Big LED Build 243w

[txg8gxp]

Ok, this is going to be the build for my 57g. HS is 8.5"x26", 8-4 emitter xre strips in blue, 3-4 emitter xpg strips white, 4- 7up disks(4xpg white/3 xpe blue)(14K), meanwell drivers, for a grand total of 72 led's at 216W. :) Most parts are on there way, but I still have alot to deside on. Still need to add the acyrlic shield and hangers. Any ideas, let me know.

[StevenSeas]

looks like its gonna be awesome. can the drivers be adjusted to allow for total light output to change slowly through the day to mimic the sun like the AquaIllumination or old Solaris fixtures?

[Big_Pun]

that's going to awesome

[txg8gxp]

Oyea, I have a RKL on the way. I plan to use the ALC module to ramp in and out to control intensity. This is were the GHL controllers kick but, by far the best out there for lighting. But too much money for me right now.




looks like its gonna be awesome. can the drivers be adjusted to allow for total light output to change slowly through the day to mimic the sun like the AquaIllumination or old Solaris fixtures?

[txg8gxp]

Few updates, Hanger posts done, acrylic splash guard done, power input plugs done.

[txg8gxp]

Fans, man google sketchup is awesome.

[txg8gxp]

another

[saabtech]

thats some sweet stuff man!

[txg8gxp]

Man I love this program.

[txg8gxp]

I sure hope so, my main goal is to make it look like a production fixture. With more power then any production fixture.


thats some sweet stuff man!

[StevenSeas]

With MORE power then any production fixture

alright now Tim the Toolman Taylor LOL

[txg8gxp]

Tons of cool features.

[txg8gxp]

hahaha, the jet engine lawnmover is next week...


alright now Tim the Toolman Taylor LOL

[StevenSeas]

lol. so when does the building start happening?

[txg8gxp]

Next week, I have half the led's already. Waiting for the new heatsink, then I will be able to start some real building.

[BIGBIRD123]

What will be the cost of this project, if ya don't mind me asking? I considered something like this for my wife's RSM 34g.

[ErikH]

**** you picked up that program fast as all get out!

[txg8gxp]

I think by the time It's done, including RKL controller hardware..etc. about $700-800. But thats going all out.



What will be the cost of this project, if ya don't mind me asking? I considered something like this for my wife's RSM 34g.

[txg8gxp]

I love it, super easy and alot of fun.



**** you picked up that program fast as all get out!

[BIGBIRD123]

Actually I was looking for the cost with out the expensive controller, just the light project. i imagine that is at least half the cost...

[saabtech]

thats a $100 controller.

[txg8gxp]

Without controllable dimming you could drop about $250 off the price tag. With that said, I'm also useing a crazy amount of led's too.

[txg8gxp]

$170 plus driver cost difference.

thats a $100 controller.

[txg8gxp]

A fixture for the size tank your talking about would start at $300 and go up from there.

[txg8gxp]

Cool shot

[BIGBIRD123]

Why don't you guys do an LED workshop? I'd love to learn...

[BIGBIRD123]

I only want to do something that will fit in the original hood. My wife has some jumpers...

[txg8gxp]

Thats a good thing, keeps cost down alot. Plus a retro is always easier then designing a whole fixture. Any questions please ask.


I only want to do something that will fit in the original hood. My wife has some jumpers...

[txg8gxp]

Parts list:
Heat sink 8.5" x 26" www.heatsinkusa.com (http://www.heatsinkusa.com)
4 XPE royal blue 4 emitter linear coral growers engines
4 XPE blue 4 emitter linear coral growers engines
3 XPG cool white 4 emitter linear coral growers engines
3 XPG/XPE 7 up 7 emitter coral growers engines (14K)
http://www.cutter.com.au/products.php?cat=Cree+XPG
2 Mean Well ELN-60-48D drivers
4 Mean Well LPC-35-700 drivers www.nanotuners.com (http://www.nanotuners.com) or www.rapidled.com (http://www.rapidled.com)
2 X-Silent 140 cooling fans (60cfm ea.)
RKL controller w/ ALC, MLC modules.
Arctic silver premium thermal adhesive www.ledsupply.com (http://www.ledsupply.com) , www.rapidled.com (http://www.rapidled.com)

[Big_Pun]

very nice list Stephen,this will be a nice build, i think im ready for a bigger LED build on the pico and making a acrylic houseing and mounting it to the aqua clear.

[txg8gxp]

The new evilc66 led fixture would be sweet. I also have been thinking about modding some par16's. Like the par38's evil builds.



very nice list Stephen,this will be a nice build, i think im ready for a bigger LED build on the pico and making a acrylic houseing and mounting it to the aqua clear.

