personaly I think 60 degree optics would be more about T5 lighting levels, to get MH levels I think you need to use 40 degree optics on anything over 18" deep.

Steve

Doesn't hurt to build it with the future expandability. Most reef controllers can output 0-10v signals for dimming so if you get drivers that are capable of being dimmed that way you are ready to add the controller in the future. And it is a small world. I went to High School at Martingrove not far from you :biggrin:

Depends what set ups you are talking about. It's all comparing apples to oranges but evilc66's testing at nano-reef seems to show performance equal to MH set ups. I don't think he has made many PAR measurements of T5 systems for comparison.

Will you have to change the lighting as often as the MH and other forms of lights?? LED's great idea!

I could be way off here as I do not know much about patents and how far they go but seeing businesses like nano tuners got me thinking.

Couldn't someone come out with an array of led on a heat-sink that "coincidentally" fit inside of a lighting hood that is also supplied by that same supplier, and again "coincidentally" has a compatible driver? The parts could be sold as a sort of a retrofit idea. all portions being offered separately?

I read the posts and ANswered my own question. !5 years! WOW! That alone would put these other lighting companies searching for other means to make money...to make even better lighting than the LED's.

Hi Stephanie, LEDS last for a looooong time!! i think its something like 10-11 years. so you will not have to change the bulbs! that is why LEDS are a key advancement in aquarium lighting. they may cost more now, but in the long run (i think its something like a 4-6 year breakeven) it will pay off!

yes i will definitely be using dimmable drivers (meanwells). So your using 3xheatsinks. I like the idea of breakign the heatsinks up, but how will you wire that? i assume you would run the clear whites separately from the royal blue LEDs using different drivers. but will you have, lets say, leds being connected from heatsink to heatsink on the same driver?

Yes i know Martingrove Collegiate H.S. I went to Michael Power though:razz:

im not sure how patent laws work. but if you sell all the parts in a package, i guess it would be okay, just as long as they are not assembled.

This is actually incorrect. Still illegal if sold as a DIY 'package' or kit. It's even against patent laws to assemble your own with your own parts but it's rather unlikely you'd ever get sued for this (the cost of suing you >>> money they'd get from you).

:doh:My bad, thanks for clearing it up. But how does nano-customs get away with what they do then?