, and that gets you more even coverage front to back as well.

I am curious why you are using cool white XP-E and cool white XP-G. You might be better off with all the whites as XP-G. And you will probably want some neutralor warm whites. Even if you like a coooler look, having them keeps the tank from looking washed out. Regarding moonlights: color is personal preference. 12 is too many. You want more like 2 or 4.

 

[TheFishMan65]

How big of a tank?
XP-E come in royal blue and blue. XP-G are only in white.
Why two kinds of CW? I would recommend NW form what I have read. I will be trying it soon. Check out the HLG drivers they will work better for this large of a build.

[EDIT]
hmm, I guess I should have checked again before posting

 

[007Bond]

Yeah on mixing the colors I just plot them in excel filling in blue for RB white for CW and yellow for NW to visualize the layout and started with RB-RB-CW-RB-RB-CW etc etc etc

Then I decided where to mix in the NW with the idea being to spread everything evenly in an attempt to blend them.

I have since added greens and reds and just visualized where to stick them in an attempt to evenly spread them. I tend to stare at it far too long too

Ok--Thanks. So if you start out RB-RB-CW-RB-RB then change some CW's out to NW so on paper it looks mixed? Would you do RB-RB-CW-NW-RB-RB?Any thoughts on using WW also? on reds and greens are you adding just a few to taste? Similar to nreefer's I will have + - 220 leds 28@ rail 8 rails total. I plan on screwing them down so I can switch leds easy.

 

[brassmonkyballs]

Ok--Thanks. So if you start out RB-RB-CW-RB-RB then change some CW's out to NW so on paper it looks mixed? Would you do RB-RB-CW-NW-RB-RB?Any thoughts on using WW also? on reds and greens are you adding just a few to taste? Similar to nreefer's I will have + - 220 leds 28@ rail 8 rails total. I plan on screwing them down so I can switch leds easy.

I try not to put any kind of whites together if possible. They are just so bright I like to try to spread them out. About the best you can do though is diagonal.

I HAD 50 Rbs, 18 CW, 6 NW on a 4x2x2 120g. Now I have 44 RBs, 18 CW, 6 NW, 6 Greens, 3 reds.

 

[007Bond]

I try not to put any kind of whites together if possible. They are just so bright I like to try to spread them out. About the best you can do though is diagonal.

I HAD 50 Rbs, 18 CW, 6 NW on a 4x2x2 120g. Now I have 44 RBs, 18 CW, 6 NW, 6 Greens, 3 reds.

Brass, Thanks for the input, I'll play around with them. I'm also getting some info from Nreefer. I have followed your posts, I seen where you liked the look you got after adding optics. In fact did you change from 60's to 90's. Once again thank you.

 

[mseepman]

Okay, so I have asked some questions on here before but have had delays in my build and I am finally starting on getting this light going.

I am building a fixture for a 96"L x 32"W x 26"H peninsula tank. I currently have the LED's I think I need: 96 XP-E RB, 12 XP-E Blue, 48 XP-G CW and 24 XP-G NW for a total of 180 LED's.

Here is the pic of how I plan to do this:

Note that the RB are the dark blue, the light blue are the XP-E blues, the pure white represent CW and the slightly yellow ones are the NW's.

The thinner strips are 2" U-Channel and the center large strip is 4" u-channel. All 1/8 with 1" uprights.

In the opinion of those that know a lot more than me...which of my LED's would you put Optics on. My tank is not really deep but I do plan on having mostly SPS coral. The fixture will be hidden in a canopy...I hope to have the light about 10-16 inches above the water.

I will be running the XP-G at 1050ma or so and the XP-E's at about 800ma.

Any concerns I won't have enough light?

 

[XSiVE]

I think you'll have enough light and I really like how you've laid this out.

I would think maybe putting optics where you want the SPS lower in the tank but before you consider that see if you can borrow a par meter from someone and check your readings.. you might be surprised at how much light is available.

 

[brassmonkyballs]

Thats a big tank. I think you'll be ok on LED count but its close. The thing I would be concerned about is coverage due to your fixture being 24" shorter than your tank. I would like to see it 84" minimum (88" would be better IMO) which you can do by reducing the width by 1 strip and adding the LEDs to the length.

