Planning a new tank... aka the world's longest AO 220g Starphire build log

[neogenix]

Hey! looking good, out of interest, why'd you pick the neptune systems controller?

[fjr_wertheimber]

Hey neogenix,

I was actually originally going to go with the Profilux III, but the Apex now does everything I wanted the Profilux for at a much better price point (interfaces with the Vortechs and the AI LEDs, network connected, etc.). How'd you like your AI SOL Blues?

[Mr Cob]

Awesome tank....reposting pic just cuz...

[neogenix]

They've not actually even arrived (been waiting > 6 weeks now), and should be arriving early next week. If things go according to plan, that is... :P The word on the street is that there're stock issus up the chain from AI, although, who knows why it's taken them so long to get to me... I ended up with the RKE for pretty much the same reason, however the Profilux has significantly more control from the web from what I understand, which would be really useful for me.

[fjr_wertheimber]

Hey Neogenix, any update on your AIs yet?

As for me, a few changes in plans... One, I've decided to not go with the AIs... Why, you ask? Well, I've decided to test my patience and my sanity, er, rather, I've decided to go the DIY route and build my own LED setup.
Although, I'm going to do a bunch of DIY CAT4101 drivers powered by 2 PFCs, rather than all the Meanwells...
Bear in mind, this is looking down the narrow end (if something 4' wide can be considered narrow).
So, the plan being, with the drivers set up the way I'd like, and controlled either via an Apex or a DIY Arduino controller, I'll be able to selectively dim and brighten throughout the day to give the impression of the sun traveling across the sky throughout the day.

Now, my only decision is whether to build my stand myself or to have a steel stand welded up... Anyone have a good source for a welder in Austin or San Antonio?

[Europhyllia]

Nice. That's a lot of bulbs!

[FireWater]

Wow, you will definitely have to log that build of the LEDs please. Looks impressive.

[txg8gxp]

Looks like it will be a great build. Your blue/white ratio looks good, and it sounds like you got the controller all figured out aswell.

[fjr_wertheimber]

Yeah, gonna be quite a few LEDs, but the nice thing about wiring this way, every line is broken up into three sets of six LEDs, (i.e.- each line is made up of 6 Royal Blue, 6 Cool White, and 6 Blue), and with each set of six dimmed separately I can not only adjust the brightness and slowly fade the "sun" across the "sky", but I can also adjust the color temperature throughout the artificial day (i.e.- the "golden hours", as photographers know, at the start and end of the day), as well. Plus it will give me more flexibility with programming "clouds", "storms", etc. It's not only going to take me quite some time to build, but to program as well, but once it's all done it should be pretty sweet, and something that I haven't really seen anyone do yet.

Thanks for the compliments on the plan so far, guys, but I can't really take all the credit. I liked the AI Sol Blue so much that I'm basically stealing their design, as far as color balance, optics, etc. I'll be using the same LEDs they use, in the same ratio, the only difference being that I'll use 60 degree optics throughout. That way if I angle in the two side pieces 30 degrees my coverage should drop straight down along the edge of the tank without wasting too much light as spillage outside the tank, yet have good even coverage throughout the tank itself. Should make for some good traveling shadows throughout the artificial day, too.

Can anyone think of anything I've missed so far? Any suggestions for changes/improvements?

[txg8gxp]

Sounds like you have done your research. It will be a great system. I can't wait to add a profilux controller to my system for cloud/storm/etc programming