Multichip build for my 10'x3'x4' tank

[Lassef]

Are you satisfied with the dimming function? Do you know the constant current region for HLG-185-36?

Sincerely Lasse

 

[garbled]

I am thrilled with the dimming functionality of the HLG's. The manual on them seems to indicate there is a range of 2.2 to 5.2amps. I don't buy it though. I think that is for the A version with the potentiometers, not the B version. When sunset kicks off they dim to almost non-visible. They wouldn't be that dark at 2.2 amps. While it is hard for the eyes to pick up the difference between say, 75 and 50, I'm reasonably certain it's occurring. Here, look at this data:

24hr amp draw, dark color is LED-dedicated EB8:

And 48hr draw:

While I don't trust the EB8 fully to tell me the right amperage, I do trust that it's not telling me 0amps when it should be 2 or so. That graph clearly shows a smooth power ramp from nothing to something and back again.

For the curious, those big block jumps in the graphs are the heaters coming on. Previously not a problem with the halides. However, I upgraded from not nearly enough light, to more than enough, so, it's not apples to apples.

Previous to the LED's, I was running 1 400W MH, and 1 250W MH. (didn't even cover the tank), now I have 4x185W LED (running at 75%).

You can easily see what that has done to the tank temperature:

And more concretely, what it did to the ambient temp in the tankroom:

 

[nebraskareef]

Wow, thanks for posting all of these pictures and information, I'm trying to decide what is best for my purposes for my 180g with Apex and you've made a really good argument for the multichip units

Thanks for posting your code for the clouds too, can't wait!

 

[mpf]

Wrong thread - sorry!