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07/15/2011, 09:09 PM | #76 | |
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07/15/2011, 09:16 PM | #77 | |
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07/16/2011, 10:54 AM | #78 |
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Keep posting everyone! Keep it up!
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07/16/2011, 05:06 PM | #79 |
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I'm sure others have questions, pics, or comments to post! Don't be shy anyone!
I'll make sure to post pics when my 2 AI Sol blues get here on tuesday! |
07/16/2011, 05:45 PM | #80 |
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I started a 20long build a couple weeks ago and want to use LEDs. I'm handy in the DIY world and wiring these up is no problem but I just dont know what lights are "right." At only 12" deep, it wouldnt seem like I'd need anything crazy in the intensity department but I just dont know. Is a 24" pendant wide enough to cover a 30" long tank?
My budget is ~$500 and I'd really like a dimmable setup (preferably one that is electronically controlled as I head to work before the sun comes up). What do I look for in LEDs? The LFS wanted to sell me Panorama/Stunners today but I knew nothing about them so I passed. I'd like an SPS or two, same for LPS, and some stuff like toadstools and xenias. Oh, gotta have a small crocea in there. I had a 40 reef for about 10 years while living in AZ but took it down when I moved to CA so I have a fair amount of experience in the hobby. Appreciate any info, I'm just a bit overwhelmed in the LED department. I find the shimmer from them irresistible (had VHOs on my last tank). |
07/16/2011, 08:52 PM | #81 | |
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Anymore questions, feel free to ask. The AI's will give you control like you are hoping for. |
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07/16/2011, 09:50 PM | #82 | |
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http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-...ium-LED/Detail I would recommend this heatsink at 24" long. http://www.heatsinkusa.com/categories/5.886%22/ My preference is to screw them down to the heatsink using a #40 drill bit and #4 x 3/8" sheet metal screws...no tapping required. If you like you can use the thermal epoxy supplied with the kit to glue them down but then you can't get them back off. If you want to screw them down Rapid will swap it for thermal paste. You can do it for under $300 total and keep anything you like in the tank. I just put my drivers on different timers but if you want it to ramp up and down here's a cheap purpose made controller for that purpose. You can run multiple drivers off one but you would need 2 if you want the colors to ramp at different times...this increases your total of course. http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-...ler/Categories Feel free to ask any questions that come to mind. |
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07/17/2011, 07:47 AM | #83 | |
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To answer the previous question, no, I do not have a canopy. I had planned on sort of unit like the SOL comes with (whether I build it or buy a setup like that). |
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07/17/2011, 09:36 AM | #84 | |
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I was going to suggest you run 18 LEDs but then the 30" has me a little concerned on coverage as you suggest. Alot depends on how high you will mount the fixture. On my 4x2x2 120g I am running 4 rows of 18 and the fixture is about 8" above the water and am using no optics...(though I just added some 60 degrees to the front row only and on the blues only...as an experiment). Thats how I arrived at the 24 kit and 2 rows of 12 as a recommendation. The higher you hang it the more spread you get so if you went with 18 LEDs and hung it up 12"+ I think you'll get plenty of coverage. If you're going to hang it higher then you need tight optics if only to prevent from lighting the room around the tank as much as the tank. Then the next question is do you want to dim the colors separately (normally yes)...but you can use just one of those drivers and wire it in 2 parallel strings if you wanted and run them around 700ma. I made an actinic only fixture for a friend with 28 LEDs off one of those drivers. In this case i would recommend more RB to CW because you can't change them. If 2 drivers you can mix the color to your satisfaction. |
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07/17/2011, 10:28 AM | #85 |
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I want to get the LEDs closer to the tank to prevent light creeping into the room but the canopy can be designed to help mitigate that as well. I had planned on running 2 drivers and was even thinking about wiring in a few LEDs in the red spectrum (I've seen a few setups with these and it was very appealing to the eye). Speaking of drivers, how do you control them to produce an evenly graduated sun up/down scenario? It seems most people are just powering up a specific number/type of light vice reproducing a nice gradual effect?
