Aquarium Supplies

[miwoodar]

I posted this on RC (http://denver.craigslist.org/for/4048017772.html) but I'm cross posting here on MASC as well.

Can anyone help me understand why nobody has shown interest in the LED setup described below? Has the consumer side of the market turned to something else? Maybe the push towards prepackaged systems has killed the custom system approach? I've tried more/less detail and both with and w/o photos.

Custom LED Array - CREE setup. Tested at over 1000 PAR under water surface. Steal it for $350 (parts were 3x this much). Dimmable ballasts.

 

[Bajamike]

I posted this on RC (http://denver.craigslist.org/for/4048017772.html) but I'm cross posting here on MASC as well.

Can anyone help me understand why nobody has shown interest in the LED setup described below? Has the consumer side of the market turned to something else? Maybe the push towards prepackaged systems has killed the custom system approach? I've tried more/less detail and both with and w/o photos.

Custom LED Array - CREE setup. Tested at over 1000 PAR under water surface. Steal it for $350 (parts were 3x this much). Dimmable ballasts.

Tbh you can get a fully programmable AI and controller used for around $250-$300, And come close to a new pair for $25 more with a warranty. I would say that is the problem. But that is just my opinion

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[Dr.DiSilicate]

Plus 1

 

[mathewkofalk]

To be honest I'm interested in switching to leds but I havnt educated my self to know what your selling.....that being said what size tank is this for.

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[Walter White]

If there is any one person I would buy a DIY led fixture from it would be this one. Mike knows his stuff and does his research like no other!

 

[Fitz19d]

A few problems. A: Is DIY, they can't trust for sure you did stuff right, what quality parts, etc. DIY LED is scary to most people and like me fret about getting all the perfect chips and lenses etc. I would for sure at least include a wavelength count of all chips. (ie 12 Cree 3w 445nm blue, 8 XPE Cool White, etc)

I was going to DIY, then figured out that doing a reefbreeders fixture has stellar customer service and cheaper than all the high dollar big name brand ones. The DIY led if you made it halfway pretty or more simple for non electrically minded people like myself was more expensive.

 

[miwoodar]

You guys are a wealth of information. Thank you.

Maybe I will start a garden in the basement this winter (I currently start summer vegetable seedlings via MH and T12's). This thing is strong enough to actually grow too. Something akin to this comes to mind (http://vegetablegardeningcenter.com/how-to-start-indoor-vegetable-gardening/).

You would need 3 SOL's to match this, no?

FWIW, I built it with the mindset that it could be easily converted to a six foot tank. Cut it down the center and it's two 12" x 24" racks. It would not need to be rewired. I would do it for free if you paid cash up front.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n231/miwoodar/FinalLEDarrangement.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n231/miwoodar/Front.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n231/miwoodar/IMG_1250.jpg

 

[miwoodar]

If there is any one person I would buy a DIY led fixture from it would be this one. Mike knows his stuff and does his research like no other!

I think you just called me a geek. Thanks!

 

[sethsolomon]

What current are the drivers running at?

 

[miwoodar]

IIRC, this should be the final spec.

 

[jda123]

Most DIY people want to DIY. The other people want something made from a factory somewhere. It is really that simple.

Also, even LEDs from manufacturers that are older aren't selling all that well.

 

[FinsUp]

With anything DIY that's complex, like lighting, most of it boils down to seller credibility. Also combined with buyer capability. If the seller is a total stranger, and the buyer isn't comfortable with wiring and LEDs and such, never the twain shall meet. However, if the seller is known to be a top notch guy, and the buyer is confident in their ability to mod/repair as needed... magic happens. There's a lot of gray area in between those two, and it comes down to price sometimes. Like BajaMike pointed out, most folks prefer prebuilt lights if the prices are somewhat comparable.

FWIW, an endorsement like that by ThunderTwonk carries a fair amount of weight, at least for me. Unfortunately, I'm not in the market for lights at the moment.

GLWS!!

 

[Blindrage]

I am brand new to reef tanks, and in fact I just registered to this site and have not posted an intro just yet. I am interested in some lights, but I do not really have enough knowledge to know if these would meet the tank needs. So I will list what I have, what I am looking for, and hope you guys can pass along some advice. BTW, I have a BS in Electrical Engineering, so I was just about to start the research on doing my own DIY build. This just give me something already ready to go that I can modify as needed later.

The tank is a 90 gallon. Total system is closer to 120 with sump and refug. Current lightning is a 48" wide T5 system that I know is not going to cut it for corals as the tank matures. Cycle finished last weekend, so the only thing in the tank is LR and a very small CuC to help with algae.

If split in two so that it would cover the whole tank, would this be enough light to get me started? Does this have to be suspended lightning, or can it be rim mounted like the T5 unit? Does it need a hood (which is planned, but not been started yet)? Do the LEDs put out heat like the MH lights to the point of needed cooling on the tank? You mention dimmable, can this be done from the lights themselves, or will it require an external controller to run them? Will it work with all the commercially avail controllers (I have seen PWM and voltage regulated, either/both/specific)? My wife insists I ask this... does this cause the nice wave lines on the bottom of the tank like the pendant lights she saw at Aquamart?

I think that is about it for questions. $350 is sure a lot more palatable than $400+ per pendant for the name brand stuff my wife likes.

 

[mathewkofalk]

You should do more research on t5 ho....some will say you can't do sps under it but thats a lie I grow out sps frags on the sand bed under t5 on my 75. That being said you have plenty of time to research leds and make a good choice on a new fixture ....also you may see some kits you coul build yourl self.

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[mathewkofalk]

I should mention that growth amd color will be less under t5 as well

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[jda123]

Figure out what you want to keep and then figure out how much you really want to be into it. Kinda-glance-at-it-every-few-days requires a different level than National Tank of the Month type of lighting results. Most good opinions and help that you will receive will depend on both of those things.