Diy led

[brassmonkyballs]

Really depends on which brand LEDs you use. For these Fedy's 100 seems about right and matches Jaes distribution. Maybe use 80 of these 18000k and 20 RB. If it were to be Crees I would say a total of 60, 36 RB and 24 XPG R5 Cool Whites. But the Crees will cost way more and these Fedy 18000k that Jae found look really good. The 24 XPG Cree will cost more than the 100 Fedy.

Distance from the top of tank only matters so far as the optics used to focus them and allow them to penetrate deeper and so you would need 60 degree optics as Jae used.

Hope that helps

Originally Posted by FLGirl

I am new to reef keeping. I have not set up my tank yet. I was trying to find the correct lighting set up to be able to grow anything, when i came across this thread. I had wanted to do LEDs from the first and was convinced by people that the technology wasn't proved yet and i should stay away.

I really like the way Jae did his set up and i would really like to go this direction. I have a 60" x 18" x 24". I thought I read somewhere that 1 led would cover a 16sq in area (4" x 4"). Does that mean that 67 LEDs would be enough? That doesn't seem right. Jae has 4608 sq in and 440 LEDs which is 1 per 10.5 sq in; so for 1080 sq in would 100 LEDs be correct? When you are calculating how many you need do the royal blue LEDs count as 1 or are they just for looks?

Those of you in the know would someone please give a formula for figuring out how many LEDs you need. Figuring in surface area and depth of tank and the ability to sustain any reef creature that you can imagine. Is it possible to have 1 light fixture that can be used for any circumstance?

O....... and does distance from the top of the tank have anything to do with that math as well.

I apologize for being electrically inept. I am trying my best.

Oo.......since we're talking electricity how many of you have a dedictaed electrical line to box for your aquarium?


Thank You

[FLGirl]

Ok i think i got it.......if I did 3 - 60" x 2" strips put 20rb on center strip and put 23w and 7rb on the other 2 strips making every 4th light rb then spaced the strips 2" apart, would that be an adequate configuration for soft corals lps and sps? Then if I understood correctly get 1 small power supply for blue strip, 1 big power supply for the rest, so that you can turn on blues or main or both. wires, epoxy, and optic lenses....is that about it???

Would I be able to grow acroporas on the bottom of the 24" deep tank

[bigt0706]

Originally Posted by FLGirl

BigT ..... what is 3-1. Is that 3 white to 1 royal blue. So 45w + 15rb then a strip with 20rb?

yes fl girl , i actually going to add 12 more bulbs for a total 92

[bigt0706]

once i get the rest of my bulbs i will post my par readings im also using 60 degree optics on my 1800k as well

[Doug864]

Is the ratio of 3 white to 1 royal blue to get the look of a radium mh?
I can place my order once this is known.
Thanks,
Doug

[FLGirl]

Originally Posted by brassmonkyballs

Really depends on which brand LEDs you use. For these Fedy's 100 seems about right and matches Jaes distribution. Maybe use 80 of these 18000k and 20 RB. If it were to be Crees I would say a total of 60, 36 RB and 24 XPG R5 Cool Whites. But the Crees will cost way more and these Fedy 18000k that Jae found look really good. The 24 XPG Cree will cost more than the 100 Fedy.

Distance from the top of tank only matters so far as the optics used to focus them and allow them to penetrate deeper and so you would need 60 degree optics as Jae used.

Hope that helps

Thanks for the info. I went with 44rb and 76w with optics. I am not electronically savy, but from what I can tell this is exactly what I've been looking for. Low watts + low heat + enough light for coral. I was just about to throw in the towel and go with an expensive MH fixture when I found Reef Central.


THANK YOU Jae

AND

Thank YOU Brassmonkeyballs

[bigt0706]

Originally Posted by Doug864

Is the ratio of 3 white to 1 royal blue to get the look of a radium mh?
I can place my order once this is known.
Thanks,
Doug

3-1 seems to be the combo and then everone is doiing an all rb stip for acsent and dusk to dawn

[Typlus5]

OK, getting ready to jump in here. Here are my plans, please provide feedback.
I have a 5x2x2 150gl tank, 60” x 24” = 1440 sq inch surface area
97 - 18,000k Whites
30 - Royal Blue
2 - Power supply (large) (30RB/30W on one - 67W on the other)
130 - 60 degree optics
5 - 2-part epoxy

What type/size wire do I need to use? I plan to use my 48" ReefBrite LED strip as a supplement if needed.



What say ye?

[FLGirl]

You know. I almost did the same thing yesterday....But mine was more of a wiring question. Guess i'll post mine too.



If we call the power supply the beginning and the last string the end.....will I be joining 3 wires at each string end except for the ones at the last string. 1 wire coming thru the heatsink, 1 wire coming from the previous string and 1 wire going to the next string.?

I read on another DIY LED thread that the leds had to be the same type and qty on each string, is this applicable with these power supplies?

Wire ....... Jae said 20 guage, but the home depot link doesn't work anymore. Is there anything specific about the wire besides "20 guage"?

