Large LED Build Design Question

[addonnis242]

Thanks DWZM for the response.

Now that I think I have the bulk of my questions answered would anyone care to look over my parts list and tell me if I missed something? I'd like to start buying components within the next two weeks.

Primary Items:
2x 15"x30" Heatsinks
2x Meanwell SP-320-24
28x 3023-D-E-1000mA Wired BuckPucks
84x Cree XP-G Cool Whites
84x Cree XP-E Royal Blues

Misc. Items:
4x Project Boxes
solder
stranded wire

Again thanks to everyone who has helped me with this.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Screws, heatsink goo, (or thermal epoxy instead of those two), heat shrink, connectors if you want to disassemble, etc. Get good, pretinned wire with good insulation, not Rat Shack junk.

Are you SURE you want to use XP-E for the cool whites? Switching to XP-G won't cost much more, and you can drop your white LED count by 20 - 30% for the same overall effect and intensity, which reduces longterm costs.

 

[addonnis242]

DWZM I intend to use the XP-G cool whites, I have 84 of them listed in my parts list. Can I really use 20% fewer cool whites over my 215 gal? What type of spacing would I need to be at to drop 20% oh and just for reference I like a 14k -20k look to my tank.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Sorry, missed that - saw XP-E in your original list above.

If you are using XP-G, you will most likely WANT fewer of them than your XP-E royal blues, otherwise you might end up with a tank that's too white (assuming both are run at the same current). It's really up to you - but it seems most people that mix XP-G whites with XR-E or XP-E blues end up more like 60/40 instead of 50/50. The XP-G is definitely more efficient, so dropping your numbers a bit compared to a typical all XR-E build is fine.

Spacing - don't get hung up on it. Just spread things out evenly and go for it.

Another thought - since you'll be investing a lot in this build, it might make sense to order the parts for one "chunk" of your final build (i.e. two or four buckpucks' worth of LEDs) and try out some different ratios, spacing, etc. You can always re-use those parts in your final build, and it'll give you a feel for what actual ratio you want in the end.

 

[addonnis242]

Thanks DWZM very good advice. I will buy the components to play with and see just what I like.

Thanks again.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

FWIW when I was planning on "edge to edge" lighting in my 360g, I was shooting for about the same overall LED count you have, so I think you'll have plenty of lighting for sure.

 

[addonnis242]

DWZM in your opinion do you think I should reduce the total LED further than the 20% reduction due to using the XP-Gs? I have read that most people with issues feel the LEDs are too powerful thus causing over exposure issues with corals. Lets just say you were building a system for a 72x24x24 215gal with SPS mid way down and Clams on the sandbed for edge to edge lighting what would you do?

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I think you'll be on the high end of the spectrum, regarding overall intensity, especially since you're talking about 1000mA buckpucks. You could probably drop down to 700mA buckpucks and be fine.

There's also the question of optics, and mounting height above the tank.

 

[addonnis242]

I was thinking 18-20" above the tank is about as high as I could go in my canopy so I figured I'd use 60 degree optic on all the LEDs I had also considered going with no optics at the same 18-20" height. I could always do a step up type system, start with 144 LEDs and move up if I feel its not enough. that would take away alot of the guess work I suppose.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

18" - 20" on a tank that deep I would absolutely use optics. 60's or 40's. If you go that height, medium optics, and 1000mA drivers, you could probably reduce your count to 144 and be fine.

 

[addonnis242]

That sounds great DWZM I will start planning for 144 total LEDs at 60/40 XP-E to XP-G I will get a few strings worth of items and play around to see if I can find a color I like.

Thanks again DWZM for taking the time to help me out with this.