**Lighting upgrade**

[PL-Reef]

I finally got around tearing apart my led on my 90g 30"×30"×25". Currently been running 2 6"×9" banks of leds. 12 3w crees on each, 48 total. 12UV, 12CW, 12RB, 8B, 2G, 2R. Honestly I'm just not happy with them for various reasons. In the past I've run MH, T5s or a combo of both with absolute great success. Absolutely stronger growth rates and beautifully colorful corals. Currently most of my coral color up poorly and have very slow growth rates. Minus a few exceptions. Although some color nicely, then on the other hand I have others that are doing horrible. Almost in a stagnant stage of non growth. No growth what so ever 8 months later on some. I'm not saying its all due lighting but I believe it has a big impact on color and growth rates. All my parameters are in check at very acceptable levels. While I love being able to adjust the color temp from 6700k to 2200k, im just not getting what I want out of them.. Its time to make a change. Just a little of both.
What I've decided to do is build a canopy to match my existing stand. Inside there will be 4 ATI 24w T5s. 2 aqua blue special and 2 coral plus. A long side to the T5s there will be 2 3"×9" heatsink banks of leds 24 total, a combo of royal blue and cool white. Im still throwing around the idea of installing 16 UV leds threw out the canopy as well. I love the pop they make on the corals.
So far the canopy minus the crown and bead molding is done. All T5 bulbs, end caps, standoffs, individual parabolic reflectors, wiring and ballast are installed. 12 leds are installed and soldered on each of the 2 3"×9" heatsink banks that are also installed.
Ive taken a bunch of pics of the whole process. PROMISE PHOTOS TOMORROW.!!!!!!..... haha.

 

[Chriskid]

can you fit a metal hallide in there somewhere? .. why not go with all three.

 

[fitch4]

Jas-
I love having you back in the hobby!

 

[Tweaked]

Sweet. Liking the t5/led combo and have been contemplating the power module for my 30g acrylic build. Can't wait for pics

 

[Useful_Idiot]

Good setup IME. I agree with you on coloration I saw a big improvement when I added my t5's. You'll have to do tank pics now and in 3 months. I run 2 AI super blues 4 blue+ 2 coral+. I was running 4 coral+ and 2blue + but I think I like the tank a little more blue.

 

[PL-Reef]

can you fit a metal hallide in there somewhere? .. why not go with all three.

Lol I wish. 30"×30" foot print limits me on what can be added.

 

[PL-Reef]

I'll post up photos tonight.

 

[PL-Reef]

Jas-
I love having you back in the hobby!

Thanks brother! If it wasn't for Scott (Cato), Keith (argi) and yourself I wouldnt be reef keeping again. For that I cant thank you guys enough.
But theres much more to come. Possibly a 200/300 DD in my future. I just have a small obstacle in my way...... (Renee)..... But slowly and carefully im working on it..... lol.

 

[PL-Reef]

Photos as promised

Photos as promised

I got to finish up my lights tonight. I'm sick of soldering at this point...... I added 12 more blue leds tonight.
Heres some shots right from the beginning.
T5 fitting

reflectors installed

 

[PL-Reef]

I ripped apart my 6"x9" heatsinks and cut them in half.

All leds installed

2 afternoons of soldering and fitting and this is what I came up with.

 

[PL-Reef]

Here's all the leds and T5s in.

Just Royal Blues

Just Cool White

Just Blues

Just T5s

Everything!

 

[PL-Reef]

Next thing I need to do is organize my wires, trim and crown canopy, match stain and clear coat and properly hang the new fixture. Right now the canopy is sitting on a ghetto rigged 2 3/4" sticks resting across the top of the tank with the canopy sitting on them...... Tomorrow I'm going to start building the hanging unit. I'm going to try to make the top anchor to the ceiling and make the canopy adjustable in height. I don't want to have to go threw a big *** hassle every time I need to go into the tank.

 

[Chriskid]

I have Chrome aircraft cable for hanging lights with connectors if you need some.

 

[sassAwrasse]

Looks good! Should hire you to solder/build us an LED. LOL.

 

[PL-Reef]

Thanks Chris. I might take you up on that.

 

[PL-Reef]

Looks good! Should hire you to solder/build us an LED. LOL.

Its real easy. I have all the tools if you guys need a hand sometime.

 

[triggreef]

Jas if you haven't done the uv leds yet, I wouldn't. I had them on my 72 and everything seems better without. Bridgelux makes an actinic led though that is just a tiny bit higher than real uv that should give you the same pop, but not as dangerous of a spectrum. Also if you go without optics, imo you get a better spread with much fewer leds, but there's a sacrifice of a small bit of par down low in the tank without the optics.