Schnitzels DIY LED/T5 Hybrid

[SchnitzelReef]

I've been running a t5/led hybrid for about 2 years now. It's a retrofit setup in my 180g. I'm running 90-3w Bridgelux LEDs, and 4-80w t5s. 3-Blue+ and 1-Coral +, run off a Coravue 660 ballast. I've been getting awesome results from my SPS, and Lps.

Here's a pic of my setup
View attachment 271593

I just got my new tank all setup. It's a 250g (96"x30"x21")

LEDs:
155-3w Phillips Luxeon LEDs
85-royal blues
45-cool blues
10-4500k whites
15-hyperviolet 2.0 (420nm)
Drivers:
11-Meanwell ELN 60-48D

1- heat sink 91"






View attachment 271589

Running whites on 1 channel, and the rest of the LEDs will be on a second channel. These will all be dimmed/controlled from my apex

T5:
6-80w T5s (4- Blue +, 2-Coral+ )

Ballasts:
2-Coralvue 660

Hoping tomorrow I'll finish the fixture and get it mounted.

 

[maddmaxx]

by chance got a full tank shot with the lights on...maybe even a series of pics with just T5s, just LEDs, and with both on....

 

[SchnitzelReef]

by chance got a full tank shot with the lights on...maybe even a series of pics with just T5s, just LEDs, and with both on....

Unfortunately I do not. Once my new light is all setup, I'll post some pics like your saying.

 

[pandimus]

what was the size of old tank?

 

[pandimus]

also how did you run 4 bulbs off one 660 ballast?

 

[SchnitzelReef]

what was the size of old tank?

also how did you run 4 bulbs off one 660 ballast?

180. 6x2x2'
The 660 can run 2,3,or 4 bulbs.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Trying to find a clean way to wire all these drivers. Any suggestions? I'm looking for some sort of distribution block to wire all these drivers to my apex dimming cable

 

[pandimus]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0006O96KU?pc_redir=1396003467&robot_redir=1 this should work with two channels

 

[pandimus]

I used something similar to this. It was away from the humidity though http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_207572_-1

 

[SchnitzelReef]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0006O96KU?pc_redir=1396003467&robot_redir=1 this should work with two channels

I used something similar to this. It was away from the humidity though http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_207572_-1

Awesome. Thanks. Any pics of your setup? That second link will not distribute between the terminals without jumpers. Correct?

 

[pandimus]

No pics I only needed four positions. Yes these you jumper one side and you have a whole row. But I'm trying to find another kind that has a tab you break off and it connects the terminals.

 

[pandimus]

I saw on socalireefs you mentioned putting it on top of your canopy. That's what I did. And no one could see it unless they were walking up the stairs. I'll try to find a pic. I didn't have meanwell I used external power supplies and cat4101 boards.

 

[pandimus]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2158724

Page two shows my electronics on canopy

 

[SchnitzelReef]

I saw on socalireefs you mentioned putting it on top of your canopy. That's what I did. And no one could see it unless they were walking up the stairs. I'll try to find a pic. I didn't have meanwell I used external power supplies and cat4101 boards.

Ya I was thinking that would work pretty nicely. I was also thinking of mounting it under the stand, but it would be nice to keep it away from the humidity and possible water spills.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

 

[pandimus]

Looking good. What kinda t5 ballast are those? That's a whole lotta meanwell

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Looking good. What kinda t5 ballast are those? That's a whole lotta meanwell

They are ATI ballasts, 2x80w t5.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

View attachment 272950

View attachment 272952

 

[AcMonster]

Where did you get that heatsink? Are you running any fans on it?

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Where did you get that heatsink? Are you running any fans on it?

One of my buddy's dads uses these aluminum paneling pieces for his business. Doubles as a heat sink. Lol. Got it for free

Right now I don't plan on running fans directly on the heat sink. However, I will be running 2 fans on the backside of my canopy pushing air into the canopy. I did it this way on my old setup and it worked great. Kept the heat sink warm, and the t5 bulbs never got super hot. Keeping air moving around the heat sink seems to keep it cool enough. Also my new tank is only 21" tall, so I might not run these LEDs at 1000ma. I might just stick with like 800-900ma. That way they won't get so hot.