I know about salt creep.....But I am leaning towards glass between my light and the water surface instead of the sealant.

and I was thinking about going 15" above the surface of the water with the light.........Do you think this will be enough light for ANY type of coral?
Should it be closer?

BTW.......I ask alot of questions......Repeatedly.......please don't hate me too much

[bigt0706]

u would want to try and run the same amount leds on the same ballast , 20 guage wire u can run the twisted or hard wire they also sell at radio shack , as far as height u have to play with the height to see what best suits your needs , and yes on your wiring

[bigt0706]

and as far as optics most are only running them on the whites no need to run them on the rb ,but i would still order a few extra for beackage or damage

[brassmonkyballs]

FLGirl....what drivers (power supply in your post) are you talking about? Depending on this the answer to you question differs. In general though you will be wiring series-parallel. Each string of LEDs will be connected in series positive to neg, pos to neg .... +-+-+-+-+- etc. Then each string end will be connected together in parallel...all negatives at one end ------ and all positive at the other end ++++++. Then the driver positive gets connected to the positive ends of the strings and likewise for the negative. How many in series and in parallel is entirely dependent on the drivers to be used. This is critical.

As for the same type of LEDs in each string. Not entirely true. The important thing is they run at the same current. If the current is 700ma such as will be used on the FEDYs then you can not run a different LED rated lower than that with out frying it. On the other hand a Cree RB will be happy to run at 700ma along side the FEDYs.

Hope that helps.

Originally Posted by FLGirl

You know. I almost did the same thing yesterday....But mine was more of a wiring question. Guess i'll post mine too.



If we call the power supply the beginning and the last string the end.....will I be joining 3 wires at each string end except for the ones at the last string. 1 wire coming thru the heatsink, 1 wire coming from the previous string and 1 wire going to the next string.?

I read on another DIY LED thread that the leds had to be the same type and qty on each string, is this applicable with these power supplies?

Wire ....... Jae said 20 guage, but the home depot link doesn't work anymore. Is there anything specific about the wire besides "20 guage"?

I know about salt creep.....But I am leaning towards glass between my light and the water surface instead of the sealant.

and I was thinking about going 15" above the surface of the water with the light.........Do you think this will be enough light for ANY type of coral?
Should it be closer?

BTW.......I ask alot of questions......Repeatedly.......please don't hate me too much

[Doug864]

I take it you have to have a seperate power supply for the rb strip to be able to program it for dusk to dawn? If so there wouldn't be that many lights on that circuit correct?
Regards,
Doug

Originally Posted by bigt0706

3-1 seems to be the combo and then everone is doiing an all rb stip for acsent and dusk to dawn

[GUILLO1]

I should get my new power supplies tomorrow or Friday. Here is a quick picture showing the LEDs with some lenses on

[ptr13]

So I want to build a 72 inch fixture for a 225 with 31 inch in depth,I was thinking of 40 whites to 20 RB LEDs per 24 inch section,does that sound right? I am new to the configuration and would I be able to use the same drivers they have with the crees so I could place it in back of the heatsinks. Thanks in advance.

[bigt0706]

Originally Posted by Doug864

I take it you have to have a seperate power supply for the rb strip to be able to program it for dusk to dawn? If so there wouldn't be that many lights on that circuit correct?
Regards,
Doug

i am running 4 ballast 2 of the china 85w and 2 of the meanwell dimables wich will be running my rb strip

[FLGirl]

Originally Posted by brassmonkyballs

FLGirl....what drivers (power supply in your post) are you talking about? Depending on this the answer to you question differs.

I am getting 2 of the large power supplies and 1 of the small that the TBRC is ordering for the club.

small
buy led driver like this
85W constant power supply with 4.2A, 15-20V .

only using that for 15rb on center bar

large
i never read a detailed quotable description for the large as I did with the small but did catch that a 220 was returned for a 110 and that it powers 88 leds 11 in series and 8 in parallel.

Originally Posted by brassmonkyballs

As for the same type of LEDs in each string. Not entirely true. The important thing is they run at the same current. If the current is 700ma such as will be used on the FEDYs then you can not run a different LED rated lower than that with out frying it. On the other hand a Cree RB will be happy to run at 700ma along side the FEDYs.

Hope that helps.

Again not sure, it is what the club is ordering. The whites are the FEDYs but I am unclear about the RB. They are 2.29 each. Does that sound like crees? I don't know....... I was just looking over the thread and I noticed that Jae used FEDY rb's "wavelength of 440-450nm 700mA, 120degree, At price of USD1.28/pc." so i'll have to double check that. But if I understand what you are saying, then with the FEDYs it doesn't matter if 1 string in the parrallel has 1rb and 8w and another has 2rb and 7w as long as all leds are rated at 700ma, correct.

