Minimalistic multichip DIY LED build

[007Bond]

90 sounds right to me to avoid spillage,... 60 at that height would most likely bleach, unless your tank was very deep.

 

[007Bond]

I just posted a question to a RC member that bought one of these last October as to how it was working out for him. I'll let you know what he has to say. > http://www.lumled.cn/product/1854443031-214852367/120w_Lumini_Aqua_Asta_120R1_intelligent_programmable_led_aquarium_light_for_3ft_tank.html

 

[themaddhatter]

Here what I got for pricing on the lumia 5.1 version. Non dimmable 95/unit for 3. Dimmable 170/unit for 3. These are with E27 base. You can also order with E40 instead if you have old mogul bases you can retro.

 

[themaddhatter]

I just posted a question to a RC member that bought one of these last October as to how it was working out for him. I'll let you know what he has to say. > http://www.lumled.cn/product/185444...rammable_led_aquarium_light_for_3ft_tank.html

Damn! That's a nice assembly! Good price too. Let me know what they think of it.

 

[hugorsf]

What are the options to drive a 100W led (1 channel only) with separate driver and power supply?


There are no LDD @ 3A, right?

Those cheeap chinese constant current drivers are ok?

 

[themaddhatter]

So, here are the two I'm trying to decide between. The first is the 3 100W non dimmable lumia 5.1 lamps at $95 each. Total $285.00

The second is a 50w option listed by the same vendor here DHL Free shipping 2pcs/lot 50w UFO Led Aquarium Coral Reef Tank Light,Dropshipping
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/DHL-...-Reef-Tank-Light-Dropshipping/1831227712.html. It's basically a blue and white. Same housing and base but they are selling these for $120 for two, so 60 each. I would buy 6 units and have them hung in pairs. In lieu of dimming, I could have three come on first and run for 12 hours and have the second set come on for around 6 hours for midday. This would also help with spreading out the light a bit more evenly, though intensity at the bottom might be a bit lower. This option would cost $360 in total.
I like the idea of the lumias because of the better variety of colours familiar history in the forums. The 50w option will help with power savings and better spread, but with no violets etc, it may appeared a bit washed out. What do you guys think?

 

[themaddhatter]

90 sounds right to me to avoid spillage,... 60 at that height would most likely bleach, unless your tank was very deep.

I think 90 is a safe bet. I'm thinking of mounting them forward bit and angled back at the rock too to get better spread.

 

[007Bond]

Really sounds like you've done your homework...you know the answers already

 

[themaddhatter]

The only thing I'm worried about is acclimatizing corals to the lights. I don't have much right now (4 zoa frags and a flame bta) and the zoa were under 100w leds anyway. Would it be sufficient to have the lights height adjustable and just start high and bring them down bit by bit?

 

[007Bond]

I bought porch plant hangers that work well. They retract up and down to making watering your hanging plants easier. I found them on ebay or amazon,...they are great for light fixtures.

Found the link > http://www.amazon.com/GIVESURPRISE-PULLEY-TV212-retract-Pulley/dp/B00DJ2UWVI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1419969557&sr=8-4&keywords=Retractable+Plant+Hanger

 

[themaddhatter]

Nice! I might give those a go. I've ordered the lumia 5.1 lamps. I'll keep report back when they arrive

 

[007Bond]

Yeah...I'd be interested how they work for you. The other RC guy that I mentioned has not answered back,...I remember when I asked a question before he was rather slow in responding. The fixtures looked pretty cool, and are suppose to work on deeper tanks. My tank is 42" deep... is why I was looking at them. I'll let you know if I hear from him.

 

[themaddhatter]

I got a price on those from the seller. They wanted around 175 each for the Asta 120R1. If I buy three they'd throw in the controller. Way cheaper than retail for that unit. I'm trying the lumias because at that price, if it doesn't work over my 125, I have a 100 gallon 72x18x18 w/o braces, that I may hang them over to use as a frag tank. Worse comes to worse I'm back to DIY my own fixtures in a few months.

 

[007Bond]

Here is the link to that thread,...its pretty long,...started in 2013, so not brand new. the OP is pretty well versed. I was emailing the sellers with questions and getting quick response back.
I got most of the things needed together for diy,... 5up boards, A6211's, fans, ect.,...now these fixtures have me thinking. :lmao:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2338097

 

[themaddhatter]

Got some goodies in the mail!

 

[007Bond]

Cool,...is that the lumia?

 

[themaddhatter]

Yup! Just got the package last night. I just fired up one on a lamp in my bedroom to see hoot looked. I haven't had time to DIY a way to mount them yet, though.

 

[007Bond]

You'll get it figured. Are the different channels just all on, all off.

 

[themaddhatter]

They should be all on 100% as one channel. This does look easily modifiable, though. The base is held on with 3 screws. Worst case, I can remove that, and see if there's room for a 5 up LDD board, or run all the wires to a separate box and just use the screw base as a dead mount.

I'm dying to get one over my tank to see what it looks like though! The light looks very violet in my room, though it's against a tan wall.

 

[007Bond]

Not sure what you will find if you take it apart,...the wiring to each channel is most likely tiny put together with a machine,...if you buy a regular 5 channel they come with prewired 5+ 5- so diyer's can work with them and yes you would need LDD's or some individual power to each channel. Then you need a controller to run the individual channels. Seems to kind of defeat the purpose of just screwing them into a socket.