[alton]

Kind of hijacking the thread but it seems all the LED guru's are here so here it goes Marineland makes a 5" x 36" 24 LED fixture. Would this be enough light for a 8" x 36" fuge/frag section in my sump with a water depth of 9"? I like to keep frags of candy cane and other LPS until they move on.

[txg8gxp]

I haven't had one in my hands, but looking at the build I would say no. There are not many emitters, plus there old 1W's. They claim like 450 lumens I believe. I will be getting almost that out of one of my led's. Even a refugium need strong lighting. I think it would be a cool light for a goldfish tank or something like that.



Kind of hijacking the thread but it seems all the LED guru's are here so here it goes Marineland makes a 5" x 36" 24 LED fixture. Would this be enough light for a 8" x 36" fuge/frag section in my sump with a water depth of 9"? I like to keep frags of candy cane and other LPS until they move on.

[alton]

Thanks for saving me the money

[txg8gxp]

There are very few good led fixtures on the market right now(well small ones) To get the best PAR for the money, you have do build your own. Any questions please ask.


Thanks for saving me the money

[mikedelgado]

this is very interesting! I have been playing with some 1 and 3 watt store bought led bars . They make my corals look amazing! even the ugly ones.Someday when I am less intimidated I would like to attempt to build myself a replacement for my center 400w mh and see how it does before making the decision to go all led or stay with the halides

[txg8gxp]

A MH retro is a pretty simple build. You can match a 400W MH, but would require lower angle lenses(to match higher PAR ratings). Not a big deal, or less you keep your light right over the water.



this is very interesting! I have been playing with some 1 and 3 watt store bought led bars . They make my corals look amazing! even the ugly ones.Someday when I am less intimidated I would like to attempt to build myself a replacement for my center 400w mh and see how it does before making the decision to go all led or stay with the halides

[mikedelgado]

my tank is a standard 215 so its about 29" deep or so . I would like to keep the lights about a foot or so off of the water(to avoid splashing and be out of my way).

[txg8gxp]

It could be done, but with a tank that large would require alot of emitters. Without alot of emitters with lower angle lenses, the tank wouldn't have very good coverage and lower PAR. Led's are alot of money up front, but pay for themselves over time.


my tank is a standard 215 so its about 29" deep or so . I would like to keep the lights about a foot or so off of the water(to avoid splashing and be out of my way).

[txg8gxp]

I still can't get over this progam, a must have.

[mikedelgado]

Do you think I could make one that rivals a 4oow 20k bulb in a luminark mini for 5-600 bucks?And the really big big question is do you think it would actually grow and color sps? I do not have to have my center halide as I do not run it in the summer months to keep the tank cool(no chiller). The stuff in the middle does seem to do better with it though.

[txg8gxp]

I had no problem with sps. Saabtech some some I gave him, two or the same. One under 150 MH(i think) and one under cree xre's. He love the color and growth under the leds better. Maybe he can jump in with some more details on his setup.

[txg8gxp]

I would think so, alot of the cost also comes in with dimming features. $500-600 would build a awesome MH retro.

[QUOTE=mikedelgado;749583]Do you think I could make one that rivals a 4oow 20k bulb in a luminark mini for 5-600 bucks?QUOTE]

[mikedelgado]

Sounds promising! I would be willing to spend xtra to be able to dial in the color temp. Not necessarily controllable(dawn dusk effect) but be able to tune how blue/white it is then just set it on a timer to turn on and off. I prefer the look of 400w 20k bulbs bright as heck but still really blue. How do I get started? o geez one more project on the horizon, my racecar is going to be on the trailer even longer .

[txg8gxp]

Check out the coral growers engines. The 7 up is 14K, but mix it with a 4 up blue and you would be around 20k
http://www.cutter.com.au/products.php?cat=Cree+XPG

[txg8gxp]

If looking for more info, you can PM me if you want.

[mikedelgado]

Thanks for the link and the info. looks like I have some research to do.

[txg8gxp]

Ok, the fixture just got bigger. Thanks, Saabtech.
Now up to 81 led's @ 243W. I'm going to run the 7 ups across the whole center.

[StevenSeas]

Lol wow sounds really nice. MORE POWER. Wish i could make a fixture like this

[corruption]

Gonna be a nice build here, Stephen. Can't wait to see it finished :) How are you planning on buiilding the assembly itself? Acrylics, or aluminum?

-Justin

[txg8gxp]

Black acrylic.

[txg8gxp]

A few parts

[Big_Pun]

now thats a heat sink

[txg8gxp]

:D Oyea, good thing I don't have a big tank. I think the HS is right under 12 pounds, I hope to keep the fixture at 17 pounds or less.

