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Innovative Marine Aquariums

30in Coralife PC LED RETROFIT, SEEKING ADVICE!


Jonnywhoop

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Hey everyone, I am starting a new thread because I want this to be completely dedicated to this build. I am setting up my first 20L saltwater tank and came to the conclusion of using my old 30inch Coralife PC fixture as the frame for my LED setup. This is also my first LED build so please bear with me and offer any advice, comment, or criticism!

 

PROBLEMS/QUESTIONS

What size heat sink do I need to fit in here?

Are fans necessary? There is a splash guard and the fixture will be enclosed so I assume yes.

How many LEDS? I was thinking of 16-24. 2 dimmable drivers. (10blues,8 whites, 4 purps, 2 reds?)

 

I of course have a ton of more questions as this is my first build, but I will lay them out along the way.

 

First up, I have two pictures to post. This a side shot and top shot of the fixture itself. I posted these pictures to give everyone a better idea of what I am dealing with. More importantly, what size heatsink and fans to use in order to fit everything inside.

 

SIDEFIXTURE_zps91766ab4.jpg

I realized the font text is pretty small but basically it says on the top "notice the curve of the fixture," "6.75 inches DEPTH," and "1.4 inches HEIGHT, a little under 1.5"

 

Should the heat sink take up the whole inside of the fixture? Should I leave space to keep the drivers inside as well? I was thinking about fitting them in the square on the left side which is about a good inch or two. Also, how exactly do I attach the heatsink to the fixture itself? Would I just have to drill the sink into the fixture and use a nut and bolt to hold it?

 

TOPFIXTURE_zpse2aa548a.jpg

It says "30 inch fixture" and "26-28 inch heatsink?"

 

Should I be fitting two fans on the sides and give space for those? good recommendations of quiet fans? will I be able to get away with one fan?

 

 

 

I apologize for the lengthy boring post about my LED problems, but I figured posting here would be the best as people who have done this kind of retrofit before can chime in. I've scouted out previous builds but having some specific help to my build would greatly help. I hope that this thread can be also be a great guide for anyone attempting a build like this as well!

 

thanks everyone. I am ecstatically excited to be a part of this forum community and the reefing culture as whole. ;)

 

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How much space does that back bottom bit take up? The left square in the first picture. With that I can give you a heatsink suggestion.

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The box on the left side is approximately two inches tall x 1.5 to that little splash guard lip. The lip to the top of the fixture is about 1.5in

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price for this is per inch.

 

http://www.heatsinkusa.com/4-850-wide-extruded-aluminum-heatsink/

 

I've had smaller extrusions of this before good stuff.

 

a 28" Piece would cost you a little over $27.

 

Depending on how you decide to do your leds You can always get smaller extrusions if you're going to do clsuters of course.

 

You could alwo get a few short extrusions of this and place them sideways to avoid drilling and tapping or using termal adhesive (thermal grease has better conductivity but both generally do the job just fine).

 

http://www.heatsinkusa.com/8-460-wide-extruded-aluminum-heatsink-with-t-slots/

 

the tslot stuff is taller though so you may not be able to use it aw well depending on the thickness of your fans. If you're handy with tools I'd cut new fan holes in the top of the fixture wherever they go so they can draw in new cool air easier to push across the length of the heatsink.

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I think if anything, I would go with the first one simply for the pricing. When I attach the LED, how do I hold it in place? I know I put the thermal grease underneath to promote the conductivity; but exactly how does the LED stay there so it doesnt move? do I solder it in place as well?

 

The fans on top is a great idea and I can possibly get a dremel on top.

 

Also, should I be aiming to fit my drivers on the inside where that square is? would it even fit? I figured I would get those typical meanwell dimmable drivers.

 

If i fit the drivers in, that would make the heatsink approximately 28inL x 4.8inW x 1in/0.80inH, (The curve on the top part of the fixture really throws off the height because it narrows towards the front.

 

 

going to visit the rapid LED distribution center today on my way to work and see what they have to say about the project.

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