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Unread 04/16/2012, 07:54 AM   #26
bepece
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Looks good, are you using the 3/4" c-channel? Thanks for the details, this will be perfect in my 90G canopy.


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Unread 04/16/2012, 11:29 AM   #27
SchnitzelReef
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CaliO View Post
IF you want spot lights then yes... I figure [SchnitzelReef] 180g tank is 72" x 24" x 24" and he has 90 leds.. (6 drivers? WHY?)

So I figure because your 375g is 2' longer, 6"wider and 6" deeper.

IMO You will need something like 160 - 200 leds... With 45* degree optics.
Granted this is too be able to keep clams on the sea bed too... But if your serious send Ray an email at aquastyleonline.com He is awsome for as much business as they get he handles it all.. Throws in a few extra leds "in case" the whole nine. Plus will tell you what he thinks without trying to make a bigger sale...
Im actually running 7 Drivers. And the reason is so that i can control them all seperately. and i wanted to hook them up series not parallel. and IMO 120Leds would be enought, It really depends more on how u set them up. Like most people would say 90 is not enough for 180g tank, but my tank is SUPER bright and my clams are doing great as are my SPS. the choice of optics also depends on the height of the fixture, you cant just say hey you have a 30" tank so get 45 degree optics. How many leds, what size optics etc etc really depends on the tank, what kind of coral, and what kind and what size heatsink. If you can figure out an efficient way to mount the leds and get enough spread than 200 leds is not needed. LIke in my tank 90 lights my tank without any shadows or dark spots, and im running 80 degree optics but my fixture is 8" off my water. Like if you were to try to light your tank with 3 smaller heatsinks from heatsink usa then yes u may end up needed 200. Because you would have to mount all the leds on those small heatsinks and cram them all together. Now if you were to use c channel and have it the whole length of the tank, you could spread out each LED evenly over the whole tank..IMO lighting the tank more efficiently then cramming a bunch of leds in a small heatsink ..hope my opinion might help


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Unread 04/16/2012, 11:35 AM   #28
SchnitzelReef
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yes all i am using is 3/4" C channel and it is working great..just make sure u have some fans. I have 2-4" fans blowing from each end of my 72" canopy and my heatsink stays very cool. The fans do make a big diff! when i first tested it, i thought i didnt need fans at all. But after more testing it is alot better if you have at least 2 fans blowing towards each other on each end of the heatisnk (c channel)


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Unread 04/16/2012, 12:53 PM   #29
noplay180
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how much was the 3/4 u channel at home depot per 92inch strip


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Unread 04/16/2012, 02:23 PM   #30
SchnitzelReef
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I think it was actually 96" if I remember correctly and I know each strip was right around $10


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Unread 04/16/2012, 03:45 PM   #31
noplay180
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Ok I found some 3/4 U-channel from Ace Hardware and it was 1/16 thickness, I also went by a metal shop and they told me 3.00 ft but that was for 1" 1/8 thickness is there any advantages in the wider and thick material.


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Unread 04/16/2012, 04:55 PM   #32
reefermad619
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The wider thicker material will have better heat dissipation. Meaning it will run cooler with the same amount of LEDs on it.


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Unread 04/16/2012, 11:11 PM   #33
SchnitzelReef
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YEP thats true..the more surface area you have the better job it will do at cooling. I did the 3/4" because it was cheaper and available.


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Unread 04/16/2012, 11:25 PM   #34
noplay180
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I see that you only used 4 with three having leds im thinking about doing 6 95" long. Having trouble making a decision which kit to purchase


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Unread 04/17/2012, 12:39 AM   #35
SchnitzelReef
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Ya I left it like that in case I wanted to add more LEDs down the road. (most of the stuff I have written in all these posts I already wrote in the original thread...come on guys!!!! Lol)


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Unread 04/17/2012, 12:59 PM   #36
noplay180
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Is there a phone number for aquastyleonline, emailed the still no response.


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Unread 04/17/2012, 01:24 PM   #37
reefnewbie83177
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills View Post
From what I see on the reef angel website is that it is ran on an arduino based platform (as is the Typhon) which means they use a PWM (digital signal) for dimming. The Meanwell ELN-D drivers were created to run on a analog 10v signal.

I fear that unless you switch to running ELN-P's you're going to run into the same issue of no controllability. Perhaps someone else will chime in on this.

Would highly recommend a splash shield. Shock and short hazards are one reason but quite a few folks who've ran rigs like this without them have reported having to replace many leds after about 2 years of running due to corrosion issues from moisture.
I believe that the reef angel just put out a controller that will handle the analog signal. Check there website.


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Unread 04/17/2012, 02:01 PM   #38
noplay180
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Just received an email from ray recommending two 108 kits had anyone used the drivers that come with that kit lpf 90 d48

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Unread 04/17/2012, 06:14 PM   #39
2Quills
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reefnewbie83177 View Post
I believe that the reef angel just put out a controller that will handle the analog signal. Check there website.
Yep, saw it. Thanks!


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Unread 04/21/2012, 06:11 PM   #40
SchnitzelReef
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tried to get some better pics...downloaded that Camera+ app on iphone and it helped alot i think also just ordered my Apex cant wait to get it all setup!


