Help with DYI LED full spectrum build for 600 gallon FW

[Doc_Sid]

Hi guys. I'm really into fish keeping and currently have 3 FW tanks. Planning to start a SW setup soon but still need to learn a lot [emoji4]

I need help with DYI LED setup for my 600 gallon low tech planted tank.
Tank size is 8' L x 3' W x 3.5' H

600 gallon tank. Rescape. New woods added: http://youtu.be/Td-xZm7CpfM

It currently has 2 T5HO units
54W x 4 and 39W x 4 totalling to 372 W.

The led upgrade is solely for a BETTER DISPLAY and absolutely not for the plants. The plants I have are very hardy and do good in low to medium light levels. Want a good display which can "pop" the colours of the fish etc

Planning on a CREE 3W LED DYI with programmed sunrise/sunset effects.

Planning to use 4 modules... each with
21 CW
7 WW
4 Royal Blue
4 Green 4 Cyan
4 Deep Red 4 Red
4 Amber

Can you guys please help me with..

1. How many 3W LED do I need for a proper spread and good display for my tank size if I need to run them at 70%... Big dilemma on this

2. Do you think my colour combo will make for a good display. Suggest the combo for the best display possible

Regards,
Sid

 

[Doc_Sid]

Total number of led planned is 52 x 4.... 208
Total wattage is 624W
If it's run at 70 % its around 437W

Is this light too high or low. Kindly help

 

[kapelan]

like this?
http://youtu.be/IV4M2gXJSGU
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2338224&page=2

 

[jedimasterben]

Dayum, that 42" height tho!


I would recommend to stay away from '3w' class diodes. I would instead use the Vero 18 from Bridgelux. Here is O2Surplus' latest build using them: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=603658

He is using 1:1 ratio of 5600K and 2700K 97CRI but is running them at a 3.33 to 1 ratio current-wise, which is about what I'd recommend for looks. I would also consider adding a few Rebel ES 'lime' to the array. As bright as the white LEDs will be, adding in lime just puts it over the top and is a nice 'missing link' IMHO. A few violet LEDs would round it out and can help to give it a nicer hue.

Your tank is 42" tall, but low-tech, so that works in your favor. I personally always think of tank builds as 24" sections, as braced tanks are usually split like that, so your tank would have four 'sections' 24"x36" to cover. Taking the 42" height into account, you'll probably want to use two cool white and one warm white per section, keeping with O2's total number of 12x LEDs. If you're going to add lime, only add maybe around 16x for the entire tank.

 

[Doc_Sid]

Dayum, that 42" height tho!


I would recommend to stay away from '3w' class diodes. I would instead use the Vero 18 from Bridgelux. Here is O2Surplus' latest build using them: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=603658

He is using 1:1 ratio of 5600K and 2700K 97CRI but is running them at a 3.33 to 1 ratio current-wise, which is about what I'd recommend for looks. I would also consider adding a few Rebel ES 'lime' to the array. As bright as the white LEDs will be, adding in lime just puts it over the top and is a nice 'missing link' IMHO. A few violet LEDs would round it out and can help to give it a nicer hue.

Your tank is 42" tall, but low-tech, so that works in your favor. I personally always think of tank builds as 24" sections, as braced tanks are usually split like that, so your tank would have four 'sections' 24"x36" to cover. Taking the 42" height into account, you'll probably want to use two cool white and one warm white per section, keeping with O2's total number of 12x LEDs. If you're going to add lime, only add maybe around 16x for the entire tank.

Thanks jedimasterben [emoji4]

That's an interesting build. Will look into these led

 

[Doc_Sid]

Dayum, that 42" height tho!


I would recommend to stay away from '3w' class diodes. I would instead use the Vero 18 from Bridgelux. Here is O2Surplus' latest build using them: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=603658

He is using 1:1 ratio of 5600K and 2700K 97CRI but is running them at a 3.33 to 1 ratio current-wise, which is about what I'd recommend for looks. I would also consider adding a few Rebel ES 'lime' to the array. As bright as the white LEDs will be, adding in lime just puts it over the top and is a nice 'missing link' IMHO. A few violet LEDs would round it out and can help to give it a nicer hue.

Your tank is 42" tall, but low-tech, so that works in your favor. I personally always think of tank builds as 24" sections, as braced tanks are usually split like that, so your tank would have four 'sections' 24"x36" to cover. Taking the 42" height into account, you'll probably want to use two cool white and one warm white per section, keeping with O2's total number of 12x LEDs. If you're going to add lime, only add maybe around 16x for the entire tank.

Thank you jedimasterben [emoji4]
Will look into it

Can anyone tell me how many 3W led I need for my tank?