DIY LEDs - The write-up

[Iwishihadgills]

Iwish, depending on optics, mounting height, drive current, etc. - yes, that should be plenty. For reference, Soundwave used the same 48 LEDs on his 75g and has posted photos showing good colors and growth on SPS. In your tank it should be more than enough.

Im using two Mean Well ELN-60-48D dimmable drivers. But i dont know what optics to use or what fans to keep it cool.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So if the Heatsink USA stuff is overkill what are you guys using for heat sinks?

I was dinging around lowes today and saw some 1/4" aluminum stock and some aluminum channel. The channel isn't thick enough to use but I was thinking about using the 1/4" by 1" stock as the base and attaching 3/4" channel to the top to act as cooling fins.

 

[sammy113]

So if the Heatsink USA stuff is overkill what are you guys using for heat sinks?

I was dinging around lowes today and saw some 1/4" aluminum stock and some aluminum channel. The channel isn't thick enough to use but I was thinking about using the 1/4" by 1" stock as the base and attaching 3/4" channel to the top to act as cooling fins.

I wouldn't say heatsinks are overkill. In fact LEDs lifespan depends in part by how cool they run. In a expensive lamp like any LED lamp, better safe than sorry.

I have a 8"x 8.4" heatsink with 23 LEDs and heatsink still runs at 115F with fans on.

 

[kcress]

And to an LED 115F is like the arctic.

 

[captstinky]

widmer: I would expect by the time nylon screws enabled a gap, I'll be replacing the LED fixture with a 'next generation' lighting system. But time will tell, I could be off by a mile. The screw holes will be drilled and tapped to create a threaded base, and under the stars will be thermal grease. It sounds great in theory.

Stu: I checked out a local hobby shop and 8/32 seemed big, but no worries? I've got a little time to play around, as the meanwell drivers are going to take their sweet time getting here it seems...I am anxious the start my build. Not planning on using optics on this one. If the 8/32 and washer allow for some proverbial wiggle room, then I'm in.

 

[sammy113]

And to an LED 115F is like the arctic.

Yeah I know. I'm afraid the reading is not 100% accurate as it was taken with the thermometer's probe in the fins. Anyway, the heatsink should be the coolest part so the LED itself get hotter than that. I wish I had an IR thermometer to take some readings.

 

[customcolor]

I wouldn't say heatsinks are overkill. In fact LEDs lifespan depends in part by how cool they run. In a expensive lamp like any LED lamp, better safe than sorry.

I have a 8"x 8.4" heatsink with 23 LEDs and heatsink still runs at 115F with fans on.

my sink is cool compaired to yours at 95 degrees with 24 leds on it and a fan. more pics of temps in my build....http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1796371

 

[sammy113]

Thets cool, you're probably running a higher CFM fan than me. Mine is dead silent and thus will allow to get hotter

Great build BTW! very clean

 

[customcolor]

yeah that fan is strong!! at swaps you dont even hear it...i did a swap with it yesterday and some people just dont look at the lite cuz they think it is a halide....thats how convincing it was in lighting...when i showed people it was led...there jaws droped!!

 

[sammy113]

I love to see the the reactions of people when see LED lamps over reefs! They're like, ***? all that light from those little things?

 

[180galreefer]

It's time to replace my T5s and I figure I can make a DIY LED setup for only a couple hundred more.

So I am starting by purchasing the lights themselves. I need some input on whether or not these LEDs would suffice or even work.

For Blue:
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...=sGAEpiMZZMsgllGlynFdfmhK4/vtbR1CN2PjsgwCerI=
A pretty decent price for larger orders. 50+ @ $4.54


For White: Suggestions????

Thanks for the help folks.

 

[laverda]

180 I am not a real expert, but that does not seem like much light for the watts used and the cost.

 

[stugray]

Where is everyone finding their Meanwell ELN-60-48s???

Everyone seems to be out of stock.

Stu

 

[widmer]

Groop buy on another forum, $26/ea

 

[TheFishMan65]

Speaking of group buys. After eveyone's tax refund get in I am going to look into doing a group buy for LEDs and Lenses from ETG. Never tried this before, so if you are interested please let me know by PM. If I get enough PMs to think it is worthwhile then look for a post in April.

 

[widmer]

this forum doesn't condone group buys except in the case of regional group buys hosted by a regional reefing society/club. Your best bet may be another forum

 

[rickb]

Are there any LEDs I can use to give different wavelenths other than the RB and White? Like what about uv or more blacklight type LEDs?

 

[Reef_Matrix29]

What wavelengths are you looking for to illuminate your corals?

 

[TheFishMan65]

widmer,

I was told

You can do this providing you're not in the commercial business of these items such as a store owner. Most group buys are people in a local common area that get a discount when ordering bulk and split shipping costs. If you are in the industry but not within the retail side of the house, but can help your fellow hobbyist, it shouldn't be an issue.

This is what I have been told. You comment refers to local people sharing a shipping cost which as far as RC has now is most. I do not read anything in here (but maybe I am reading it wrong), that would prevent a group buy to save on the price of an item. I am going with the theory of the law if not the letter. "if I can help my feloow hobbyisy ..."

However, I am also starting early enough that they can stop me if I am breaking the rules.

 

[widmer]

Someone a while ago specifically put up a thread in this forum to see how many might be interested in a group buy. It got shut down, so when I specifically asked the mods:

Buying/Selling has never been allowed in the equipment forums. It doesn't matter if it's a group buy or a private party sales.

A true "group buy" is when a pool of local folks pool their order in an effort to share shipping costs. That has always been allowed in the club forums as long as it's organized by someone affiliated with the club.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1795377