i was planning to make the tank first but the lighting is easier...at least for me

bought a nice 7.25" x 5" heatsink 1.25 tall.

its black and have more surface area then the ones on heatsinkusa.

it cost me $8...not 30...

going to sand down the bottom part to see if i can get it shiny and smooth.

also the fins are pointing the fron to back so might use 2 fans. (80mm fans are perfect)

its already got holes on the sides and has a 2 slots. making mouting easier.
might use a lamp or make something to mount it.

i have 20 XRE crees 10 blue and 10 whites on my other system but planning to split that much. my 20g doesnt need that much...
will transfer maybe 8 over.

i'll try to keep this below 100 for a full 8 LED set up.

this i already have.
constant current driver $20 (bought it a long time ago for cheap)
heatsink $8
LEDs $6 each 6x8 = $48

drilling and taping it would be another story.
but i already have the stuff for it.
the set should cost u $5. 4-40 and bolts/nuts shuld be around $3.

letting my parents solder everything together this time...so it doesnt look like crap.

probably not going to cover it up in a acrylic box like everyone else since the heatsink doesnt look that bad.
and cuts down on cost.

this page is probably going to be really dead until i post pics...

i hate taping holes............ -____-

told you guys it would be dead.

anyways taking 4 classes and working 40 hours a week isnt fun...

this will probably take a big jump during spring break if i dont end up going to hawaii.

heres the heatsink. its very light compared to the one on heatsinkusa.

huge surface area
makes he kind want to put 50 LEDs on it...
but i'll have to put 2 80mm fans at full speed


nice deep long fins.


if only i could find a big surface area heatsink with heatpipes... but would kill the purpose of heatpipes..

the side shot shows want i meant about the slotted sides.


i'll try to get a drill press to drill this thing so its nice and straight.

hell might even sell it for some cash =/


everything else is pretty much done in my head but not 100% on how im going to mount this above the tank with out fear of it falling in.

which would ruin the whole project...

Nice heatsink, did you get that locally or online? If online, can you share, that kind of heatsink would be pretty useful I think for many people including myself.

the place i work has a warehouse next door that sells semi conductor parts. but its pretty depressing going in since the stuff in there are ancient...and full of computer/server relics.

this is the only big heatsink with lots of fins. the one my uncle told me about was sold out so this was the next best thing.

out the door it was 8 something which was a lot better then 30+ shipped from heatsinkusa.
the best part its computer grade heatsink not amp so its more efficient. (or at least thats what i like to think)

school this week is killing me... got time to do a water change today but it was around 2am..

im in a bit of a dilemma. not sure how im going to mount the lighting system above my tank...

im going to be using 60 degree lens so they need to be about 10" above the water.
might scratch that if i cant find a way to mount it high.

now sure how im going to do that... any suggestions???

i cant be drilling holes on the walls or ceiling...

could probably make a light stand out of pvc fittings and some dowel to fit in it? theres lots of ways to suspend a light above a tank. What kind of stand is the fish tank gonna be on? might be able to work something out that clamps right to it and holds the lights above it

could probably find something like this at home depot?. I assume you don't want a canopy over your tank?

its a pretty big nightstand. with lots of room around it.

i'll probably make it out of the smallest PVC piping as i can. 1/2"

the pic above looks like its made out of metal. a lot nicer.

i was thinking about bending steel pipes but thats too much work.

this person did a really good job.
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=devmasa

yeah i dont want a canopy.

and since i cant mounting bolt things down cuz i'll cause damages to the furniture. and i dont trust clamps over time.