Need ideas on LED lighting

[gonzalez78]

Hello everyone,

I am hoping to upgrade my lights for my 2 gallon tank and need some ideas of what to use. I am just doing softies and want to do LEDs, I currently have a small heatsink about 4"x4" that I am planning on using. Need ideas on what items to use and maybe a good link to get them.

thank you,
Luis

 

[gonzalez78]

Thanks for looking and not posting a reply.

 

[Grant W]

Wanted to at least give you a response. I've never used leds and also never worked with that small a tank. Maybe one of the others can chime in to give some advise. gl

 

[GiantBen]

Why not get a par 38 bulb or something similar?

 

[MHG]

Why not get a par 38 bulb or something similar?

+1, cheap and simple...

 

[GiantBen]

I've got an all blue one that isn't working well over my fuge. If you are interested, PM me and maybe I'll sell it. If you really want to make your own, maybe look into RapidLED to get one of the small kits?

 

[gonzalez78]

The par 38 bulb looks simple but I don't think it would look good over my tiny tank. I will check into rapidLED and hope they have something that will work better. Thanks everyone who posted a reply.

 

[AMAYEU]

Even though you do not like the par 38, take a look at the placement of the LEDs. 5 LEDs, other brands increase 7 etc. I like the 5 LEDs at 3 blue and 2 white for a 20k look. That is ratio. I believe the 50/50 mix is a 15k feel.

At 4x4 heatsink, take a look at the AquaIllumination AI SOL Nano. It's 4.25 x 5.5. Maybe this will give you ideas.

My only concern on DIY, using those led placements, are with the LEDs being too close together with the heat being produced I like wider spacing between or was just taught that way.

I built a DIY 4x9 rapid led kit with a constant current driver. 50/50 mix. Check them out. I did not use there newest plug and play kit but a different one they discontinued. They include a PDF on their site showing you step by step.

I priced compared different sites on pricing. You may be able to get 1 led 50 cts cheaper but it's always shipping that kills you going to mutiiple vendors. I like rapidled as its one stop shopping. There are some things you can get at radio shack or hardware store.

There is a DIY workshop with the northern valley reefer club in Stockton this coming weekend. Pm me if you need the details.

I was running two par38s 20k on a 12 gallon nano with sps. Currently have the 4x9 DIY 12 LEDs on a 34 gallon. I need to add another 4x9, but testing if I can get away with it.

Hope this helps.

 

[gonzalez78]

Thanks everyone,

I have been looking at some par 38 bulbs and their set-up and they look pretty good but the bulb is around $60. I also have been speaking with customer service at rapidLED and they told me I can use one meanwell driver to power all my LEDs or go with 2 moonlight drivers so I can set them up on separate timers. Still thinking about my setup.

 

[AMAYEU]

Typically its roughly 12 leds max for each driver. It really depends and be careful not to overdrive them and get the correct answer. Its all based on the type of driver.

Post pics when you are done Have fun and most of all be safe with the electrical.

 

[gonzalez78]

Typically its roughly 12 leds max for each driver. It really depends and be careful not to overdrive them and get the correct answer. Its all based on the type of driver.

Post pics when you are done Have fun and most of all be safe with the electrical.

Well it's going to be a very small set-up just 4 or 5 LEDs. I am thinking of now of doing 2 soft white and 3 royal blue.

 

[AMAYEU]

That's right... the small pico set up with 4x4 heat sink. Research the web on different color for 5 leds. Their might be discussions on it on other reef forums.

I am using cool white and royal blue, and its pretty typical.

Just a thought and curious how would 1 cool white, 1 neutral white, 2 royal blue, & 1 blue would look?

Well research is the key and finding the right source. Don't ask me about combinations adding violet, green, UV, etc. Have no clue. =)