[bigt0706]

Originally Posted by ptr13

So I want to build a 72 inch fixture for a 225 with 31 inch in depth,I was thinking of 40 whites to 20 RB LEDs per 24 inch section,does that sound right? I am new to the configuration and would I be able to use the same drivers they have with the crees so I could place it in back of the heatsinks. Thanks in advance.

u are able to run the same ones as the crees u just need to be careful on witch ones u get , they recomend to run at 700ma , i would look into the contstant curant meanwells or the 700ma tomas reaserch dimable ballast as u could run more than 14 bulbs per ballast

[bigt0706]

Originally Posted by FLGirl

I am getting 2 of the large power supplies and 1 of the small that the TBRC is ordering for the club.

small
buy led driver like this
85W constant power supply with 4.2A, 15-20V .

only using that for 15rb on center bar

large
i never read a detailed quotable description for the large as I did with the small but did catch that a 220 was returned for a 110 and that it powers 88 leds 11 in series and 8 in parallel.



Again not sure, it is what the club is ordering. The whites are the FEDYs but I am unclear about the RB. They are 2.29 each. Does that sound like crees? I don't know....... I was just looking over the thread and I noticed that Jae used FEDY rb's "wavelength of 440-450nm 700mA, 120degree, At price of USD1.28/pc." so i'll have to double check that. But if I understand what you are saying, then with the FEDYs it doesn't matter if 1 string in the parrallel has 1rb and 8w and another has 2rb and 7w as long as all leds are rated at 700ma, correct.

the 2.29 is fro the rb fedys , crees are around 7.00 each the blues he origanaly got were 1.28/pc but they were not royal blues

[bigt0706]

Our 3w cool white led, with PCB, 220lm, 3.4-3.6V, 700mA , 18000-20000K , 120degree, Price is USD1.27/pc
3w royal blue led, 450-455nm with PCB, 120degree, 40-45lm, 3.4-3.6V, 700mA, Price is USD2.09/pc
60degree lenses for single 1w or 3w high power led. Price is 0.137/pc



this is what i payed when i ordered from them

[FLGirl]

Thanks for posting that info. I was missing some of that electrical detatils. Did you also get the drivers/power supplies. What are the specs on the large. The small is

85W constant power supply with 4.2A, 15-20V

but I never got the large.

[bigt0706]

Originally Posted by FLGirl

Thanks for posting that info. I was missing some of that electrical detatils. Did you also get the drivers/power supplies. What are the specs on the large. The small is

85W constant power supply with 4.2A, 15-20V

but I never got the large.

i got the small ones but i ask my friend he got the 200w ones

they are 200w at 5.6A , 36V

[brassmonkyballs]

I have to crash right now but FLGirl you cannot use that driver for 15 RBs. The range is 24-30 LEDs but the key thing is the Current output is 4.2 amps and you have to get that down to the individual LED rating by wiring in parallel and for these LEDs thats 6 strings. Divide the current of your driver by the rating of your LED to get the number of parallel strings needed....4.2/0.7 or 42/7=6. I'll explain more tomorrow.

Everyone not familiar with current and voltage please be careful on which driver you select depending on your LED arrangement. There are a slew of Meanwell drivers available here that can be used to accomplish anything you want to do. This 85W driver from FEDY is fine but you have to adhere to its capability which is strictly 5 series connected LEDs in a string and 6 of these strings connected in parallel. And no less than 4 in series by 6 strings else you will likely smoke your LEDs. If you cannot accomplish what you need to with these limitations you need to select a different driver.

Originally Posted by FLGirl

I am getting 2 of the large power supplies and 1 of the small that the TBRC is ordering for the club.

small
buy led driver like this
85W constant power supply with 4.2A, 15-20V .

only using that for 15rb on center bar

large
i never read a detailed quotable description for the large as I did with the small but did catch that a 220 was returned for a 110 and that it powers 88 leds 11 in series and 8 in parallel.



Again not sure, it is what the club is ordering. The whites are the FEDYs but I am unclear about the RB. They are 2.29 each. Does that sound like crees? I don't know....... I was just looking over the thread and I noticed that Jae used FEDY rb's "wavelength of 440-450nm 700mA, 120degree, At price of USD1.28/pc." so i'll have to double check that. But if I understand what you are saying, then with the FEDYs it doesn't matter if 1 string in the parrallel has 1rb and 8w and another has 2rb and 7w as long as all leds are rated at 700ma, correct.

[flworkd]

Originally Posted by FLGirl

You know. I almost did the same thing yesterday....But mine was more of a wiring question. Guess i'll post mine too.



If we call the power supply the beginning and the last string the end.....will I be joining 3 wires at each string end except for the ones at the last string. 1 wire coming thru the heatsink, 1 wire coming from the previous string and 1 wire going to the next string.?

I read on another DIY LED thread that the leds had to be the same type and qty on each string, is this applicable with these power supplies?

Wire ....... Jae said 20 guage, but the home depot link doesn't work anymore. Is there anything specific about the wire besides "20 guage"?

I know about salt creep.....But I am leaning towards glass between my light and the water surface instead of the sealant.

and I was thinking about going 15" above the surface of the water with the light.........Do you think this will be enough light for ANY type of coral?
Should it be closer?

BTW.......I ask alot of questions......Repeatedly.......please don't hate me too much

I got my wire from lowes~~

[FLGirl]

Originally Posted by bigt0706

they are 200w at 5.6A , 36V

so the 5.6A / .7 (700mA) =8
got that part

How do you know how many can go on each string