Cliff Puckstable June 24, 2012 June 24, 2012 I recently got a 55g, and with this setup I wanted to do things differently. My old lighting was 3x150w MH 20k. I wanted to spend the least amount of money with this setup. I thought the install was very easy. I would recommend getting a quality sodering iron. I had to buy one because my old one was teh suck. The procedure was monotonous, but after 2 hours it was all done. I went to HD and got some wood and made a bootlegged canopy. I found some aluminum railing shaped in a U and used them for my heat sinks. It was pretty straight forward. Dont' let this intimate you, I believe anyone can make one of these. I went with the 36 LED kit with dimmable controllers(it was cheaper). I got the package from Hong Kong in 3 business days! And, I found 4 extra LED's in my kit, labeled "spares". These guys are great! I paid $127 shipped for everything. This is the layout that I wanted. FTS {20} Royal Blue @ 100%, {20} 10k @ 100% (it looks bluer than my 20k MH's)I plan on keeping mostly LPS and some SPS. I'm certain these can grow'em, they're brighter than a mug! Lets see how long these last....
Dr.eclipse June 24, 2012 June 24, 2012 looks good, but you may want to get a par reading. im not sure 36 3 watt leds is going to be enough on 55. you got these from aquastyleonline right?
Cliff Puckstable June 24, 2012 Author June 24, 2012 Yes, they're from Aquastyle. I thought I put it in the heading of the thread. Meh, if someone wants to come get a par reading, sure. I'm not going to go out of my way to find out though. I'm running {40} 3w LED's with 60 degree optics, 6" above the water. I'm sure they'll do fine.
Marc Weaver June 24, 2012 June 24, 2012 I measured 800 par with the club's meter at the bottom of a 20 gallon at 100% CW and 100% RB with the same kit mounted 8" above the water. You should be just fine!!
Cliff Puckstable June 25, 2012 Author June 25, 2012 (edited) Thanks mates I have them mounted on top of my canopy like so My only complaint so far would be the dimmers. I feel that from 100%-80% is the only difference. 95%-100% makes a huge difference. I feel that 0-80% makes no significant difference. I leave them both at 100% anyways, so it's really nothing for me to complain about, but I thought I'd share that piece of info. Another FTS for fun. Edited June 25, 2012 by greeninja
Rosco's Reefs June 30, 2012 June 30, 2012 I am really interested in building one of these kits but every time I get ready to pull the trigger, I pull back. My latest fear is optics. I just don't understand them. I will probably go with the 8 inch by 20 inch heat sink (on a 48 x 18" tank.) Would I need two of those? They offer 80, 60, and 45 degree optics, and I plan to probably spread the 72 light kit out over that space. Thx in advance for your advice.
zygote2k June 30, 2012 June 30, 2012 looks good, but you may want to get a par reading. im not sure 36 3 watt leds is going to be enough on 55. you got these from aquastyleonline right? Par readings mean nothing with LED's. Especially ones without optics. 108w of LED will grow anything provided the water quality is good. You better get a fan too.
Cliff Puckstable June 30, 2012 Author June 30, 2012 I am really interested in building one of these kits but every time I get ready to pull the trigger, I pull back. My latest fear is optics. I just don't understand them. I will probably go with the 8 inch by 20 inch heat sink (on a 48 x 18" tank.) Would I need two of those? They offer 80, 60, and 45 degree optics, and I plan to probably spread the 72 light kit out over that space. Thx in advance for your advice. I don't know much about the optics as well. I just know when I put them on, it spreads the light more evenly and it looks better. I'm not sure if the 8" wide heat sink will be big enough for a 18" tank. I have mine spread out 6" on a 12er. Heatsinkusa sells many different size heat sinks. I was considering them, but I didn't want to hang my lights. I wanted them in a canopy so that they don't blind me when I look at my tank from my couch. Par readings mean nothing with LED's. Especially ones without optics. 108w of LED will grow anything provided the water quality is good. You better get a fan too. Do you think a couple computer fans will suffice? I was thinking of just getting a clamp fan and have them face the heat sinks when the LED's are on.
clearsky57 June 30, 2012 June 30, 2012 Do you think a couple computer fans will suffice? I was thinking of just getting a clamp fan and have them face the heat sinks when the LED's are on I made my own wood canopy for my 75 and I have 2 175 mh lites in it... I am adding 2 actinic t5's on a different timer for dawn/dusk lighting transition and I have a led moonlite but don't care for it, so going to find something a little better for nighttime... anyhow, getting off topic... the top (of the canopy) is open, but still felt like I needed to move air up there, so I bought two "door fans" ( got them from lowes, they are triangular fans that fit in doorways for your house and help move air from room to room.... they are pretty quiet, and are not too large, maybe 8"x8" on the 90degree sides, about 3" deep), and I attached them in either corner of the top, and presently have them blowing up/out of the top and are on the same timer as the metal haylides... someone suggested blowing one down towards the water , which he thought might cool air better blowing over the surface...??? anyhow,,,, no holes needed to be cut into the sides of the top and pretty quiet... worked for me..... david
stankyd July 26, 2012 July 26, 2012 Thanks mates I have them mounted on top of my canopy like so My only complaint so far would be the dimmers. I feel that from 100%-80% is the only difference. 95%-100% makes a huge difference. I feel that 0-80% makes no significant difference. I leave them both at 100% anyways, so it's really nothing for me to complain about, but I thought I'd share that piece of info. Another FTS for fun. The lights look really good and I love your rock work! Dave
jimlin July 26, 2012 July 26, 2012 is it better to have lights thats more towards the 20k range for corals?
Cliff Puckstable July 26, 2012 Author July 26, 2012 My understanding is that corals grow "better" closer to 10k lighting, but look prettier in 20k lighting. Not sure if the LEDs had broken in, but they now look closer to 14k lighting if not lighter. My sps corals are doing good. I'll get some new pictures this weekend.
jimlin July 26, 2012 July 26, 2012 oh darn, I just ordered 20k MH bulbs. hopefully they will still grow with 20k.
Cliff Puckstable June 13, 2013 Author June 13, 2013 Almost a year has gone by since I started this thread. I added 20 more leds (reds,greens,uvs, & more blues) a few months after the original build. Everything thing is on 100% and has been since. No issues whatsoever to this day. I have mosty sps that I've obtained through the year from the members here. Everything is growing very well right now. I'm having corals about to grow into each other. Not sure what to do about it yet. sorry for the crappy poopy pics
Cliff Puckstable June 13, 2013 Author June 13, 2013 dang, those pics look disgusting. sorry, if i've offended you.
Jason Rhoads June 13, 2013 June 13, 2013 I run the 120LED kit from aquastyle. I have only had mine going since February, but am having similar (good) results. I actually think your pics look pretty good!
Cliff Puckstable June 14, 2013 Author June 14, 2013 Thanks guys. Jason, post up some pics of your setup if you have any.
Neto June 14, 2013 June 14, 2013 looks great! how many hours a day do you run these? Any par measurements?
Cliff Puckstable June 14, 2013 Author June 14, 2013 No par readings. I run blues for 10 hours and daylight for 8 hours a day.
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