Reef Discussion

[ifyalucky]

Hi Everone

i m new to this i m just in process in setting up my first tank i have a 4'x2'x1.5' tank with a 3'x1.5'x1.5' sump i was thinking of using led lighting as i m on a budget i was going to look at the bridgelux led but have had a few people say i should look at using cree but only have a small budget trying to keep cost down on this build as i only start out so what are your thoughts people???

 

[MTG]

the cheaper bridgelux leds are allright for an entry level system. although the cree leds are of a much higher quality. they put out more lumen per wat. what makes them more effective using the same amount of power.
for diy led setups i can recomend www.rapidled.com
a 36 led kit would be suffice for that size tank.

if you were interested in the premade route and on a budget look at the 120w cree led units sold by itzmatty
http://www.amdbulbs.com/site/

if you chase the diy round try change the leds around so you get a mix of cool white warm white blue and royal blue.

personaly i like the royal blues so i add more royal blues then blues and more blues then whites in the ratio of 3b per 1w. i would also make the whites dimable. (thats my personal preference alot of people go 1-1)

 

[Jonny Glover]

Cres definetly.

 

[MTG]

i like this kit.
http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-58/36-Ultra-Premium-LED/Detail

• 18 Cool White Cree XP-G R5 LEDs

• 18 Royal Blue Cree XP-E LEDs

• 36 Cree XP-E/XP-G Lenses (Choose from either 40, ~60 or 80 degree lenses)

• 3 Mean Well ELN-60-48P dimmable drivers or 3 Mean Well ELN-60-48D dimmable drivers

• 1 Arctic Alumina Thermal Adhesive or 1 tube of Thermal Grease

• 6 water resistant wire nuts

• 3 power cords (US + Canada orders only)

• 35 pieces of pre-cut wire

315$ + postage, i would mix up the leds abit tho cool white warm white blue and royal blue, and stick dimmers on it so its dimable ;)

 

[Jonny Glover]

Not bad i might get a couple of these kits for my new tank.

 

[MTG]

It definitely is an easy way to get everything

 

[Jonny Glover]

yeah i looked at cutters but their site is confusing.. Anyway what is nm part all about?

 

[MTG]

wavlength of the light emited.
the bins on the light also have somthing to do with it. you would have to talk to someone thats realy into diy leds.

 

[Jonny Glover]

Ahh i see. What does the wavelength do? Is this how intense it is?

 

[MTG]

have a read of this link, it is very interesting
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html

 

[Jonny Glover]

It owuld be cool if i could have a led of all those colours

 

[MTG]

that wouldnt be to good as you would get horible algae growth. expecialy with that high of the red spectrum.

 

[Jonny Glover]

haha yeah i didn't mean aquarium.. i could make some reaper lights and chuck them on with my suround sound

 

[MagicJ]

LED's are available in all those colours Jonny - you can also get tri-colour leads (Red, Blue and Green) where you can adjust each individual colour to create any colour you want.

 

[Jonny Glover]

That could be useful. I'm going to buy a set of these guys for my frag tank and ill see how they go. Wait till you see my soldering skillz boys :p

 

[MTG]

hope you have home insurence i have a feeling there will be a claim regarding a house fire soon :worship

 

[Jonny Glover]

I'm not buying the reds etc just Cool whites and xpeg royal blues. Trust me and my soldering ;) it's pretty neat

 

[MTG]

is this going to be for your tank?

 

[Jonny Glover]

Yes it's for the frag tank. Just mainly a experiment.

 

[MTG]

vern bought some cheap chinease 3w leds, i helped him do a diy job for his nano, they turned out decent for the price. we used meanwell dimable driver to power them but he saved heaps using the cheaper LEDS. for a frag tank i cant see why you cant use the cheap ones!