Toybuddha Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 I'm wanting to build a led fixture for my 10 gallon tank. I d like to be able to keep whatever I want as far as corals. I was thinking maybe 10 or so LEDs, definate key dimmable so I don't fry corals. I've been looking at rapidleds and aquastyle but I'm not sure what the best route to go is. I'd like to go saulderless and be under $100. Anyone have a good plan or parts list? Thanks Link to comment
Horerczy Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 If you want it done right it probably wont be under $100. Still given a choice for solderless work I'd say LEDGroupBuy or RapidLED. Link to comment
Toybuddha Posted April 8, 2014 Author Share Posted April 8, 2014 Gonna check out ledgroupbuy Thx Link to comment
Nano sapiens Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 I can highly recommend LEDGroupBuy since they did a great job of getting me the components I needed. If you want to keep 'any coral', then take your time and research to make sure you will have enough intensity and a proper, well balanced spectrum for the corals as well as being pleasing to your eye. Link to comment
Toybuddha Posted April 11, 2014 Author Share Posted April 11, 2014 What about this kit? It requires soldering, but I was thinking I could use it as a parts list for a solderless build. http://www.aquastyleonline.com/products/Aquarium-14-LEDs--DIY-Dimmable-Kit.html Link to comment
Horerczy Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 They still make that junk? Cool white with royal blue used to be all the rage. Not so much now. For more output if use rebel es or cree X-lamp leds. Ledgroupbuy sells some nice Nichia neutral whites as well. These options seem to cost more but you need fewer for the same results as the cheapo leds. There are many good Chinese premade lights out there but if you're building it yourself there's no reason to skimp on quality. Link to comment
Toybuddha Posted April 11, 2014 Author Share Posted April 11, 2014 I'm planning on using neutral whites and royal blues. Probably CREE. I'm just trying to get a parts list for a dimmable, solderless kit that will give me good coverage on my 10 gallon. Link to comment
Toybuddha Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 What Chinese pre made lights? Link to comment
Toybuddha Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 A few things I'm trying to figure out- How many LEDs should I use? I am thinking 8 royal blue CREEs and 4 neutral white CREEs. In order to try and eliminate any disco, how far apart should they be mounted from eachother? What size heat sink would make sense? Could I go without a fan? Thanks for your help Link to comment
Toybuddha Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 Just found this nano Reef Breeders fixture. http://reefbreeders.com/shop/nano-lite/ They say it covers an 18x18 area. I have the value fixture on my 20 long and really like it. Link to comment
Gilligan Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 You should be able to find something for around that price, maybe not dim-able. IMO make your search for a light easier and aclimate the corals to the light another way. I saw this off-shore light in person at my LFS, it has a really nice colour. 3w LEDs http://www.petsandponds.com/en/aquarium-supplies/c5813/c231289/p17707384.html I should have got it over the Marineland "reef-capable" LED I bought at the time. The Marineland light is actually decent too, just a little too white for my preference. I now have it on a shallow frag tank as I have upgraded to a Kessil. Link to comment
CrazyEyes Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 That nano light would probably work well. I have a regular value light over my nano and while it's far from the best the corals have all been responding very well under it. Link to comment
Toybuddha Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 With a depth of just 12", is there any need to have the most bright CREE LEDs? I mean, they would never be turned all the way up without frying everything. What's the disadvantage of using Bridgelux in such a small tank? Link to comment
Gilligan Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 While I am a big proponent of quality, you should be concerned with the wattage and colour temperature, then pick the best manufacturer. 3W LEDs will be useful 1W might be useable, but with 3W LEDs being common why bother. <1W, not worth the complexity, kinda waste-full to have this many LEDs when the 1W and 3W keeps the parts count down. I would be more concerned with the quality or reliability of the driving hardware then the manufacturer of the LED. Link to comment
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