Why DIY LEDs?

[kevin_austin]

I've looked at some of the LED builds and I'm wondering, what is the motivation? Is it more for cost savings or getting a particular spectrum? Maybe getting a particular look or fitting them into an existing fixture?

I ask because, looking at the current price of some reasonable LED fixtures, it seems like there isn't all that much cost savings involved. To me, also, those lower cost fixtures look better than some of the custom built fixtures with large heat sinks and fans sitting on the top.

I'm just curious. I used to take the DIY path for lighting, but that was when you had either MH or as many T12 or T8 bulbs packed together as you could over your tank.

I also remember DIY skimmers made from white pipes. However, I don't see much of that any more.

Will DIY LEDs go the way of the dodo as LED prices come down?

 

[km1das]

I can't seem to figure it out either. Last summer I started trying to build an LED light and I decided to try making a 12 inch fuge LED first to see if it would be worth it, thankfully I did because it is totally not worth it money wise. I think one of the problems for me is that when I DIY something, I want it to be as good as a commercially available product, so between custom PCB's, custom aluminum enclosure, built in arduino controller and everything else, it just ended up being so much money that I gave up on it and have decided that when it comes to reef electronics, it's more expensive to DIY it, and to me, this hobby is already expensive enough, so I'll save my money and go buy a cheaper DIY. Just my .02. Thanks.

 

[kevin_austin]

Now, I almost always build my own stands -- I don't trust those cardboard stands that come with many aquariums.

 

[reefermad619]

I diy to say I built it, learn about something new, make exactly what I WANT and the saving money is nice too. But it all depends on what kind of light you trying to create. My tank is 84"x30"x24"H. To use Radions I'm looking at 4 of the xr30 pros. Hydra 52 I'm looking at 4. So between $2400-$3Gs. I'm going the "evil cluster" route. I'm building 4 fixtures. Each fixture will have 2 led clusters consisting of 11-14 LEDs. So that's minimal soldering. Compared to using probably 150, 3 watt LEDs. When all is said and done, I'll get better quality LEDs, I'll have great drivers and power supplies, and I'll be able to know how to fix it if something goes wrong. All of this and should be under the $1200 mark. Now I've built fixtures before. So soldering is not new to me. And should go fairly quick once I get the assembly plans down.

Now if I were using reefbreeders/reef radiance/ocean coral revive, as my comparison fixture, I'd defiantly just buy from them. It's cheaper and no skill is involved with placing an order. But with those, who knows what you're getting. They're good lights and will definitely get the job done. But that's not what I'm shooting for.

Now I have to say, if I couldn't diy, I still would not buy a hydra or radion. I'd rather buy a cheaper fixture and spend the money on coral/fish. Plus with smaller tanks it a lot easier to fork over $600 for a light than it is $2400.

 

[supra400hptt]

I feel I've gotten better results than the most expensive fixtures by DIY. As LED became popular they were advertised as lasting 10 yrs +. While the actual LED might last that long, technology is advancing rapidly. Not willing to spend $1200~1500 on a pair of fixtures when something better will be out in 12 months. With my DIY I can change LEDs, drivers, or the controller for minimal cost whenever I want as advancements take place. Just depends on the person. Some people don't have the time, knowledge, patience, etc. to DIY. I've spent less than half compared to the best prebuilt fixtures available and can upgrade/make changes without starting from scratch.

 

[vpaul79]

DIY is also fun. I enjoy crafting something different with your hands and ultimately achieve a working result. The satisfaction of achieving something you normally don't ever do is worth the extra cost

 

[karimwassef]

It is a cost to performance play.

You can buy low cost, low/average quality fixtures or extremely high cost, good quality fixtures. Looking good and being good (reliability, noise, efficiency) are different things.

A DIY is worthless if you're competing with a low cost, low/average quality fixture. You'll lose money trying to compete because they can buy at a better scale.

But - if you want a good performance product at an average cost, DIY gives it to you. None of the ready fixtures offer that. They're either cheap and mediocre or insanely expensive and good. I just want the good at a better price.

Plus - I have fun doing it and I get to customize it to my preferences. Over time, I can also add more hooks into it to do new things as the technology evolves.

 

[Rot26]

I don't think the answer has to be specific to LEDs. You DIY because that's the kind of person you are. Sometimes it is because of the cost, but usually, so long as the cost difference isn't ridiculous, people who like to DIY, do, and those that don't, don't.

