Led refugium lighting questions--pls help!!!!

[jjmccloud2011]

Hi everyone I've tried searching for my answer but haven't had much luck getting what I need so I wanted to ask in hopes someone will know what I need to know so here goes...I'm wanting to upgrade my lighting to a DIY led fixture mainly because space issues and the low profile will work great plus I wanna eventualy have my main lighting DIY led anyway I'm wondering how many 3w leds and what color combos would u recommend my fuge is a 12"x12" area about 18" deep I currently have chaeto but may switch to caulerpa or something idk yet but I'm not sure on wattage and how many id need or even what colors are working best for others so any help is greatly appreciated thx in advance
Oh yea if its important I have a 3" sugar grain dsb in it with a 1 1/2" bed of miracle mud so I have about 14" of water figured id add that in case depth for the quantity of leds mattered in this situation thx again looking forward to your replies

 

[slief]

I'd recommend you not bother with a DIY fixture for your fuge. Get yourself a 10W Led fixture like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Security-LE...702?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5657e2f756

It's the right Kelvin and is very powerful. Im running 4 of them on my 30"x38" fuge and my mangroves like them inspite of the fact that my fuge is covered and their growth is stunted as a result.

 

[TimeConsumer]

Or you can look into some of the multichip LED grow lights on ebay, they have 30w multichips with red and blue LEDs that go for about $18. Pair it with a cheap driver, heatsink, potentiometer, and such for a few dollars more and you have an insanely powerful chip for around $50.

 

[jjmccloud2011]

ok thx guys ill look into those options


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[jarrod13]

I'd recommend you not bother with a DIY fixture for your fuge. Get yourself a 10W Led fixture like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Security-LE...702?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5657e2f756

It's the right Kelvin and is very powerful. Im running 4 of them on my 30"x38" fuge and my mangroves like them inspite of the fact that my fuge is covered and their growth is stunted as a result.

I don't mean to hijack but would this light work well on a 10g fuge (standard dimensions) with caulpera?

 

[slief]

I don't mean to hijack but would this light work well on a 10g fuge (standard dimensions) with caulpera?

I would think so. It has pretty good spread and 6500K is a color for algae and plants.

 

[jarrod13]

Thank you

 

[silverwolf72]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10W-20W-30W...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3a7f94512e
These are the same design but are a grow light

 

[MrineLfRlz]

I'd recommend you not bother with a DIY fixture for your fuge. Get yourself a 10W Led fixture like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Security-LE...702?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5657e2f756

It's the right Kelvin and is very powerful. Im running 4 of them on my 30"x38" fuge and my mangroves like them inspite of the fact that my fuge is covered and their growth is stunted as a result.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10W-20W-30W...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3a7f94512e
These are the same design but are a grow light

Does anyone know how hot these run?
Also would one be to much for 17x18 area fug i was going to have it around 12" above the top of the water

 

[slief]

Does anyone know how hot these run?
Also would one be to much for 17x18 area fug i was going to have it around 12" above the top of the water

Mine run cool to the touch on the top side. Never touched the bottom side but they built into a cast aluminum body which really helps dissipate any heat generated by the LED.

 

[ca1ore]

If you are just planning to keep algae in your fuge then the 660nm/blue grow bulbs work really well. But if you think it might be the occasional home for a fish or invert then the 6500K approach is better.

 

[MrineLfRlz]

ok i purchased the 6500k led we will see how it does for the price though i had to try it.

 

[96slowbra]

I'd recommend you not bother with a DIY fixture for your fuge. Get yourself a 10W Led fixture like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Security-LE...702?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5657e2f756

It's the right Kelvin and is very powerful. Im running 4 of them on my 30"x38" fuge and my mangroves like them inspite of the fact that my fuge is covered and their growth is stunted as a result.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10W-20W-30W...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3a7f94512e
These are the same design but are a grow light

I am going to add a 40 breeder to my system as a fuge, how many of these should i run? I have never seen these before, i was planning on building something with the home depot par 38 bulbs.