Opinions on upgrading to LEDs!

[somewherebeyondthesea]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

+1 on the DIY. I like my DIY build and could not get the same thing out of a manufactured fixture and the cost was half.


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Know anyone locally that could acomplish such a thing? I'd even be willing to travel to pick something up if you had a guy/gal that could do it!

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by somewherebeyondthesea

Know anyone locally that could acomplish such a thing? I'd even be willing to travel to pick something up if you had a guy/gal that could do it!

I have done a couple build for a few people since I did mine. I use Modular LED for the parts.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by somewherebeyondthesea

I have decided it's time to upgrade my 180 G tank from MH to LED!

I think to be accurate, let's call this a change rather than an upgrade

[nrosdal]

Another question is: Is your tank in a cabinet? or is the top open?

because i have not seen a single diy unit suited to hang above an open tank unless your tank is located in a mechanic/welding shop(in my opinion).

[somewherebeyondthesea]

Originally Posted by nrosdal

Another question is: Is your tank in a cabinet? or is the top open?

because i have not seen a single diy unit suited to hang above an open tank unless your tank is located in a mechanic/welding shop(in my opinion).

Interesting point! The tank is open for sure and the MH's are held up with a couple of wall brackets. That was my one worry with DIY project is making it look good.....

[subman]

I have DIY on my sons tank and it does look great but its an enclosed unit. I agree DIY can be great but if they are going to be open I would go manufactured for sure.
Unlike Brad I see it as an upgrade!

[waynemah]

I've run DIY with an open tank, looks ok... Not exactly pro. After a year+ of researching LED's I've yet to find an LED setup that provides great coverage over the entire tank (mine is 30" front to back). Most of the units are a 12x6 piece that sits in the center and spotlights downward, not providing any light to the back or the front of the coral (where you view it from), this makes the coral dull from the sides and epic from the top, which is pretty much useless. The thing that separates the most epic LED lit tanks on this forum (Aquattro, Cuz and Dez for example) is they have great coverage over the entire tank, the corals get light from all sides and the colour/growth of their corals is proof of this.

My 2 cents... If your looking at good coral growth, I'd prioritize in this order... Water quality, Coverage (with proper intensity) and spectrum.

[Stones]

Originally Posted by nrosdal

Another question is: Is your tank in a cabinet? or is the top open?

because i have not seen a single diy unit suited to hang above an open tank unless your tank is located in a mechanic/welding shop(in my opinion).

I assume you missed this from Sphelps 100 gallon build thread (hope you don't mind me reposting your pic Steve):



I've seen a few nice DIY LED units that I would say are just as asthetically pleasing or nicer than most commercially available units. Mind you, you're going to need some mad woodworking or acrylic skills to pull it off. The fixture Sphelps built above is probably the nicest one I've seen completed so far.

[somewherebeyondthesea]

Originally Posted by Stones

I assume you missed this from Sphelps 100 gallon build thread (hope you don't mind me reposting your pic Steve):



I've seen a few nice DIY LED units that I would say are just as asthetically pleasing or nicer than most commercially available units. Mind you, you're going to need some mad woodworking or acrylic skills to pull it off. The fixture Sphelps built above is probably the nicest one I've seen completed so far.

Wow that's pretty sharp! Nice work Sphelps!

[sphelps]

While I had some success with my DIY fixture it was a lot of work and in the end cost way more than it was worth. Also at the time I was planning my build full spectrum fixtures didn't exist or at least weren't available to me. I'd only ever consider another DIY approach for a smaller tank as there are limited alternative options for such tanks. My vote goes to the Mitras all the way, the AIs are old technology IMO and not worth the investment anymore, Radions have design issues IMO and not worth the investment either, the Vertex 260/360 are solid quality but probably cost more than the Mitras for most tanks so unless you really hate module/pendent style fixtures it doesn't make much sense.