100gal Build: New Pics

mseepman · #1 09-07-2011, 03:21 AM

Glad to hear that you are moving to the LED "Dark side" (or bright side if you really think about it).

Anyways, really keep a good eye on your LED temps with the tubes as many of the early adopters on LED just couldn't make them work for heat sinks. I think you've put more thought and effort into making the air flow...but if you want the most out of your $1200 and elbow grease, just watch the temps so that you don't prematurely burn out the LED's. I just bought the U-channel that I plan to use on mine today (they say U-channel gets rid of the heat better) but I'm still worried that things will get too hot.
What drivers are you planning on using? Have you thought about using the Meanwell HLG version of driver and going with a parallel design to save on cost? If you want examples of what others have done with this, I have a few that I could PM you as that's the way I plan to go.
I'm looking forward to seeing how this comes together as you always do an amazing job with your tanks.

sphelps · #2 09-07-2011, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mseepman

Glad to hear that you are moving to the LED "Dark side" (or bright side if you really think about it).

Anyways, really keep a good eye on your LED temps with the tubes as many of the early adopters on LED just couldn't make them work for heat sinks. I think you've put more thought and effort into making the air flow...but if you want the most out of your $1200 and elbow grease, just watch the temps so that you don't prematurely burn out the LED's. I just bought the U-channel that I plan to use on mine today (they say U-channel gets rid of the heat better) but I'm still worried that things will get too hot.
What drivers are you planning on using? Have you thought about using the Meanwell HLG version of driver and going with a parallel design to save on cost? If you want examples of what others have done with this, I have a few that I could PM you as that's the way I plan to go.
I'm looking forward to seeing how this comes together as you always do an amazing job with your tanks.

Thanks for the advice. I think this will work out just fine, but I do plan on testing temps prior to final installation. I'll probably just wire up one series of LEDs first and see how hot they get.

Drivers are from Steve's LEDs, most of the supplies are from him.

sphelps · #3 09-07-2011, 03:40 AM

Well tubes are cut and ready for welding

Here you can see the notches to direct the air through each tube

mseepman · #4 09-07-2011, 04:17 AM

Didn't realize you were using Steve's...will be interesting to see how you like them. How has his service and communication been?

The Grizz · #5 09-07-2011, 04:38 AM

Very interesting idea using aluminum tube, will be watching you thread to see how this turns out. Might have to do the same thing for my 8'er.

sphelps · #6 09-07-2011, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mseepman

Didn't realize you were using Steve's...will be interesting to see how you like them. How has his service and communication been?

Good, no complaints, seems to know his stuff. For the price his products seemed to be the best value for my needs. He claims the LEDs have a 90 degree beam so I won't need optics which I liked. I realize there are more efficient LEDs out there but to me these should be plenty efficient and although I could have used less LEDs for the same amount of output I figured it made more sense to spend the same money on more LEDs which will reduce the typical blue/white spot light effect I've seen with other fixtures. The separate single power supply was also a bonus as it keeps the drivers very small, essentially I'll have less clutter in the hood and only have to run a couple wires down below.

mseepman · #7 09-07-2011, 11:09 PM

really looking forward to how you put this together...

sphelps · #8 09-08-2011, 02:55 AM

Working on the LED layout.... Thoughts? (The back is at the bottom with the gap centered over the overflow)

Don't ask me why this helps but it made more sense when I started, looking now I'm not sure if this qualifies as useful data

White beams

Blue beams

Blue and White

Here's the red and yellow, this will really only be used as a sunset/rise effect, doubt they'll even be on during regular hours but we'll see.