LED question

Oilers · #1 02-28-2012, 05:16 PM

I was reading about SOL LED on the BRS website and it says that you need 1 SOL unit for every foot of your tank. Is that true? My tank is 5x2x2. Does that mean I need 5 SOL units? That sounds too much to me.
Also, the SOL unit is $400 each. The Radion unit is $800. Is the Radion much better than the SOL then? Is there a kit to hang these LEDs? I saw them being hung from the ceiling at the stores and I don't want to go that route.
I am looking to convert into LED and it seems to be an hefty investment so I just want to make sure I am doing it right. Anything else you can tell me is a bonus. Thanks for the input.

mseepman · #2 02-28-2012, 05:19 PM

I would recommend you read the AI site about coverage rather than a 3rd party. My understanding is that the SOL should cover 2 x 2 but again, check it with the manufacturer as I don't have these.
I'm pretty sure you can cover your tank a lot cheaper with SOL's than Radion's as well.

daniella3d · #3 02-28-2012, 05:20 PM

Maybe you should go with DIY? if you need that many LED, that might be a better cheaper option?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oilers

I was reading about SOL LED on the BRS website and it says that you need 1 SOL unit for every foot of your tank. Is that true? My tank is 5x2x2. Does that mean I need 5 SOL units? That sounds too much to me.
Also, the SOL unit is $400 each. The Radion unit is $800. Is the Radion much better than the SOL then? Is there a kit to hang these LEDs? I saw them being hung from the ceiling at the stores and I don't want to go that route.
I am looking to convert into LED and it seems to be an hefty investment so I just want to make sure I am doing it right. Anything else you can tell me is a bonus. Thanks for the input.

Oilers · #4 02-28-2012, 05:24 PM

mseepman,
I will certainly check it out. Thanks.

daniella3d,
I don't even know how many led I need for my tank. I was thinking 2 or 3 but the info. on BRS says different.

mseepman · #5 02-28-2012, 05:51 PM

If you are thinking about DIY (that's what I'm doing) then either look at www.modularled.ca or bjb connectors through reefledlights.com

toxic111 · #6 02-28-2012, 06:07 PM

I think the AI's @ 1per 1' is about right. I know the Reef Shoppe has 6 over his 6' tank. I know when I was pricing out LED's for my 120, the Radions were around $200 cheaper than the SOL's as I didn't need the controller, & it needed 4 units.

Checking out tanks that are using these will go a long ways in seeing how to do it.

The Radions only have a hanging kit at the moment. The SOL's do have a tank mount bracket.

jorjef · #7 02-28-2012, 06:20 PM

I have 2 AI Sols super blue on a 48" tank. More than enough light for me.... I think 5 on a 5' tank would be throwing money out the window.

The Grizz · #8 02-28-2012, 06:20 PM

I would say that 3- SOLS or 2 - Radions would be enough on a 5' tank. Put the Radions length wise with your tank should be good coverage.

And there are mounting arms for both Sols and Radions. I should know because I build them.

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monocus · #9 02-28-2012, 06:21 PM

i was pricing out a build for someone else for a 4 1/2 foot light.framework,heatsinks,fans,120 3 watt leds,5 10watt leds and 8 dimmable drivers were $1400 for parts

mseepman · #10 02-28-2012, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monocus

i was pricing out a build for someone else for a 4 1/2 foot light.framework,heatsinks,fans,120 3 watt leds,5 10watt leds and 8 dimmable drivers were $1400 for parts

Not sure what made you pick those parts. If you were to compare, I think 3 Sol's would more than do that tank and that would only be around 72 LED's so you're really loading up the LED's on it. Also, were you doing all serial strings or some parallel strings?

My DIY has 184 3w Cree LED's, 7 drivers total and I'm looking in the neighborhood of $2400 including everything (shipping and taxes) but my elbow grease. Fixtures would have cost me a lot more.