I built my sump and refugium, plus stand and plumbing, but I bought the parts that made sense to buy. It was way cheaper to buy 10g tanks than to make them. My setup fit my stand much better than anything I could have bought pre-made.

It took more time and isn't as pretty as a manufactured version, but if I need to upgrade or change anything, I can. I don't need to replace the whole setup.

 

[perkint]

For me, there are 4 huge reasons.

1. I can build it to fit in the lid I have. No off the shelf will do that without some DIY, so there is no option to buy, plug in and go (without losing the lid, which I don't want to do)

2. As has been said, DIY is more expensive than cheapo, but not more expensive than buying the equivalent of what I will build.

3. I can build one that puts out more light for less power than most, if not all, off the shelf units (I think Lani may be the exception). If you under drive LEDs, you get more light per watt and less heat. But you pay more to build it (which is why most manufacturers don't do it as it'd put up the costs of their product without any more light).

4. It's fun

And you can make DIY units with a smart and fairly professional finish, it just puts the cost up a bit more...

Tim

 

[lars65inc]

I have to have my "projects." Saving money is certainly a factor, but I think building it your self gives you a deeper understanding of what you have and it also makes you enjoy your set up a little more.

And, I enjoy building things.

Eric

 

[Poseidon]

I recently completed a DIY LED Project, and for me, there was not a commercially available unit that fit my appearance requirement, and the budget. Yes, ReefBrite makes a very similar unit, but not in the exact 14.25" length that I needed.


This is from the rear right corner of the tank, so you can see the wiring.


From the front of the tank pointing up.


From the front of the tank, back about 6 feet. I have fixed the lean to the left already.

More pictures can be found here:
http://splitsecond.smugmug.com/Aquariums/Luxeon-DIY-Build/i-X4DjhVn

 

[mrbnx]

When I made my DIY, there weren't nearly as many options as there are now. Now that I'm upgrading, I'm still going DIY because I'll get to blend the lighting I want to exactly my specifications and control. If you're the type of person that doesn't care for tinkering and maximum control, DIY won't typically be for you.

 

[geckoejon]

i think it depends on the individual and their taste.

personally, i priced the diy, high dollar fixtures, and the reef breeders. the diy would have ended up costing more and not looking as good as the rb, imo. the high dollar fixtures all seemed to go with the hockey puck style clusters, and i don't care for the look they put off. just a personal preference. they also are twice as much as rb, and don't see the evidence that warrants it, imo.

i ended up going with a pair of rb photon 16's on my 75g and a 32 on my 50g. i have never regretted it! i get a compact clean look, excellent shimmer, controllability, makes my coral colors pop, and great growth! what more could i want? oh yah... half the price of a high dollar fixture. i know... some people like to bash them because they are less expensive, but i have not seen any tanks with high dollar fixtures that would lead me to believe there is anything worth the price difference, or make me want to change mine out. maybe i just haven't seen the right tank???

i have a diy kit for a fuge just to tinker with. i will get my diy fix on it. lol

i have a buddy that had kessils on his 90g. he kept coming over, looking at the way my rb's lit up the tank, and recently sold the kessils and went with a diy kit. lol

that said, if you had a hood that you wanted to retrofit or a different size requirement, it might be advantageous to go diy.

it's all about personal preference and the individual need...

 

[Soundwave]

When I started the craze, it was all about cost. You are correct that costs have dropped all over the board. Way back when... all that was really available was the solaris fixture. It sucked. I did mine to share with the masses on how to do their own and save a ton on electricity. I have moved away from the DIY segment and switched to Kessil.

Today, going DIY gives you control over specific spectrum and fitment. It's not really about cost as much. You also get the satisfaction of saying "I built that".

 

[Amoo]

I love DIY, but man with being able to customize Reefbreeders, they even sell the diodes in whatever spectrum you want so you can DIY them, it's pretty hard to beat that for what you pay out.

This is of coarse assuming the PAR value is high enough for whatever you're trying to grow. For someone like me who just wants some Nems and Zoas, Poly...etc, really hard to beat.

 

[greenfish]

I DIY everything I can on my tank due to cost issues. Its way cheaper for me to build it than buy it. My LED lights would have been a couple grand but I built them for much less. Plus I get the satisfaction knowing I built it. DIY also allows me to learn more about the equipment in my system from design to function.