Pre-planning for upgrading the 8'er, some input on LEDs needed

[syncro]

Based on this LED Asthetics thread use a color ratio of:

4 NW : 7 RB : 1 CB

NW: Cree XP-G Neutral White
RB: Cree XP-E Royal Blue
CB: Cree XP-E Blue

Create tightly grouped clusters of LEDS with each cluster containing a LED from each color group. This should improve color blending - reduce color shadowing and the disco ball effect.

To me this sounds a lot like the AquaIlluminations Sol Blue (same Cree emitters too). The AI unit uses a ratio of 1 NW : 1 RB : 1CB but with each color dimmable you can create this recommended ratio. Given the large number of AI users I figure a good route is to DIY something similar and piggyback on the AI info. For example AI recommends 1 Sol Blue per 24" x 24" are up to depths of 36" so a starting point is 4 units for your 8 foot tank. There is a huge thread on Reef Central where you can find PAR measurements, suggested lighting cycles if you are willing to slog through it.... most of which would apply to a DIY using the same emitters. This is my plan anyways until I find a better resource for DIY led. I've just started a thread on nano-reef along these lines. This is all book knowledge only - no real experience yet.

[syncro]

This post on reefcentral describes how many LEDs you might want when switching from MH/T5.

[The Grizz]

Man some of this is complicated stuff, I really want to go LED on all my tank so I will have to do a lot of reading to try to fully understand them. Thanks for the links.

Milad, I will have to send you a PM to help me figure out a few things. I showed the wife some prices of store bought fixtures & all she said was HELL NO!! So DIY it will be if I can figure it out.

[Milad]

syncro gots it down

LEDs put out alot of light, you just need to get about 10-15 square inches of surface space per LED and group the colors as tight as you can. The boards im producing are similar to the AI boards, tight groupings of NW, RB, B. But the difference is the NW is the new XM-L NW which can do about 3x the light of NW on the AI unit.

Im just trying to make it easy for everyone to do LEDs, I suspect once I have the boards you could probably do a 8 foot light in under 30min (not including time of trying to find a way to hang it)

[The Grizz]

Well I don't know if I am going to build my own LED panels or not now. I have see several companies coming out with some really nice looking units at a decent price.

But the tank size has been determined and the glass should be ready for pickup mid Aug. Tank will be 96"L x 24"w x 30"T, front will also be starphire.

[Skimmerking]

Greg i had a 17 foot wall and put in the tank that i have now. Have the computer there now with the left over space. i can shoot some pictures of the tank and stand if you want with measurements after having that what i have now it would down anything different. All stuff is in the cabinets or the shelving

[The Grizz]

I have just about got the layout planned, just need to draw it up. I am going to put a small bar fridge in one end, redneck chiller and food storage. If I stay with my MH / T5 the ballasts will be in the top of the side towers with cooling fans but I would really like to got LED's for less heat & power consumption. Both towers are going to have an open spot where I can see the sides of the tank, Profilux controller will sit on one of the open side tops.

[Milad]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

Well I don't know if I am going to build my own LED panels or not now. I have see several companies coming out with some really nice looking units at a decent price.

But the tank size has been determined and the glass should be ready for pickup mid Aug. Tank will be 96"L x 24"w x 30"T, front will also be starphire.

Link them and I can give you some feedback on if they are good or not.

So far the only ones that are good are the AI panels.

[The Grizz]

This is one I was thinking of trying out on one of my smaller tanks.

http://eshinegrow.com/aquariumlight/...rium-light.htm

And these for the 8'er

http://eshinegrow.com/aquariumlight/...rium-light.htm

There are some other options but they are out on my office desktop.