Minimalistic multichip DIY LED build

[maglofster]

I like how you hid the overflow.

Thanks. The tank is quite bare right now. I'm in the process of converting to Zeo on this tank so I have just started to move some corals over from my other tank. Just two weeks ago the tank was without corals.

 

[007Bond]

Anyone been following this thread? The guys seem to know their stuff. The idea of adding a few colors on a separate driver is interesting. CK. how josephv added some colored led's on the last post #71.

LINK---http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2135914&page=3

 

[maglofster]

It's quite interesting I think. Just look at the Radion product with both red and green leds as well.

 

[007Bond]

Some of their discussion is beyond me, but the general idea/topic of adding just a few different color leds, is interesting.

 

[lomo]

Maglofster, did you buy your LEDs from first or secon link that you posted in post #135 ?

 

[maglofster]

I bought all my LED's from AC-RC.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/50W-Actinic...ultDomain_0&hash=item336aaeaee1#ht_2181wt_922

 

[stormrider27]

stormrider 27, I would like a complete noob guide for your led lights. I am sure i will have varied size tanks to put the leds own. SAo all your help and guidance will be appreciated plus various vendors for the parts. Thanks, Mike384

Mike, I was requesting a noob guide for like you I am new to LEDs. Maglofster was kind enough to make a very detailed video for reefers like us.

 

[maglofster]

So, my new lights have been up and running (with a pause for night and so on ofc) for 36 hours now. Im very happy, halving the total wattage and getting a very attractive light!

 

[007Bond]

Maglofster Hi,
Did you look at that controller info. I sent you? If so, do you think it would work? If it controls the meanwells through the dimming wires, it should work on the driver dimming wires you posted through the e-bay site.---Rick

 

[maglofster]

Maglofster Hi,
Did you look at that controller info. I sent you? If so, do you think it would work? If it controls the meanwells through the dimming wires, it should work on the driver dimming wires you posted through the e-bay site.---Rick

You have a PM! :bounce1:

 

[stormrider27]

Can we see a picture of how you installed the lights above your tank?

Thanks!

 

[bowfront90]

Very excited about this multichip setup! I was considering using 70-80 3W LEDs until I started reading this thread. Now I am considering doing the following.

MY SETUP:
Tanks Dimensions: 72x36x20
LED will be 24 inches from top of aquarium.
LED would replace a 72 inch fixutre with 3x250MH + 4x80T5 = 1070 watt
I have Clams, SPS, LPS, Softy and fish.

Here is what I am planning on doing:

Heatsink:
60x10 vs TWO 25x10 (Heatsinkusa)
Currently leaning towards 2 smaller pieces

LED:
50W Actinic Royal Blue Hybrid LED x 4 (Ebay/led-hk)
10W 455nm Royal Blue LED x 6 (Ebay/luoxiquan)
10W White 15000K 20000K LED x 6 (Ebay/luoxiquan)

Optics: (50W LEDs)
60mm Lens Reflector with Base for 20-100W LED (Ebay/ac-rc)

Adhesive:
Arctic Alumina Thermal Adhesive

Driver:
HLG-100H-36B x 2 (to control 50W leds) (wattsupply)
ELN-60D-48 x 2 (to control 10W leds) (wattsupply)

Cooling:
Multiple CPU Fans (Newegg)

This will be plugged into APEX controller.

Questions:

Is there anything that would make this build LESS expensive, or MORE efficient (ie, less LEDS, different drivers, etc).

Do you think I need to ADD more LEDS? I would like the entire tank to be covered.

I am also considering having 2 vs one BIG heatsinks. Any ideas?

Thanks everyone for your help!!!!

 

[maglofster]

Can we see a picture of how you installed the lights above your tank?

Thanks!

As I am from Sweden and also a (sometimes) cheap bastard I installed the drivers and timers etc inside an IKEA Antonious wire basket ($2.50) and then put the VGA coolers on the underside of it and just hung it up (the drivers are 40 cm's from the surface so they are safe and dry. As I have sort of an open top canopy on top of the tank you don't se the setup anyway and everything is very well ventilated.

My friend Lasse (a very smart reefer) pointed out to med that the fans blowing dry/hot air downwards the surface will help with cooling due to the extra evaporation, just like any fan system.

Anyway, I'll try to sort out some pictures later today.

Wire basket, http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10177606/

 

[maglofster]

My friend Lasse created his own style of multichip solution. It's based on the same chips as I use but with a V8 VGA cooler. http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/cm_v8/


Check it out! http://www.saltvattensguiden.se/for...av-en-LED-ramp&p=449482&viewfull=1#post449482




100 Watt

 

[dkerns06]

Maybe you could give me some advice. I need to replace my HQI bulb soon but I just found this thread and it seems like I could easily retrofit one of these into my current pendant. I have a 54 gallon corner shaped tank and a 250w lumenbright pendant hanging over it. I would like to see about putting in a chip that would match the 14000k bulb in the pendant. So im thinking with these multichip panels I could get a 100w panel and connect to a dimmable driver(in case its to bright), and shouldnt need optics being that it will be in a big reflector anyway. What parts do you think I should buy? I would rather spend the $60 for a new bulb on retrofitting my current pendant.

I found this panel: http://www.ebay.com/itm/100W-Cool-W...271?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc319e66f

and one of these drivers: http://www.ebay.com/itm/85-265VAC-1...359?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item337111454f

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100W-IP67-W...302?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c247ce596

 

[fppf]

Just a thought to try
But why not use a liquid cooling unit instead of these massive heat pipe units?
Something like this
http://www.corsair.com/cpu-cooling-kits/hydro-series-water-cooling-cpu-cooler/hydro-series-h60-cpu-cooler.html

That would really reduce the size of the tank hood, totally remove the noisy fans, and if you live in a hot climate you could route the hoses out of the house and put the radiator outside.

 

[007Bond]

My friend Lasse created his own style of multichip solution. It's based on the same chips as I use but with a V8 VGA cooler. http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/cm_v8/


Check it out! http://www.saltvattensguiden.se/for...av-en-LED-ramp&p=449482&viewfull=1#post449482

100 Watt

Maglofster,
What is the difference in cooling between the v8 and the unit you are using?
The v8 is 6.22 inches tall, yours is 2.2 inches tall. I only have 10 inches from the top of my hood to the top of water. The v8 does not appear to have a fan where the GTX has three. What are the pros & cons on these two? Thanks---Rick

 

[dkerns06]

From someone that builds gaming computers, zalman makes some of the best heat syncs.

 

[007Bond]

Just a thought to try
But why not use a liquid cooling unit instead of these massive heat pipe units?
Something like this
http://www.corsair.com/cpu-cooling-kits/hydro-series-water-cooling-cpu-cooler/hydro-series-h60-cpu-cooler.html

That would really reduce the size of the tank hood, totally remove the noisy fans, and if you live in a hot climate you could route the hoses out of the house and put the radiator outside.

fppf, Have you used this cooler in the past? How far away can you mount the radiator? My equipment room is in the basement, and everything pumps up to the first floor. Could you mount the radiator in the basement and run the supply lines back up to the cooler? Thanks---Rick

 

[dkerns06]

fppf, Have you used this cooler in the past? How far away can you mount the radiator? My equipment room is in the basement, and everything pumps up to the first floor. Could you mount the radiator in the basement and run the supply lines back up to the cooler? Thanks---Rick

I wouldn't, it's made to be mounted a few inches away from a processor. Also it's passive liquid cooling, there's no pump. If you want something with a pump that's all in one there's the thermaltake bigwater, if not thermaltake makes all the parts for custom systems.