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pv1191
03/31/2007, 06:03 PM
I just purchased a 90 g with an oak cabinet and hood. I an looking at my lighting options. I can have a retro kit built with two 175 MH and actinics, but I have power issues at my house. It was built in 1915 and the last time there was serious eletrical work done was in the 70's. I am plumbing a closed loop system so when you include a pump ( approx 1500gph), sump return ( 1200GPH), Skimmer (600GPH) and a chiller (500GPH) the power demands on the 20 amp circuit is already taxed. This loop only has 4 outlets that I have found. Only two are currently being used for my 50g system. Are LED's an option? I have looked closly at the Solaris systems and for what I need they have a 36" with 60 LED's It looks like 40 white and 20 blue. The problem is I don't want to pay the $3k. I have found a local nor cal compant that makes sealed LED sticks that come in pairs. 20 white and 20 blue or all white or all blue that run off of one power supply. If I fabricated a hood to contain three of these units would it be enough for a mixed reef?

pv1191
03/31/2007, 09:00 PM
bump

draleigh
03/31/2007, 09:58 PM
I think you are going to find that the sealed LED sticks don't use the same LED's They are usually much lower wattage LED's. Check to see what LED's they use, i think the Solaris uses K2 or something like that

sjj80
03/31/2007, 11:44 PM
36" solaris $1568 at www.everything4saltwater.com I have the 48" and love it. They're totally programable for ultimate control. If you want to do LEDs I would go this route.

pv1191
03/31/2007, 11:51 PM
These are in an array of 48 led's not sticks. Each array is rated at an equivalant to 250 watts. Alot of makers are using the blue leds instead of actinics. I was thinking I could use 4 of the 48 bulb white arrays and two 20"( 12 led's each) of the blue and mount them in my hood. If the ratings are correct that would be 1000+ watts of light for a 90g tank, with almost no heat and only about 14 watts of power draw.

pv1191
03/31/2007, 11:52 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9618845#post9618845 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjj80
36" solaris $1568 at www.everything4saltwater.com I have the 48" and love it. They're totally programable for ultimate control. If you want to do LEDs I would go this route.

Could you loan me $1568?

pv1191
04/01/2007, 03:17 PM
hello

draleigh
04/02/2007, 09:26 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9618881#post9618881 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pv1191
These are in an array of 48 led's not sticks. Each array is rated at an equivalant to 250 watts. Alot of makers are using the blue leds instead of actinics. I was thinking I could use 4 of the 48 bulb white arrays and two 20"( 12 led's each) of the blue and mount them in my hood. If the ratings are correct that would be 1000+ watts of light for a 90g tank, with almost no heat and only about 14 watts of power draw.


Where are you finding these? I would be interested to see what they look like and cost compaired to the Solaris

pv1191
04/02/2007, 04:28 PM
My math was wrong for the total wattage for this system. It will be just under 120 watts. Which is much less than the 600+ I would require for a traditional MH

ipwizard
04/02/2007, 05:55 PM
Do you have a link to where your buying your LED lighting (strips/cluster) from. Would like to check into this?

Has anyone looked into making your own LED lighting? (Havent looked in the DIY section just curious.)

pv1191
04/02/2007, 09:49 PM
I'm going to put one of these to use. I don't want to assemble all the components so I'm trying to get them to at least put the arrays togather with the power supplies. I can put it into a retro fit hood. Who know if it works I might have a home business in the making. I'll keep you informed of my progress. So IP do I have a link? Yes. And if this works I'll share the link to my store :D

sjj80
04/02/2007, 10:01 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9618885#post9618885 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pv1191
Could you loan me $1568?

I listed the price to demonstrate that a 36" solaris doesn't cost "3k" as you had mentioned. If it is possible to recreate the same PAR as the solaris with the LEDs you're interested in, I say go for it. But remember if you buy cheap you buy twice!!!;)

ipwizard
04/02/2007, 11:27 PM
So IP do I have a link? Yes. And if this works I'll share the link to my store :D

;) I see how it is. I was looking in the DIY forum and there are a couple people talking about LED lighting and it seems very possible. I might also dive in and give it a shot.

pv1191
04/03/2007, 11:41 PM
I have had alot of posts on and ther forum. From what I have been able to learn is the solaris lighting system is 12 white and 13 blue at 3 watts each. Well the array I'm looking at is 16 three bulb arrays at about 1.84 watts each. Now knowing that LED light is more directional than conventional what is the penetration at a depth of 24". Will I lose too much light at the lower depths? or will the combined wattage compensate? IE 4 48 bulb arrays that are rated at 5000k each suffice? I dont know! Will I have enough light at the lower levels to support my current zoo's and LPS?

pv1191
04/07/2007, 09:20 PM
I have decided to go with an 8 bulb t5 array with blue leds

kodyboy
04/08/2007, 08:42 AM
8 bulb T5 sounds better to me. What T5 unit? Why 8 bulbs? What bulbs? Make sure your unit has individual reflectors, good bulbs (geisman, ATI, URL, etc.) and active cooling (a fan). Make sure NOT to get a current nova extreme, crappy unit.
tek ligt and aquactinics are great T5 units, with a slight not going to aquactinics-better reflectors and active cooling

pv1191
04/09/2007, 04:32 PM
This is a retro fit unit from Catalina Aquarium in Sacramento. It comes with your choice of bulbs (he has good list to choose from) , individual reflectors, and blue LED Moonlights for $340. For fans I just ordered a 4 4inch fan kit with a seperate controller so you can adjust the fan speed. Beacuse the back of canopy is open I'll set two up on each side and let it exit out the back. A friend does alot of business with him so I should be able to get a better price then that!