DIY LED Light Questions

[Cal_stir]

are u using the fixture as a cover? saltwater and aluminium don't mix to good, you will have a lot of corrosion, aluminum angle or square tubing are good for frame, dissimilar metals will corrode as well so keep it all aluminium.

[Beanz]

Naw i'm using the the fixture to hold down some acrylic sheets that i already have on top of the tank (should i cut some spaces in the acrylic and buy some fans to mount is in it to get more airflow over the top of the tank water? or will a 10 gallon sump with a coralife ss 65 gallon and 10 gallon refugium b enough for gas exchange and such?), ill probably raise the fixture up maybe 4-6 inches and hold the acrylic down and keep the fixture propped up on some 1X1 struts. I think for the fixture imma use L channel aluminum and put the heat sinks in the L, then i was thinking of screwing the L channel onto a 2X4 than putting the same stuff that's on my stand. But before i will cut squares in the side of the wood so i can mount the fans in there. Is this wise to mount the aluminum to the wood? or will it get too hot?

Thanks, Ian

[Cal_stir]

don't cut the sheets, you will get enough gas xchange with sump and skimmer,the fan will keep the heatsink nice and cool, the leds will fail before the heatsink gets hot enough to set wood on fire

[Beanz]

ok thatnks cal, i am gonna do a water test today and c if the pH is changing as a result of the sheets. if there is i might get some screen but the acrylic is doing a dandy job of keeping the zebra in the tank. I am going out today to get the materials for the fixture so i will start posting pics today maybe, i might get a shot of the zebra too if i can get a good shot

[Beanz]

Ok I built the fixture, but have not added the peices for how high it is gonna b. So how high do u guys think I should have the fixture, and should I use 80degree optics for the height or something a little more focused if the fixture is higher.

Thanks, Ian

[Cal_stir]

my fixture is 1 inch above tank with no optics, the leds emit @ 120 degrees without optics, i find this to be perfect for my application, no spotlighting. i remember reading an article about a guy who used 40 degree optics and he had to mount his fixture about 12 inches above his tank to eliminate the spotlighting effect, my guess with 80s would be @ 4 inches.

[Beanz]

Ok I will try that out, do u think that the 24 LED with dimmable driver kit will be enough light for the back of my tank (6") or would it b better if i saved my money and bought the 36 Led with dimmable driver kit?