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Unread 04/21/2012, 06:12 PM   #41
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Unread 04/23/2012, 03:18 PM   #42
InADream
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Hey bud,

I love the build, and the tank. I am getting ready to order my kit and had a few questions, I hope you don't mind me posting in your thread.

I have a 90 gallon 48"x18"x24" and am going to order the 72 led kit with mean well drivers. My question is should I go with a 2:1 ratio of blues:whites, with 50% 10000k and 50% 6500k, or 1:1 ratio of blues:whites and do the 50% 10000k and 50% 6500k.

I am going to order an extra driver to control each color separately?

I am looking for a 14,000k look, I don't like too blue of a look but I want a semi blue look, confused yet?

Last question is if my lights are around 10" from the surface should I go with 80 degree optics..


Thanks a ton,


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Last edited by InADream; 04/23/2012 at 03:19 PM. Reason: Forgot something
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Unread 04/24/2012, 12:57 AM   #43
SchnitzelReef
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Yes 72 LED will be plenty for your tank. Just build a c channel heatsink and spread the leds out evenly across the tank and u will get *****en spread. If ur looking for a 14k look then you will def WANT to go with a 2:1 ratio. I have seen a 3:1 ratio and it looks too blue. I have also seen the 1:1 and it looks 10k. The whites over power the blue and it DOES NOT look good IMO. If it were me i would order:

48-Royal Blue
8-6500k white
6-10000k
4- 420nm violet
3-4500k
3-Cyan
that would give u a pretty sweet full spectrum fixture and i would def do 80 degree optics. the 60 would prolly be too narrow, my 80s look great. dont run optics on the cyan, 4500k, or the 420nm good luck


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Unread 04/24/2012, 06:40 PM   #44
InADream
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Thanks for getting back to me, I will probably go with the 2:1 RB to W, I dont know if I will go with the exotic colors right now. I am picking up 10 BL 4500K from a fellow reefer this weekend. So if they look too blue to me I will have some NW to balance it out.

I am also going to pickup an extra driver so that I can tweak the colors a little more, I will run each color on a driver. If I go with the 2:1 with no exotics would you recommend the 50% 10k and 50% 6500k, the 50% 6500k and 50% 4500k, or 50% 10k and 50% 4500k..

Thanks for the help, next I have to begin designing the heatsink. What do you recommend for distance between the LEDs from center to center, and the distance between the rails.

Thanks Again,


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Unread 04/24/2012, 07:05 PM   #45
InADream
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Change of plans, I am looking into the full spectrum that you stated.. LOL I am going o see if I can work it out. I am glad I will have the extra 4500k in case it looks too blue..

When I build the fixture, do you make it the size of the tank or a little smaller. my tank is 48x18. Should the fixture be 46x16..

Thanks


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Unread 04/25/2012, 05:11 AM   #46
SchnitzelReef
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I built my channel 62" long so I had 5" on each side. Distance between LEDs were about 1" or little less. And I spread out each channel 3" apart. As far as the color mix, I would do more 6500 and fewer 10000 and 4500. The 4500 is really yellow, but I have heard of some Guys liking that look, but I can't say because I haven't seen a fixture with lots of 4500. I'm only running 5 on my setup.


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Unread 04/25/2012, 06:20 AM   #47
InADream
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Thanks for the response,

I am going to start building the fixture this weekend, I have taken your advice and going to run the violet, and cyan. I only got the 4500 because a fellow reefer had them and there were a good price. I may order the kit with 50% 10k and 50% 6500K, and since I will have 10 of the 4500K I should be able to tweak the lights to my liking. I will keep the 48 RB and have 10 of each white. That way with the RB, white, violet and cyan I should be able to tweak the lights for a good spectrum.

Thanks for all the help, do you have any more pics of your tank, and did you switch any LEDs out like you talked about.


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Unread 04/25/2012, 09:18 AM   #48
NickC5FE
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Hey guys, I am considering getting these lights to hang over my wife's 20L. I like the 14-20k look with lots of pop. Can u guys recommend a good ratio? I was going to get the 24 led kit. Should I use any magenta led's or just go blue/white? Oh yeah-no planned SPS for this tank, so only LPs and softies. Thanks


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Unread 04/25/2012, 04:45 PM   #49
SchnitzelReef
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NickC5FE View Post
Hey guys, I am considering getting these lights to hang over my wife's 20L. I like the 14-20k look with lots of pop. Can u guys recommend a good ratio? I was going to get the 24 led kit. Should I use any magenta led's or just go blue/white? Oh yeah-no planned SPS for this tank, so only LPs and softies. Thanks
24 will be plenty Just stick to the 2:1-blue:white. I'd do 16 royal blue, 6 6500k, and you can either do 2-4500k or just do a total of 8 6500k. I wouldn't add colored LEDs to a tank that small. Might overpower the other LEDs and it could stand out in ur tank


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Unread 04/25/2012, 07:03 PM   #50
NickC5FE
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Thanks Schnitzel! Last question- would the 16 inch heatsink be ok on her 30 " long tank? I really dont like the look of the c-channel stuff, she doesnt have a canopy.......what degree optics/height would you use for full coverage with a fixture that is 12" shorter than the length of the tank....? Thanks



Last edited by NickC5FE; 04/25/2012 at 07:52 PM.
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