Looks like a great build though.

 

[mseepman]

Thanks guys...after posting this I have to admit a mistake in my numbers above...due to room size my contractor (building a house around this tank) made me shorten it up from the original 96" to 84" and I've spent so long working with the 96" figure that it comes out by 2nd nature now. so with the new shorter length, does this make more sense?

Also in case anyone is wondering about the 4" channel, it's 3/16 rather than 1/8th.

 

[brassmonkyballs]

In that case then you have more than enough LEDs. I would look at 130-160 but more insures coverage that's for sure.

So looks like a good plan to me.

 

[Jay03GT]

The only thing I would suggest is that you have 3 whites lined up on the right side of the fixture, in 2 different places. I would try to mix those up with the blues. On the fixture I recently built I have 2 whites in a row, and I can definetly tell that the spot under them is a little more white than the rest of the tank. If you don't plan on running optics it won't matter as much (I didn't notice it on mine until I put the optics on).

 

[Chromis_VL]

Hi,

Found this thread thanks to ledsupply.com which is linking to this thread.
I've come to realize that most of the leds mentioned here are sold by them ;-)

Anyway, I have a 22X22x22 cube (30g) and I'm looking to put anything between 24 and 36 leds.

Based on 1 led per 15sq.inch, I get 30 leds.

Anyway I'm still way to confused to start ordering, and maybe I can't get some good directions from RC members.

If I go with 30, what should be the color split?
I'm planning XPGs for white (Neutral & Cool) and XPEs for blue (Royal and Normal)

The drivers will be the dimmable 7023 Buckplus (1000mA for the Whites and 700mA for the Blues) - unless someone gives a better idea.
With 1 driver per 6 leds, I need to try to get them arranged by type as to make it as cost effective as possible.

BTW, does a mix of Royal and Normal Blue give an actinic result as well? or should only the RBs be on.

Sorry for the long post and all the questions, but I'm really very confused in my choices.

Vitor

 

[brassmonkyballs]

Hi,

Found this thread thanks to ledsupply.com which is linking to this thread.
I've come to realize that most of the leds mentioned here are sold by them ;-)

Anyway, I have a 22X22x22 cube (30g) and I'm looking to put anything between 24 and 36 leds.

Based on 1 led per 15sq.inch, I get 30 leds.

Anyway I'm still way to confused to start ordering, and maybe I can't get some good directions from RC members.

If I go with 30, what should be the color split?
I'm planning XPGs for white (Neutral & Cool) and XPEs for blue (Royal and Normal)

The drivers will be the dimmable 7023 Buckplus (1000mA for the Whites and 700mA for the Blues) - unless someone gives a better idea.
With 1 driver per 6 leds, I need to try to get them arranged by type as to make it as cost effective as possible.

BTW, does a mix of Royal and Normal Blue give an actinic result as well? or should only the RBs be on.

Sorry for the long post and all the questions, but I'm really very confused in my choices.

Vitor

30 would be more than you need IMO but being dimmable you can dial it in. I personally recommend 2 RB for 1 white.

I also recommend Meanwell drivers but that just me.

Finally, FWIW...that supplier has the highest prices for individual LEDs on the planet. Take a look at rapidled.com to get an idea.

 

[Chromis_VL]

Thanks for the tip BMB.

I didn't say I was getting the leds from them ;-)
I'm in Belgium and getting some of this stuff carries a lot of customs costs and taxes.

I'll look up the Meanwell and see how easy I can get them.

I've seen a lot of people changing their setup to Normal Blue and Normal (neutral) White.
But since I don't have any idea on how these setups are really looking like, I'm stuck.

Maybe, I just start slow with 24 leds and leave space for an additional 6 of any color.

your thoughts are welcome.

Cheers

 

[MontyJack]

Hi Chromis VL

I'm using MW (10 of them) since more than a year now. Now I'm thinking about to change my setup because I start to dislike the characteristics of the MW dimming function, which shuts the light off at 5%. But if you don't mind this characteristic, you can have some of mine.