Super CatPig Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I've had a reef setup for around 5 years now and would like to update my lights to LEDs the problem is I do not know much about lighting... at all.. I have the older Oceanic Biocube 29G. Long ago I removed the top and I setup a 150W Metal Halide with a Phoenix 14k bulb for a mixed reef with SPS/LPS/soft coral. I do not have a clam or nems. Though I love the way the Halides look I would like even more to have something that can be left on for longer than 5 or 6 hours and I am just plain tired of wasting money on bulbs. Ive been looking at Build My Leds and I am not really sure what to select for the options. I contacted them a week ago and I guess they are busy due to the holiday season because I have yet to hear from them. I've been looking at stevesleds as well but not sure if I should go that route either.. I noticed you can have them solder everything and from what I gather you strip the old hood and plop it in yourself? Im guessing I would need a digital light controller as well? I have a reefkeeper lite but im not sure I would want to run the light at full power.. hmmm. I'm dumb! Sorry for the stupid questions.. What I want is something super easy to install comparable to my current halides maybe a little less blue but im easy.. Any ideas on where to start/options? Link to comment
Biokabe Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 There's a lot of options for a BC29, but it really depends on a number of factors, with your budget probably being the biggest factor. How much do you want to spend, and how much are you comfortable spending on it? You certainly don't have to use your old canopy, and if you've already ditched it for the Phoenix, you can certainly keep it ditched for the LEDs. Personally, one of my happiest days was when I ditched the canopy and replaced it with a plexi sheet and a DIY LED array. And if you're looking for ease of installation, you'll have an easier time keeping the canopy off and using a manufactured fixture. Staying topless also helps with heat for your fixture - cramming all the LEDs into the canopy can easily build up quite a bit of heat on the LEDs, and heat is the death of LEDs. That said, BuildMyLED looks really tempting for a BC. Lots of mounting options, and they get very good reviews. You'd probably be good with three of either the 12k or 14k XB model. Other options I've looked at myself include the AI Nano, AI Sol, EcoTech Radion, and a few others that escape me at the moment. You could also do well with some of the Par38 options out there, Coral Compulsion's bulbs look pretty nice. Don't rule out a DIY array completely, though - I ended up enjoying the hell out of building my light, and I did it with no prior knowledge or experience at soldering. But admittedly, it's not for everyone, and it was quite a bit of work. Link to comment
fishyj Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 You also may want to check out nanobox reef. He has a retro for the bc29. You can also get a bluefish mini which would give you control over the lights by phone. It's really a nice set up. Link to comment
Super CatPig Posted November 30, 2015 Author Share Posted November 30, 2015 There's a lot of options for a BC29, but it really depends on a number of factors, with your budget probably being the biggest factor. How much do you want to spend, and how much are you comfortable spending on it? You certainly don't have to use your old canopy, and if you've already ditched it for the Phoenix, you can certainly keep it ditched for the LEDs. Personally, one of my happiest days was when I ditched the canopy and replaced it with a plexi sheet and a DIY LED array. And if you're looking for ease of installation, you'll have an easier time keeping the canopy off and using a manufactured fixture. Staying topless also helps with heat for your fixture - cramming all the LEDs into the canopy can easily build up quite a bit of heat on the LEDs, and heat is the death of LEDs. I'd like to keep everything under $400 and I guess that's my ceiling. Yea I still have the canopy but I don't really want to go back to the heat it created. That being said heat isn't much of a concern since I moved and the tank is set up in the basement. But still.. I like the ease of getting in and out of the tank with only a screen in the way so I am definitely leaning more towards build my LED. You'd probably be good with three of either the 12k or 14k XB model. Other options I've looked at myself include the AI Nano, AI Sol, EcoTech Radion, and a few others that escape me at the moment. You could also do well with some of the Par38 options out there, Coral Compulsion's bulbs look pretty nice. My old tank had a Par 38 bulb I dont think I really want to go that route I wasn't aware they had bulbs that could support SPS.. I guess I will be looking into it just for the education. As far as mounting goes I'm easy. I really do not want to do any DIY stuff with lighting though. It's not something that I am interested in ATM. Looking up the AI Nano, AI Sol and EcoTech Radion now. It looks like the AI sol has been discontinued but there is a hydra? hmm Link to comment
Biokabe Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 I'd like to keep everything under $400 and I guess that's my ceiling. Yea I still have the canopy but I don't really want to go back to the heat it created. That being said heat isn't much of a concern since I moved and the tank is set up in the basement. But still.. I like the ease of getting in and out of the tank with only a screen in the way so I am definitely leaning more towards build my LED. It's not so much the heat for the tank that you'd be worried about with LEDs - it's the heat on the LEDs themselves. Without running the fans in the canopy, any LEDs that you put inside would cook themselves and die prematurely. So, basically, what you want to do (keep the canopy off and just keep your screen) is what you should do regardless. =) Below $400, you do have some options. BuildMyLED is pretty competitive in that budget. The AI Hydra looks pretty good... though it's been long enough since the last time I looked that I didn't even know the Sol had been d/ced. Some of the Kessil fixtures fall in that price range as well, though I haven't done any research on those. There are some good Par38 bulbs out right now that are decently powerful - they're even dimmable these days. However, there is something to be said for just having it all in one package. Link to comment
scruggyj Posted December 5, 2015 Share Posted December 5, 2015 I have this ked retrofit kit for sale on the cheap. They are new and would work just fine in a biocube. http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/367966-new-in-box-current-usa-truelumen-pro-dual-nano-retrofit-kit-12/#entry5198250 Link to comment
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