[BIGBIRD123]

4-up and 7-up...does that mean 4 per little do-hicky and 7 per?

[BIGBIRD123]

nevermind, just did the math from the drawing

[txg8gxp]

Yes sir. 4 emitters per star or 7 emitters per star. 4 up's are on 25mm star, and 7 up's on 40mm


4-up and 7-up...does that mean 4 per little do-hicky and 7 per?

[txg8gxp]

I'm also useing 120mm 4 way linear strips, 4 emitters on a 1" x 4.75" board.

[StevenSeas]

Nice looking build so far, I wish i could see it done step by step. almost convincing me to build one for my 20 which is outfitted w/ only 4 ho t5. since im wanting mainly lps long term about how many LEDs would be needed to match or exceed the t5s that i have in there now without going way overboard? also cant you rewire a fixture later on to add more? sorry for the highjack

[txg8gxp]

Thanks, once I get all the parts together I will try to take step by step pics. The number of leds can vary alot, depending on emitters, lenses, current, etc. What size tank? LxWxH Yes, you can always add on later(as long as the fixture can handle the extra heat). With alittle more info on tanks size, t5 bulbs used(what K temp you like/ or go dimmable) I could help get you started.



Nice looking build so far, I wish i could see it done step by step. almost convincing me to build one for my 20 which is outfitted w/ only 4 ho t5. since im wanting mainly lps long term about how many LEDs would be needed to match or exceed the t5s that i have in there now without going way overboard? also cant you rewire a fixture later on to add more? sorry for the highjack

[BIGBIRD123]

On the 7 ups are they all the same color led or can you get like 3 blue/ 4 white? I have been talking with Justin about my wife's RSM 34g and we have an area of 5.5"W x 18"L x 2"H. I want to get as many in that I can. If they are the same color on each, can you stagger them? Like this...

X X X X X X X X X X X
l X X X X X X X X X X l
X X X X X X X X X X X

black X represents white...

[txg8gxp]

The 7 ups come in two versions. One is a 14K setup with 4 white and 3 blue, or a all blue one. That would be a insane amount of 7 ups:)




On the 7 ups are they all the same color led or can you get like 3 blue/ 4 white? I have been talking with Justin about my wife's RSM 34g and we have an area of 5.5"W x 18"L x 2"H. I want to get as many in that I can. If they are the same color on each, can you stagger them? Like this...

X X X X X X X X X X X
l X X X X X X X X X X l
X X X X X X X X X X X

black X represents white...

[txg8gxp]

I just though about it if each X is a 7 up, that would be 672w at over $1500 in emitters...




On the 7 ups are they all the same color led or can you get like 3 blue/ 4 white? I have been talking with Justin about my wife's RSM 34g and we have an area of 5.5"W x 18"L x 2"H. I want to get as many in that I can. If they are the same color on each, can you stagger them? Like this...

X X X X X X X X X X X
l X X X X X X X X X X l
X X X X X X X X X X X

black X represents white...

[BIGBIRD123]

Really not looking at doing that many , just curious as to if it could be done that way...

[corruption]

It could -- but that sucker would be BLINDING :) My eyes ache just thinking of powering it on the first time! :D

I looked at the 7-up's when I made my rough that I sent you -- I was just trying to keep the costs down on the initial plan as much as possible. The 4-way linear strips are available as a blend of white and royal blues -- I imagine Cutter can make them alternated... that would keep the spread pretty well even if thats your concern :)

-Justin

[robalv]

How many watts do you need per gallon or per inch or how ever you measure...

I see you are going with 243 watts for a 57 gallon tank. What is the footprint of your tank?

Just wondering what it would take for my tank 60" x 18" x 24" 120 Gal... would I need 500 watts and if so what would the cost be?

Just curious....

[txg8gxp]

It all come down to PAR levels, If you want really high par just use lower angle lenses and more leds closer together. I think my build will be pretty bright, but I plan to ramp in and out with a controller.



How many watts do you need per gallon or per inch or how ever you measure...

I see you are going with 243 watts for a 57 gallon tank. What is the footprint of your tank?

Just wondering what it would take for my tank 60" x 18" x 24" 120 Gal... would I need 500 watts and if so what would the cost be?

Just curious....

[txg8gxp]

My tank is 36x18x21

[chunkymonkey]

Nice looking build so far, I wish i could see it done step by step. almost convincing me to build one for my 20 which is outfitted w/ only 4 ho t5. since im wanting mainly lps long term about how many LEDs would be needed to match or exceed the t5s that i have in there now without going way overboard? also cant you rewire a fixture later on to add more? sorry for the highjack


I agree, I've though about this and trying one for my 100 gallon.