Such a thing as too much light?

Enigma · #1 08-30-2012, 07:56 PM

I'm going to upgrade the lights on my Nano Cube 12. I would like the system to be able to support SPS, and maybe even a clam.

I had asked Martin if it would be possible to get his BC14 kit (http://www.modularled.ca/14g-biocube/) with two drivers. The answer was no: there aren't enough LEDs to support two drivers.

Okay. I want two drivers. I really want two drivers (one for whites, and one for blues). I also really want to get my hands into one of Martin's modular kits, as I've got a bigger 36" lighting build coming. He did make a suggestion for another lighting solution, but I want HIS lights.

So, could I use his BC29 kit? http://www.modularled.ca/29g-biocube/

I've measured, and the heatsink will fit (I'll just have to tuck the drivers underneath in the stand, which I'm fine with) if I pretty much gut the hood (perfectly happy to do that). It will also give me better lighting coverage towards the back of the tank.

So, 14 LEDs versus 22 LEDs. The drivers are dimmable. Would the BC29 kit nuke my tank if it was cranked down? Any possibility that I would be able to crank it all the way up? The lights will be controlled by an Apex.

I'd ask Martin, but he's on vacation and should be relaxing and not dealing with business. I'd like to have my order all put together for him by the time he gets back.

reefwars · #2 08-30-2012, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enigma

I'm going to upgrade the lights on my Nano Cube 12. I would like the system to be able to support SPS, and maybe even a clam.

I had asked Martin if it would be possible to get his BC14 kit (http://www.modularled.ca/14g-biocube/) with two drivers. The answer was no: there aren't enough LEDs to support two drivers.

Okay. I want two drivers. I really want two drivers (one for whites, and one for blues). I also really want to get my hands into one of Martin's modular kits, as I've got a bigger 36" lighting build coming. He did make a suggestion for another lighting solution, but I want HIS lights.

So, could I use his BC29 kit? http://www.modularled.ca/29g-biocube/

I've measured, and the heatsink will fit (I'll just have to tuck the drivers underneath in the stand, which I'm fine with) if I pretty much gut the hood (perfectly happy to do that). It will also give me better lighting coverage towards the back of the tank.

So, 14 LEDs versus 22 LEDs. The drivers are dimmable. Would the BC29 kit nuke my tank if it was cranked down? Any possibility that I would be able to crank it all the way up? The lights will be controlled by an Apex.

I'd ask Martin, but he's on vacation and should be relaxing and not dealing with business. I'd like to have my order all put together for him by the time he gets back.

im def no retrofit led expert but if you have the ability to dim them then i cant see why not, as for cranking them to 100% at some time, i guess it depends on your livestock. corals that are high intensity lighting could stay in the open while you tuck lesser light corals in places the light isnt so strong?? thats what id do :P i imagine your rock scape will have alot to do with it as well:P

Enigma · #3 08-30-2012, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefwars

im def no retrofit led expert but if you have the ability to dim them then i cant see why not, as for cranking them to 100% at some time, i guess it depends on your livestock. corals that are high intensity lighting could stay in the open while you tuck lesser light corals in places the light isnt so strong?? thats what id do :P i imagine your rock scape will have alot to do with it as well:P

You just want to see me cook all of my livestock and be flunked out of the contest.

I'm thinking it should be fine. I just know that LEDs don't dim down to zero . . . I think most go to 10% or something like that . . . maybe even not that far down.

The details on the driver indicate that it will run 8-14 single LEDs, so I could use fewer LEDs than what are included in the kit (spares are good): as long as I had a minimum of eight on a driver.

lorenz0 · #4 09-01-2012, 06:29 AM

I have that kit on my bc14.... lets just say i have it dialed all the way down due to problems with bleaching. If I were to do it again I would go with less LEDS

lpsreefer · #5 09-01-2012, 06:36 AM

i run the 29 kit on my 29 and i still havent been able to crack them up to 100% yet.
i run them at about 75%
so for a 14 i would say have them way down. have teh white at say 20% and the blues at 40% but do it over the coarse of a a few week you should be fine.

Enigma · #6 09-01-2012, 07:31 AM

Thanks, guys

I'm not going to add all of the LEDs out of the kit. I think I'm going to add 16. I'm going to play around with it a bit to figure out what works best. I've ordered some additional LEDs too: so I can play around with different colour combinations. I'll have some left over, but there's nothing wrong with that.

sphelps · #7 09-01-2012, 03:28 PM

Have you considered other options?

For solderless kits I personally like this:
http://www.rapidled.com/8-x-solderle...mable-drivers/
Basically a sol blue for half the price. Plus these can be screwed on instead of glued for easier replacement, and the heatsink has built in splash guard.

Enigma · #8 09-01-2012, 03:33 PM

If I were to remove the hood, I would absolutely go with something like what you've posted, Steve. I can't remove the hood in my house, though: especially since this tank will be quite low and at a three-year-olds eye level.

Those are very interesting lights, however.

sphelps · #9 09-01-2012, 04:02 PM

well there are lots of other kits out there, if you need help soldering I can help out so don't limit yourself.

I've been using stuff from http://shop.stevesleds.com/main.sc
Personally I like it better than other alternatives, especially the drivers but they are PWM so you'll need 0-10V interface for APEX, but you can get three drivers that do 7 LEDs a piece so you could potentially have three colors with independent control.

Enigma · #10 09-01-2012, 04:19 PM

I considered one of the Steve's LED kits. He's got an actual NC12 retrofit kit, and the price is good. He's also got some great LED colours (particularly violet), that I would like to try.

As this is for my contest tank, I want to be sure I can do it myself (though your offer of assistance is greatly appreciated and I'm sure some day I will request it . . . For LEDs or fixing my skimmer plumbing.

).