LED Recommendation Thread

I just got my custom built tank in and am looking into LED's for lighting this thing. I was originally looking into T5's, but if I can manage to make my own fixture I should end up with a better performing light at a cheaper price.

I need some help in regards to pricing this thing out. I am no where near "knowledgeable" in regards to electrical engineering. From what I've read it looks like basic soldering is all that is needed.... I think I can handle that. Are there instructions anywhere on how to wire this stuff up?

My next question is my tank is not a conventional sized tank. It is 36" x 37" x 18". How many leds and what size heat sink should I go with? I hate to just bust into the thread asking for a shopping list.... but like I said, I'm new to this LED thing.

I've looked into a full LED prebuilt fixture, but at $1700ish minimum.... I think I can build something for much cheaper.

Edit:

Forgot to add... I have an Aquacontroller APEX I will be using on this tank. Is there any way to control a DIY fixture with the APEX?
 
Hi,

I just finished building my frame for a stand that is going to be used as a frag tank. Gotta get some birch plywood and paint to finish that. Then I am going to build an acrylic frag tank measuring 24x24x10.

I wanted to put halides on it, but I am having a heat issue with T5's so I am leaning towards LED's, plus the wifey likes the idea of LED's. Could anyone suggest decent LED lighting please? I can build things so a DIY would maybe work, but a fixture would be best. I appreciate any help.

Justin
 
There is a link to my home page with a summary of the DIY LED build process. Read it and if you have time the whole thing (if not the later ones) and some of the links to other builds. That will give you a good idea of what is going on.
 
From the prelimary information I've gathered, I'd be looking at 120-130 LEDS if I were to build this myself....

That doesn't sound right for a tank that's only 18" tall.

My tank is 36"x37"x18" for reference. I need to be able to keep sps anywhere in that tank.


Any insight?

Also, fixture wise. How do the AI's, Maxspects, etc. do with spreading light width wise?
 
I calculated 90-110. This is what the DIYers would recommend with 1 LED for every 12-15 inches of surface area. There are two issues: coverage and penetration. I agree for a 18 inch tank you don't need penetration, but you have a lot of area to cover and to avoid spotlighting you need more LEDs. I am doing a 150 cube for a friend and we are trying 72 now. 48 did not give good coverage and had some dark spots.
 
TheFishMan65 said:
I calculated 90-110. This is what the DIYers would recommend with 1 LED for every 12-15 inches of surface area. There are two issues: coverage and penetration. I agree for a 18 inch tank you don't need penetration, but you have a lot of area to cover and to avoid spotlighting you need more LEDs. I am doing a 150 cube for a friend and we are trying 72 now. 48 did not give good coverage and had some dark spots.
Click to expand...

+1....around 90
 
I read somewhere that the formulas for led coverage are based on the older LEDs and not xpgs. I think it was wdzm. Who said it but don't quote me. I believe he said one could get away with using about 30% less LEDs when using the newer more efficient versions.
 
In the XR-E days the rule was one for every 10-20 square inches. XP-Gs came out and somewhere I really don't know who started it number of around 1 LED per

20 square inches fish only
18 softies
15 LPS
12 SPS
10 Hard core burn your corals

I don't remember the exact numbers, but they are I think they are in the summary (see my home page)
 
Thanks for the info!

This is the kind of thing that confuses me though lol. Took me a couple hours to find the recommended amount of LED's.... and it turns out the information was 1 or 2 generations outdated >_<;;
 
TheFishMan65 said:
In the XR-E days the rule was one for every 10-20 square inches. XP-Gs came out and somewhere I really don't know who started it number of around 1 LED per

20 square inches fish only
18 softies
15 LPS
12 SPS
10 Hard core burn your corals

I don't remember the exact numbers, but they are I think they are in the summary (see my home page)
Click to expand...

On my 120g 48x24x24 I ended up using 74 total XPE and XPG which is 1 every 16 sq-in and I have them dimmed. (48 x 24)/16 = 72...had to add a couple more to have balanced strings. My acros are mid to high and flourishing, montis mid to low and doing great.....zoo's, brains, plate low. Fish don't care.
 
hey guys what is being use to hang the fixture doing a DIY, still trying to weigh between a Dyi and manf fixture?
 
skyline377 said:
I ran across this on ebay what do you guys think??? The price seems good.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9O5UUSt-GQ
Click to expand...

Not sure about that one, there needs to be more info...

boxer385 said:
hey guys what is being use to hang the fixture doing a DIY, still trying to weigh between a Dyi and manf fixture?
Click to expand...

The same way you would hang a modular fixture, I believe just the two point pendant style kit.

Let's keep the questions coming! Other than questions, let's get some pics, comments, everything! This is an everything LED thread so don't be shy, post some stuff!!! :)
 
hey guys i was perusing Rapidled.com and if anyone is looking to retro a 29g biocube or similar they have a steal of a deal coming this week. It includes everything you could possibly need including heatsink, dimming drivers, and even pre-cut and stripped wire. I already did my cube and spent more than this. For $200 this is a great deal and would also light a 29L too IMO.

http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-DIY-Retrofit-Kits-cln-Nano-Kits/Categories

Thought I'd pass it along for those thinking DIY on something small...this will be about an 1 hour of work to put together.
 
brassmonkyballs said:
hey guys i was perusing Rapidled.com and if anyone is looking to retro a 29g biocube or similar they have a steal of a deal coming this week. It includes everything you could possibly need including heatsink, dimming drivers, and even pre-cut and stripped wire. I already did my cube and spent more than this. For $200 this is a great deal and would also light a 29L too IMO.

http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-DIY-Retrofit-Kits-cln-Nano-Kits/Categories

Thought I'd pass it along for those thinking DIY on something small...this will be about an 1 hour of work to put together.
Click to expand...

Wow your not joking.... it really does come with everything that you need! I just ordered LED's from them for my standard 29g. I spend over $300 and didn't even get my heatsink from them. Of course I did get a 24 LED kit and dimmable drivers and a PWM controller.

This is def an awesome deal for anyone with a 29g biocube!
 
I placed an order for a 72" x 30" x 20" tank. This will be rimless open top with max of 36" from fixture to water level. I like AI Sols. My question is how many do i need and do I line them up end to end across the 72" length or side by side?
I know the AI recommendation is 6 fixtures; do you agree with this estimate? And what about optics? Wouldn't that affect how many fixtures?
 
Last edited:
I currently have a 29g Bc and have been thinking about getting the Reef Brite LED's

Have been checking these out and are curious to know who has them and your thoughts about them? Are they worth the price? did your coral excel w/these? I am thinking about getting a 15" 3w LED antic and possibly a 15" 3w white....any idea what the par readings are for these??? any help/feedback is appreciated


or do you think that this route would be better?
http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-DIY-Retrofit-Kits-cln-Nano-Kits/Categories
 
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