Wanna Try building a LED light

[BlueTang<3]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1587273

Here is one example

[Jeff000]

I would go 2 blues for every white.
Cree 3W LED's are the most popular.

http://ledsupply.com/creexpg-w139.php They come on an aluminium disk, its about 3/4" diameter.

Don't make a single strip, make an array.

I would buy dimmable drivers, its just so much easier and they are cheap all things considered.

Optics... try some of all and figure out what works best, makes it easier to give a smaller spot more light if you have a demanding coral.

No reflectors, they focus down on there own.

use a heatsink, fans depend on how many LEDs you have and the size/efficiency of your heatsink.

you can use an epoxy or you can screw the LEDs down. I would drill and tap holes and use machine screws to hole them down.

18g is plenty fine for wire.

I am building a small array of just whites and using T5 for the blues, actinic and fiji purple kind of tubes. Waiting on the XPG to come in blue.

[Skimmerking]

wow thanks Jeff

[Skimmerking]

would i want optics that like the 120 degree more of a spread

[donlite]

Make sure you use heat sink epoxy, tape or white paste. Also make sure the LEDS are sealed of from the water. There are 3 things that are most important #1 is heat management #2 heat management and most important is #3 heat management. My company builds LED units for commercial sites. Make sure the LEDS are current and the heat sink calculations are in tune with your LEDS, Good Luck

[Jeff000]

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

would i want optics that like the 120 degree more of a spread

From what I have read the 70 degree optics give the highest PAR values. And with the 100 or so you will have over your tank I would say 70 degree would be your best bet.

I'll have 84 over my 48"x18" 90 gallon.

[Skimmerking]

what did it cost to build yours jeff

[Skimmerking]

Does this look right for what i need

3023-D-E-1000P Wired BuckPuck, 1000mA Output, DC Powered w/potentiometer 3@$19.99 $79.96

24VDC 6.5AMP Switching AC to DC Power Supply
2@ $29.99 ea $59.98
HEATSINK W/ ADHESIVE TAPE
3@ $4.99 ea $14.97
Royal-Blue 1-Up Cree XP-E Star
30@ $7.18 ea $215.40
CREE XP-G 139 Lumen Star
30@ $8.27 ea $248.10

Subtotal: $618.41

is 30 royal blue too many?
And 30 White should be alot more for a 150 gal

[Jeff000]

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

what did it cost to build yours jeff

I got my LED's in a group buy, 36 whites, and 3 dimmable drivers, about 220 in LED and drivers and then about 60 in aluminium to make the heatsink/array

I figure about 600 by the time I get my blues.