JB`s LED Build Thread

JB · May 28, 2011

Posted By Andy The Reef Guy on 05/28/2011 10:57 PM

Creynolds, I've been researching LED's pretty intensively for the last couple of days, I'm afraid in order to really figure out what you're doing you'll want to do the same. Start figuring out what Forward Voltage, Radiant Flux, and look at data sheets to figure out specral analysis and other specs on different types and colors of LED's.
I think on my 120 I should be able to get away with about 72 LED's all together, look back to see what JB is using but many people suggest using 2 blue's/1 white. Personally I am, and I'm using a mixture of different types of blues and different types of whites too.

You can do all that research, but IMO, you don't really need to. Like many other things, you can spend a lot of time and money trying to squeak out a small percentage increase in performance. The tried and true method (2 royal blue to 1 cool white) gives a lot of bang for the buck and it's pretty easy to implement. It's fine if you want to do all of that extra research, I'm just saying it's not a requirement for DIY LED's.
JB, the PAR output of LED's are super high, so the potential for
burning corals is certainly emminant. Over all they don't produce as
many lumens, but of course this is because the energy is focused into
discrete wave legnths optimized for PAR. I suppose I'm preaching to the
choir, you had just said though that they weren't that bright, and I
wanted to make sure everybody understand this distinction.
Click to expand...

I know that they have a high output, I just don't agree with some of the recommendations that I've seen for running them at 40% or less. They are great, but they are not that great. I've got my fixture over my frag tank running at very high output and all of the corals are very happy.

CREYNOLDS · May 29, 2011

JB-

That's what I was thinking 2 foot sections with 48 per section. I was looking at reef led website, looks like they make a kit with 48 led's and 4 drivers. So the time I upgrade to dimmable drivers and the heat sinks, I will be close to the $480 mark per section. I little more then the T-5's I was looking at getting, they were around $600 to $700 the time I would get the fixture and the bulbs. In the long run it only makes sense to go led's, no worry about about bulb changes every 6 mths or worrying about the heat issue as well. One other question, I will be buliding a canopy for the 120, how far up off the water level would you place the lights? Would you guys also advise to still put a fan in the canopy on the ends to help bring in new cool air, or is the fans on the heat sinks enough to cool the whole system?

JB · May 29, 2011

I would just use the hanging kit's they sell at rapidled.com. The work awesome and let you easily adjust the height to whatever you like. I built some simple brackets using aluminum bar from home depot that allow me to adjust the front to back position easily as well. I have my middle fixture sitting a little futher back since there are no overflows in the middle.
Here's a couple shots of what the fixtures look like in my canopy:
/Portals/0/activeforums_Attach/IMG_4822.jpg
/Portals/0/activeforums_Attach/IMG_4823.jpg
The other thing that I really love about the LED's is how compact they are in my canopy compared to MH Pendants and T5's... If you look at the side shot, you can really see how much room there is in the canopy now... I can easily see a lot more of my tank from the top than I could before.

CREYNOLDS · Jun 1, 2011

I talked with Bill today from reefled. He suggested for my 120 40 leds on a 18" heat sink, that would be 26 blues and 14 whites. So having two would equal a total of 80 leds. He suggested using 3 drivers, two for the blus and one for the white, I was looking at the 40 watt dimmable ones. He also said that he suggest the xpe leds with the 80 degree opticals with it. So with 3 drivers,leds and the heatsinks I would be sitting about just shy of $400 a light, so not bad when I was looking at spending about $700 on a t-5, doesnt make sense to do that at all now.Any thoughts?

JB · Jun 1, 2011

Sounds good to me... Bill is probably a good person to listen to...

stew · Nov 14, 2011

JB-
It's been almost 6 months since you completed the awesome looking LED setup. Hope it's running as well now as it was when you finished the build. After this long is there anything you would do differently or would change?

JB · Nov 14, 2011

Yep, I would have bought better fans. The cheap Chinese fans I bought have all burned out, so I'm going to have to replace them something a little more high quality.

As far as growth, some corals clearly like them more, and a few like them less. For example, my pink birds nest is vibrant pink now. I never got that kind of coloration under my halides. On the other hand, my Miliporas, which grew almost too good under my halides, don't seem to like them at all. I have hunch that it's just too much light for the mili's. I'm going to try moving a few frags to lower in the tank and seeing if they perk up.

My tank temp stays very stable and cool without the need for extra fans, the overall color is about 95% as good as my halides and my electric bill has gone down for the first time since I made the mistake of getting into this hobby... /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

All in all, I'd say I pretty much love them.

Kpotter2 · Nov 15, 2011

I am thinking about putting LED in my 29gal Reef tank. What do you thing would be a good Size to use? Type of LED Qty and so on. I am thinking of building vs buying Corallife or something. I am a Big DIY'er so I will do some research, but wanted some direction first. I am In North Liberty and would love to come take a look at your setup some time.

Thanks

Kyle

JB · Nov 15, 2011

Off the top of my head I'd say you need between 12 and 18 led's for a 29.

Take a look at some of the other people on here who have posted LED builds for their nano tanks (there are several).

The technology is evolving and changing rapidly, so there is probably better information out there now than when I did my build earlier this year.

Kpotter2 · Nov 15, 2011

Ok Thanks. 12 to 24 was what I was thinking so that sound about right. I will keep up looking online for more info. I am thinking a smaller build will be rather easy and Priced right.

Kyle

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