My DIY LED build!

[harleybmw73]

Do you get any shadowing effects in the tank?

 

[ghellin]

With 24 I do not. The light coverage is very uniform.

 

[jpitts101]

stupid question......... why do you need a heatsink? Arent the LED's very cool running anyway? I dont konw much about LEDs but havent figured out the reason for the headsink.

 

[ghellin]

stupid question......... why do you need a heatsink? Arent the LED's very cool running anyway? I dont konw much about LEDs but havent figured out the reason for the headsink.

The LEDs that I am using are high power 3 watt and are capable of handling up to 1.5 Amps. This generates a fair amount of heat. Typical LEDs that we see and use, generally only handle up to 50 mA and use 1 watt or less. for instance the LEDs in the marineland fixtures are only 1 watt. So the HP LEDs just create more heat so a heatsink is needed. It is common to use oversized heatsinks in the DIY LED world to keep the LEDs as cool as possible, this helps prolong LED life. Since the LED is cool the water does not warm up while the light is on.

hope that helps

 

[ghellin]

Updated pics

 

[Lytehouse]

very nice
you should get come good growth with that lighting

 

[GreenElephants]

That's a beautiful tank!

 

[ghellin]

Thank you!
Here are some updated pics!

 

[Lytehouse]

Compliments to you,

thinks look very happy and healthy

 

[happysak]

Pictures don't do a justice. Greg, your tank is awesome I will start to work on LED strip next week. Stay in touch.

 

[ghellin]

PAR READINGS!
I am amazed by my findings I have over 1000 PAR 1"below the water surface! The average PAR at my sand bed is 150 and close to 250 4" above the sand bed. Here are the results.

 

[happysak]

Greg, great numbers.

 

[ghellin]

Bad pictures from my phone but still an update.

Clown Finally Found then Anenome!

ox eyes or oxides I have heard both.

Favia

Dragon eyes

 

[Lytehouse]

Progress shots show good growth

very nice

 

[ghellin]

More phone pics. These are with the royal blue LEDs on only. Coral color is very close to actual color. Phone cameras just can't pick up the royal blue color however.

 

[papagimp]

I think you burned my retinas. Very awesome!

 

[Lytehouse]

very nice
filling in very well

 

[ghellin]

Thanks guys! I am so happy with the growth I have seen with these LEDs, I only run my royal blues for 9 hours and the cool whites for 3 hours. I am excited about moving to my 58 with the new LED fixture. It will be neat to see different colors with the neutral whites. I am all considering adding a few violets (410nm) for pop!

 

[Lytehouse]

Thanks guys! I am so happy with the growth I have seen with these LEDs, I only run my royal blues for 9 hours and the cool whites for 3 hours. I am excited about moving to my 58 with the new LED fixture. It will be neat to see different colors with the neutral whites. I am all considering adding a few violets (410nm) for pop![/QUOTE]


+1 for violets

 

[ghellin]

Changed out 4 Cool Whites for 4 Neutral whites. It adds more red spectrum and really helps the POP.