Paging jedimasterben-Help me design an array for my 24L x 13D x 20H tank

[Lingwendil]

So, just picked up a tank that's basically a 25 gallon with the footprint of a 20H. Already stuffed full of LR and sand, started it cycling. Rockwork will go up at least halfway to the top, with a nice slope towards the sandbed. I'm looking to keep a little bit of everything, but I tend not to do much SPS, occasionally some hydnophora, montipora, but mostly going to be zoas, LPS, and the like. Might do a maxima clam up higher in the rock. I want a deep blue look to the tank, adjustable color, good growth, and nice pop. It's been a while since I put together an array, what would be a nice rig for this tank? I'm thinking a base of three 3UPs on each side to start, and going from there, or maybe bridgelux/luxeon clusters. I know I'm going for LDD drivers and also would like to know what a decent sunrise/sunset controller to use would be. I've tried to do my own, but would prefer an easy to build proven controller this time.

 

I was thinking two clusters of Steve's leds 3up, one per side, with a few added in to support. I noticed on my last fixture I had to really crank the white down to get the 18~20k look I prefer, so I added a bit more blue this time. Last fixture on my 20 long had two clusters of 3nw, 6rb, and 1ocw per side, and had excellent growth but the whole tank looked pink as fug.

 

Each side this time would have an array of the following, the violet are the only ones not on 3ups. All stevesleds.

1ww

2nw

7rb

1cb

1lime

3tv

 

For such an array would higher powered Luxeons like m series or similar be better? Bridgelux?

 

Any help would be appreciated. Budget isn't too big of a deal but I don't want to dump money where it isn't needed. A couple hundred bucks between the hardware and controller is about where I want to try and stay, but I'm flexible. I will be doing all the soldering and such of course.

[Lingwendil]

http://www.newark.com/bridgelux/bxrc-40g1000-b-23/led-hb-neutral-white-1000lm-4000k/dp/30Y8166

 

Would using these Bridgelux with some luxeon M be a better choice than the 3ups?

[evilc66]

Any reason why you wouldn't want to go with something like this?

 

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/355869-nano-box-v3-array-lime-luxeon-t-uv/

 

Does everything you are looking for already. It's a proven design that has excellent color. You may not have control over every single color, but it really isn't necessary. Dave set these up in a way that the colors on each channel work well together, so you never really feel that one color is overpowering or lacking.

[Lingwendil]

Looks good. You think two on a 6x20 heatsink would be okay over a 20" tall tank? The chips used look very nice, and it looks competitive in pricing too. Would a storm or typhon be better for a controller? I don't need all the fancy weather simulation but wouldn't mind lunar control.

[evilc66]

Seeing as you aren't looking for a high light setup, two should be ok. Three would certainly make life easier if you were to ever think about getting deeper into high light corals, especially deeper in the tank. Three would also create less shadowing under corals, which a lot of people have issue with when it comes to LEDs.

 

As for the controller, if I had to pick, it would be a Bluefish Mini. You get up to 6 channels of control over Wifi, with much easier control over the light cycle than you get with a Storm or Typhon (I'd pick the Storm over the Typhon if those are your only options).

[Lingwendil]

I think I might go with three. More sources is better for coverage in experience.

 

Is there a way to add a screen to the mini? I like the idea of having a readout of some sort at the tank, and the WiFi aspect is nice, but seems like for the price I should at least have at-a-glance info. I may just do the storm if a screen isn't available, but remote adjustment is nice... ugh I'm too undecided lol.

 

Would one of the nanobox dual board retro style kits with a third board work? If so I may go that way, and build a good hood with the hot air ducted out the sides.

[evilc66]

There is no external screen option for the Bluefish Mini. The primary interface is the iOS/Android app, and tells far more than any character or graphic LCD ever would. The Storm works, but compared to the Bluefish, the interface is clunky.

 

You could use one of the retros. Just talk to Dave and he can get you set up with a custom one that will fit your needs.

[Marc.The.Shark]

_{or just buy a cheap $39 Android tablet & use that as a screen at the tank. Don't think you'll need it long term tho. Once it's set up & adjusted to your liking/needs, how often will you really need to look at it? I haven't looked at my current lighting controller screen in prob 6 months.}

[Themerchant]

i have the Storm and I like the readout and it also has a temp read out (Bluefish does not have temp probe).

To me the interface is good and quiet adjustable, only thing is it doesn't have WIFI

[Lingwendil]

Hmm. Bluefish mini looks better once you take into account that it is much easier to use. It's not like it wouldn't be handy. I think I have a spare tablet somewhere anyway now that you mention it.

 

Anybody with a bluefish have any more input?

[Marc.The.Shark]

Hmm. Bluefish mini looks better once you take into account that it is much easier to use. It's not like it wouldn't be handy. I think I have a spare tablet somewhere anyway now that you mention it.

 

Anybody with a bluefish have any more input?

 

I have one on my new build, haven't set up the tank yet but have been playing around with it on the light that I built using the same NanoBox V3 arrays. IMO not a better lighting controller out there right now. Spencer @ Bluefish was really good in the development & early stages of the controller with taking suggestions from shmo's like us & incorporating them into the software. He even had a dummy one setup with a generic login, so that you could play around with it first. Don't know if it's still available, but there was a thread on his sponsor forum about it, gets you a little hands on to see if you like it. If you can't find it, just send him an email & I'm sure he can get you the generic login to play with.