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07/17/2011, 11:47 AM | #86 | |
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07/17/2011, 01:03 PM | #87 |
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FelixC395, I am waiting for a 72 bowfront to come in and have been looking at the AI Sol Blues... I would run them 8-14 inches AWL and mounted sideways. I am not sure about the shadowing due to only having 2 units plus the center brace but I will play with that and might have to order a 3rd unit. My question to you is, due to the bow (13 inches at the sides and 18 in the middle) I was thinking of playing around with the optics. I was thinking somehting like having the 70's in the on one end (the middle ends) and the 40's on the outside ends. I figure this will cut down on light spilling out and let me keep a clam/ a few sps in those outside areas and LPS in the middle of the tank. Anythought?
BTW you going with the standard optics?... Looking forward to your pictures!! |
07/17/2011, 01:35 PM | #88 | |
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2 x rs1.0 = $100 1 x 30" heatsink = $65 2 x TRC-040S070DS = $80 2 x fan and power supply = $30 total around $275 plus shipping |
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07/17/2011, 05:59 PM | #89 | |
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07/17/2011, 10:23 PM | #90 | |
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The great thing about AI for your tank is that you can use three if you want mounted sideways, kind of like this, ------ ------- ------ ------- ------ ------ To get spread for your entire bowfront if two do not suffice. Hope this helps, and I'll make sure to post pics as soon as I can. |
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07/17/2011, 10:25 PM | #91 |
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The diagram thing didn't work, so sorry... But I hope you kind of understand what I meant. My bad.
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07/18/2011, 06:18 AM | #92 |
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So to get proper coverage over a 180g it would require 6 AI units at $529, rails at $79.95, controller at $79.95, and hanging kit at $34.95 soooo $3,368.85? Hmmm 10 times the cost of replacing T5's -- short term of course.
I am wondering if I could get away with 5 -- one end of my tank has the overflow but there are corals growing there. Just a big waste of money putting lights over the overflow. This is a peninsula tank so the overflow is like an island at one end of the tank. It would be better to put strips of lights on each side versus across the top of the tank on the overflow end. Actually I am thinking 4 and a couple of strips? Would that work?
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Sherri Current Tank Info: 400g - 65g DT and 180g peninsula DT both drop into basement. 5 tanks plus a QT in the basement. |
07/18/2011, 07:15 AM | #93 |
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I'm new with the LED systems but i have a 60x36x27, i would think four would be plenty for you. I'm looking at the Al's and i'm going with 3-4 max from what i hear these modules put out a ton of light, i don't want to waste money. My system is SPS dominate.
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07/18/2011, 07:41 AM | #94 |
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I just don't know what to do about the overflow end that's all. I have SPS and LPS -- just wondering what to do. My constellation is going through bulbs like crazy so I am abit fed up with it. Probably would have to have the lights pretty high to begin with so the corals don't get burned.
They say on the sites to put one every 12 inches but you don't need it up against the end I guess.
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Sherri Current Tank Info: 400g - 65g DT and 180g peninsula DT both drop into basement. 5 tanks plus a QT in the basement. |
07/18/2011, 08:27 AM | #95 |
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like all you guys and girls looking to upgrade,i also would like to cut down my lighting bills,i have age tank 72x30x30.75 deep like to upgrade to cree XM-L i have a canopy,like to keep the lights high 18inchs min,sps tank,like other posts need to know length width drivers and how many leds and spacing like to use dimmable drivers,and how many heat sinks,and optics,thanks for any and all help
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07/18/2011, 09:53 AM | #96 |
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AI Controller
Does anyone familiar with the AI controller have any info on type of output control and connection method? Is it 0-10v or PWM? I'm wondering why I couldn't hook this controller up to my DIY fixture.....
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07/18/2011, 11:30 AM | #98 |
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Do the Panorama Pros produce enough light for a shallow tank? Would be nice to buy a couple every couple of weeks. Where can you find hoods less the light fixtures? I've been digging all over and cant find them.
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07/18/2011, 11:55 AM | #99 |
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Okay -- I just had a chat with the guy at Aquacave and ordered 3 AI fixture kit but I got 3 12 inch set of hanging rails so that I can hang the lights the long way over my tank versus the way the longer rails make you hang the lights. As my tank is a peninsula most of my corals are in the center. They will come next week... bye bye aquatinics fixture.
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Sherri Current Tank Info: 400g - 65g DT and 180g peninsula DT both drop into basement. 5 tanks plus a QT in the basement. |
07/18/2011, 04:47 PM | #100 | |
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for the ebay 120w, isn't it over kill for such a small tank? how are you going to handle the light glaring at you if you were to set it high? it does not have lens to limit the light spill. also. how are you going to create the gradual sunset and sunrise with it? |
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