Thanks Evil for the answer, makes sense. I'm debating right now if i need that much added fluorescence to my system. I have always wanted 'just a little more' light to the front end of my system, which is why I had asked about the whites (or the better setup you had suggested of 2 whites and a blue), but as it seems like you're going to be inundated with requests, I wouldn't want to burden you with something added like this. Looks like a project for me to learn!

Well I'm getting it regardless. Just wanted to ask.

Looks interesting - the black anodizing would be important IMHO.

It will definitely look better, but if I can't get the volume, the price of each unit has to go up to get it done.

how many units would be required to fulfill a Black Anodized GB?....
I definately want a Black one

can't wait for this! i'll be ordering two to help with the push towards free black anodizing.

I would be interested in a black anodized two strip (one power source). How many do you need to get to get the price down?

thanks

Won't be able to bring the price down any more even if the quantity gets super huge. My cost on materials dosn't change until I get into the hundreds.

For annodizing, I would say 20-25 units would be the minimum to get it cost effective where I don't have to increase the price. That is, unless you guys would be able to swallow an extra $5 per unit to cover the annodizing if we don't get enough? I don't think it will be an issue though.

Hello Evil,

From one who has prodded you, sometimes mercilessly, for new led products, thank you very much for your ongoing design.

I have a request and a question:

1) At your convenience, would you please post a frontal picture of your BC 14 with the Sunpod and LED unit sitting on top. A picture like the first in this thread but backed up a few steps so that the Sunpod and LED are also visible in their operating position.

2) You mentioned in passing that the Current Powerbright is underpowered. Is there a quick and easy way to power one to its capacity?

Regardless of whether or not I order this device, I appreciate your work. I'd be curious what you could do with a Viper. (Sorry, couldn't resist. )

Makes sense - I will be signing up for one. And I would want it to be black - fwiw.

Keith

Thanks for the response Evil. Two units spiced together would be perfect! Black would be prefered so I guess I'll see you Monday and see if we got enough people!

1. I'll see what I can do.

2. Powerbrites only use 1W LEDs, so they are limited in that regard. It's possible they could be pushed farther with some mods, but I don't know by how much.

Would one unit be enough for a nano cube 24g?

Two would do much better. The extra depth won't be covered real well by one.

Very cool

Sign me up for 2 as well!!!

well as cool as these are and as bad as i want 2 for my solana, i will have to wait til the next GB as funds are short at the moment

but when the next GB rolls around i want them in black and preferably spliced together with 1 power source that would be sweet!

Too bad, but I understand. See you on the next one. I'll save you a spot

What would be the estimated turn around time. I know you said the GB would be open for 2 weeks but how long after we pay can we expect a package in the mail

Figure about 3 weeks after the GB closes. It will take about a week to get parts, then assembly. LED and lens orders will ship out as soon as I get them obviously, but the actinics, pico LEDs lamps, and whatever else is ordered will ship as soon as possible.

its the 20th in australia Time for gb? Hahah


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Was worth a shot

evil, you mentioned that you would warranty these LED Actinics...
could you elaborate on what the warranty would be and for how long please?
thanx!

I don't think I mentioned it specifically on this part (I did on the 12" fixture), but I will warranty it for 6 months. It will last a lot longer than that, but if there is a failure that is relaited to manufacture defect (LED, or my own construction mistake) then I will take care of it. Beyond that, I will help you out as much as I can to get it repaired.

Anyway, these are now available in the group buy.

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=194886

This looks like a great product! It's more-or-less what I wanted to do to my BC-14 before I went with all LEDs. The Cree LEDs will destroy all other actinics, in my opinion. I did a test with 2 royal blue LEDs compared to my 27w actinic PC bulb and there was no comparison. The colors under the RB LEDs is so extreme and vibrant. It will even make your ugly corals pop w/ color you didn't know existed. Here's a demo vid I did a while ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daBkLhXIxag...re=channel_page

Unfortunately, you can't really capture the colors on camera (at least not my gear ).

Evil,

I have a RSM, what LED retro would you recommend? I have always wanted the MH shimmer and light intensity but want to stick with the stock hood and low heat, ie no chiller.

Thanks!

