beginner diy led advice

[graemevw]

Hi, just joined up.

I am about to set up a small reef based on a dennerle 60l cube.

First matine tank.

 

Im looking at lighting an found this place in the uk.

 

 

http://reefled.co.uk/

 

Im trying to get my head around what I need. Tank is about 15" cube.

 

I think maybe one of these two?

 

 

http://reefled.co.uk/full-spectrum-diy-led-kit/36w-full-spectrum-diy-led-kit

 

 

http://reefled.co.uk/full-diy-led-kits?product_id=61

 

What do you think?

 

Whats confusing me is colours. The kits contain different LEDs but I can also swap out for others if I need.

 

I will be starting off with easy corals but I dont want the light to be the reason I cant try harder corals too in the future.

 

Is 12 led 36w ok for this small tank?

 

what kit should I get and what colours.

 

What lenses? I read a thread on here and from that I gather 60° is probably best?

 

Thanks.

[Reefkid88]

Maybe look into these guys as well. Or Aquastylesonline.com.

[graemevw]

Thanks, but im in the UK.

Means my options for sourcing the components is limited.

[Reefkid88]

I wouldn't use 60 degree optics. Maybe 80 at most.

[graemevw]

Noted, thanks.

 

Ive been reading alot about colours and drivers etc. Researching other sources for components. Im getting my head around it slowly.

 

Ive messaged the kit supplier to see if he does natural white or just cool white. Thats one of my main concerns with the kit.

 

Im also unsure how many leds ill need and am unsure if i should use two drivers so I can dim blues seperately from the others.

 

I guess all I really need at the moment is a decent start. I can always make changes later.

[Reefkid88]

Depending on what look youre going for,there is a sticky at the top of the forst page of the lighting forum. That will help a lot.

 

As for the cool whites,yeah they arent the best,but I have some that are 5500-5700k and still very yellowish compared to the 10-14k ones which arent good for what we want thek for. I personally cannot stand the yellow tint warm whites emit,so I opted for neutral whites and cool whites like I mentioned above.

 

Depending on the size,I would say 8-10 royals rough paired with 4 violets 400-430 on one channel and 4-6 whites 1-2 regular blues and a cyan on another channel.

[graemevw]

Thanks. Ill see what the seller has in the way of whites. I can order of ebay if needed though.

[Clown79]

The common ratio is 3:1 blue to white.

 

Most ppl don't run their whites on high percentages as it alters the colour pop of corals and aids in algae.

Same with Red leds.

 

Violets, uv, royal blue, and blue are very good colour options.

 

There is a thread on LED colours and their importance.

[reefhound]

look at my led build in my signature.. i would check the lighting diy and do your research..

I would suggest

3:1:1 royal, neutral white, blue

add 1 cyan

2 UV

 

 

you will most definitely want a moonlight driver with ultra marines (2-3)

[graemevw]

I have a bit of added confusion now.

 

I had pretty much planned what I was going to do but a diy light by me is going to have no controllability.

 

Once the ratio between blue and white channels had been set I could time blue channel to come on first and switch off last but thats it.

 

 

I have however been offered a tmc aquabeam ocean blue tile with controller for the same money its going to cost to diy.

 

I think from reading the light isnt going to be as great as its less leds (but more powerfull crees) and its only white and blue.

 

Thoughts? Diy with more leds with more colour or controllable tmc tile?

 

 

I also had thoughts about maybe seeing if its possible to add some other colours to the tmc.

[reefhound]

read my diy in my signature.. that will give you some answers