allenb94
02/06/2016, 08:32 PM
Hey guys so like the title says, I'm going to start building my first LED fixture for my 20 Long softie/LPS tank. I'm upgrading from my HO fluorescent fixture. Nothing is wrong with it, but I am getting slow growth and subpar color out of it.
The inspiration for the build is from a guy named TinyGiant over at Nano-Reef that built an impressive fixture out of cheap Chinese 3w LED bulbs. Here's the link to his build:
http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/267432-gu10-led-build-thread-chinese-ebay-lights/
His results speak for themselves and are pretty promising. I'm using the same bulbs and basic idea and just tweaking it a bit to fit me better, and maybe get better color and growth. I'm including UV bulbs which I've heard increase color and some say that the UV/Purple spectrum provides for better growth
I'm planning on having a 1:1:1 blue, to UV, to white. The blue and UV lights are 3W per bulb and will be wired parallel to one power source. The white lights are 6W and wired to a dimmer so I can control light intensity as needed. I'll be able to do a dawn/dusk effect by wiring them seperately.
I want to add two strips of cheap green LEDs just to enhance the color of the coral, and a strip of blue for a couple hours of moonlight after the main lights go off at night.
Everything will be mounted to a custom built MDF box hung over my tank. The inside will be covered in a reflective material (Foil? Not sure) and covered with a light diffuser to help blend the color and protect the lights from water.
Here are links to the products I plan on using:
White Bulbs: http://www.ebay.com/itm/171813686721?var=470751037579
Blue Bulbs: http://www.ebay.com/itm/351183399201?var=620373765264
UV Bulbs: http://www.ebay.com/itm/281782872490?_trksid=p2060353.m2763.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Green and Blue LED Strips: http://www.ebay.com/itm/111460950235?var=410452834866
e27 Bulb Sockets:http://www.ebay.com/itm/301664448999?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I've attached a plan and section of my idea and how I'm laying it out, and was wondering if any of you guys have comments or suggestions. Thanks!!!
I'm planning on documenting the build and results as well.
The inspiration for the build is from a guy named TinyGiant over at Nano-Reef that built an impressive fixture out of cheap Chinese 3w LED bulbs. Here's the link to his build:
http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/267432-gu10-led-build-thread-chinese-ebay-lights/
His results speak for themselves and are pretty promising. I'm using the same bulbs and basic idea and just tweaking it a bit to fit me better, and maybe get better color and growth. I'm including UV bulbs which I've heard increase color and some say that the UV/Purple spectrum provides for better growth
I'm planning on having a 1:1:1 blue, to UV, to white. The blue and UV lights are 3W per bulb and will be wired parallel to one power source. The white lights are 6W and wired to a dimmer so I can control light intensity as needed. I'll be able to do a dawn/dusk effect by wiring them seperately.
I want to add two strips of cheap green LEDs just to enhance the color of the coral, and a strip of blue for a couple hours of moonlight after the main lights go off at night.
Everything will be mounted to a custom built MDF box hung over my tank. The inside will be covered in a reflective material (Foil? Not sure) and covered with a light diffuser to help blend the color and protect the lights from water.
Here are links to the products I plan on using:
White Bulbs: http://www.ebay.com/itm/171813686721?var=470751037579
Blue Bulbs: http://www.ebay.com/itm/351183399201?var=620373765264
UV Bulbs: http://www.ebay.com/itm/281782872490?_trksid=p2060353.m2763.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Green and Blue LED Strips: http://www.ebay.com/itm/111460950235?var=410452834866
e27 Bulb Sockets:http://www.ebay.com/itm/301664448999?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I've attached a plan and section of my idea and how I'm laying it out, and was wondering if any of you guys have comments or suggestions. Thanks!!!
I'm planning on documenting the build and results as well.