Are you looking for something pre-packaged, or are you willing to build it yourself? I'm assuming you are talking about doing a complete LED retrofit.

hi evil...
I also have a BC14 like you with a 70W Sunpod fixture...
so my question to you is do you recommend a single (front mounted) fixture or would there be any benefit to using a dual unit (front & back mounted) ?.....

also, is there any "tilt" angle on these units or do they project light straight down?

thanks!
C

A single on a BC14 will be enough to cover about 90% of the tank. The adjustment screws allow the unit to tilt in a little to get the most coverage, so it's not perfectly straight down in this situation. Wider tanks you would clamp it and run two. You can run two if you like. It will just give you more blue (which can be dialed down), and more complete coverage. Even at 90% it looks good.

This is almost perfect for the 70W Sunpods, as the bulb selection isn't as great as a 150W. You can now dial in the perfect color.

excellent!...thanx evil...
I'm off to the GB thread now!!!

What would adding two of these pre-packaged units to with my current setup do? How much expense and effort would it take to do a complete LED retro? Im open to your ideas and appreciate your expertise.
Thanks!

These will not do well in a hot enclosed area. They don't have the surface area to deal with that kind of heat. You can add LEDs in other ways (using larger heatsinks), but typically the effort required to cram them into small spaces outweighs the benefit produced by them. Many times it's more effective to go with a complete LED replacement to get the most out of it.

I got my retrofit LED fixture for my pico from Evil and the Royal Blue LEDs are the best I've seen anywhere. They bring the best colors out of your corals that you have to really see to believe. I recently transitioned to a predominantly LPS/SPS tank and I've been seeing great coloration and amazing growth in SPS corals.

This video isn't current but it shows just how intense the Royal Blue LEDs are and how much it affects color temperature:

Would the blue be strong enough to overcome the intensity of 150watt Sunpod? Also how long would you say the lights would last from your experience. Thanks

All the demo pictures were taken on a 150W Sunpod with a Phoenix 14K.

If the LEDs don't fail from manufacturer defect and the temperature keeps in check (which they seem to do), it should last many years. Technically, the LEDs should last 13+ years on a 10 hour day.

Sorry I didn't reply to this earlier. Lot's of things going on at once.

I had recommended to others in the past about 28 LEDs for and RSM retro. The extra room in the RSM hood lets you spread things out a little more and add a few more LEDs for better coverage. Adding 60 degree optics will get you performance similar to a 150W MH. The interior of the hood will need to be gutted though, as there is the opaque splash guard surrounding the lights.

I have a 24" current nova extreme T5 fixture. Do you have any idea if your unit would fit on this fixture? I would love to add some shimmer to my tank!

Am I correct in assuming that one unit would only light up the center portion of a 24" tank?

I have a 20" Nova Extreme Pro T5. The LED fixtures should fit fine on it since the groove where you attach them is identical to the ones on a Sunpod. But will the LED fixtures give that shimmer effect? or is this only possible if a MH is used in conjunction with it?

LEDs will most certainly add shimmer to a T5 setup. Coachfraley, I could do you one unit without optics to give you the widest spread if all you are looking for is shimmer.

REHEHEHEALLY, hmm..would one unit suffice or would I need the dual to get the shimmer for my 20" NEP unit ?

Depends on your tank. Anything under 14" wide will need only one. Above that, two would be better. Come to think of it, this could be a fantastic way to get more color on the 18" T5 setups. It's a much better blue than the 460nm actinics it comes with, and adds far more fluorescence.

I have a 29g Biocube and the width is about 19".

The fact that the bulb selection is currently lacking for the NEP 20" unit is why I'm willing to give your fixtures a shot. And having the oh so pretty shimmer lines is also a big plus, since I don't want to use MH.

I'll be sure to reply on your current GB for a Dual fixture then...thanks man!

Cool. Should be interesting to see how it works out for T5 users.

Thanks for the reply, I understand that you are really busy. I will become more educated about LEDs and try to get more details on everything I need to make this project yield the best possible results. The reason I want to keep the hood is that I like the clean look and mainly because I have fish that would jump out if the top was open.
Looking forward to having LEDs. I'll try to catch you on your next GB.
Thanks again!
Todd

Didn't say you need to remove the hood, just take all the crap out so you have room to work inside.

Obviously!

Just making sure

evilc would you offer a led Retrofit Kit for BC 14 stock hood in the next GB????

would be nice

Not going to guarantee anything. I would love to work on some of those, but time is short. It's also a ton more work for me than what I have made so far.

I just put my name down for 1 of the Sunpod LED Actinics singles, But I will also need a new 70mh soon. In your opinion what would be the best bulb choice other than the astrulux. I like the bluer look but hopefully that will be covered with the new leds.

Ushio 14K or AB 20K