Diy t5/led question

[rustyjames]

Would like some opinions on the led portion of a t5/led build.
Tank is a 20 long, t5 will be let 2x24 with a blue plus and a coral plus.

Plan is 10 cree leds on a dimmable driver, I'd like some help choosing colors. The majority will be royal blue. Should I add a couple regular blue, neutral white and or violet to the mix?

Thanks for reading and any help would be appreciated.

 

[mcgyvr]

Its really just personal preference..
I was quite happy with the standard royal blue/cool white combo we used to do back in the day..

Depending on layout/spacing/power levels you might not be happy with the spotlight/circle of color you may see from any color you add really.. So you may be happier with cool whites only or neutral whites something like that..

I suspect you can ask 100 people and really get 100 personal opinions.. You just got mine..

 

[jayball]

Depends on what you are running the string at to whether you should add violet, I would not if you are over 500MA. (I guess you could do a couple in parallel but if one goes out you will overload the rest)

If you are using a blue plus bulb I wouldn't bother with bright blue, you have blue and cyan covered with that.

So I would run 3 neutral or 4 cool white, one less of either if you want it colder. mix in a couple violets if you are running at a lower current. The balance royal blue. All IMO.

 

[rustyjames]

Ah, good point on the violets. Forgot they were 500mA max. While I'd like some pop from the supplemental lighting I don't want it too blue.

Guess I'll go old school, 2 to 1 rb/cw. Any thoughts on evenly spacing the leds vs groups of 3?

Thanks guys.

 

[mcgyvr]

Any thoughts on evenly spacing the leds vs groups of 3?

.

Evenly spacing may be better from a thermal perspective..

Grouping them together can help to avoid the disco ball effect (being able to see the single colored spot on the sand)..

 

[jayball]

If you are using a heat-sync with enough headroom you could use "anti-disco" 3-ups from steves http://www.stevesleds.com/3-up-Tristar--Connected-Wiring--AntiDisco_p_208.html

Looks like they have violets they rate for 700ma too, not sure I would trust it though.