led build

[nexusnight]

so ive decided i want to go with a led build. i would like to be able to use them on a 120 eventually but currently only have a 55g. They must be good for sps. Right now Im thinking id like to supplement my 4*T5 fixture untill i upgrade my tank.
The catch is..... I have 0 ideas on where to start with everything lol. I was thinking a RB strip maybe????
To be honest i need help. any would be much appreciated.

 

[nexusnight]

i guess i should add i am currently running two ati coral plus and two Ati blue plus bulbs. so far there great and im seeing growth and good colour on the sps frags i have. Likely could be better though. I dont plan on doing my upgrade till next fall/winter.

 

[Neopimp]

There are lots of knowledgable people with leds on here.  If you are looking for ideas there are a coupel of good led threads in the DIY.  Mine is linked in my signature.  It was a full fixture build and designed start to finish by me, no kits.  Its really not all that hard to do.

Read through some of the threads and pose you specfric questions ... we will answer

 

[nexusnight]

Im thinking a 48" strip with 24 rb and dimmable drivers? Not sure if thats enough or should i go 36 rb? Or being a supplement should i do 24 rb and some white and some uv?
I guess i could add more later being i am going to go solderless for ease to modify but would 24 bulbs make enough of a diffrence?
Thanks

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[AdamS]

What are your goals? Light the 120 with purely LED and keep SPS?

Read Read Read. If your waiting until the fall/winter, the advances in LED will be many. So read, understand what people are saying works, and what they are saying does not work.

Understand what wavelengths / colours of light are required to keep corals.

Once you get some ideas, visit some of the locals with LED setups, see what you like and don't like.

 

[teebone110]

If I was to switch to LEDs, I would follow tdb320reef's DIY LED setup.

Here is a pic from his thread of the LED fixture he built for his fragtank

..and here is the frame for his new fixture over his display tank..

Like a lot of others on this site, I think he went with Rapid LED

Maybe check with Tom (tdb320reef) and see what lighting combination and drivers he would recommend. He has a Apogee par meter and has his system perfected to maximize both colouration and growth in his sps dominant systems.

Here's his thread...http://www.thefragtank.ca/forum/index.php?topic=4364.30

 

[nexusnight]

Wow thats sexy lol. Thanks for the help. Definately needs to be sps friendly) so what about the strip to supplement my t5s for now?

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[teebone110]

If you just want to supplement your T5s, here is a link to my build....

http://www.thefragtank.ca/forum/index.php?topic=1726.0

I made 2 48 inch stips with 36 LEDs
first strip has 18 RB
second strip has 14 RB + 4 UV

Both run on dimmable drivers and supplement my T5s.

I prefer the look of these dimmed down when my T5s are off  8)

 

[AdamS]

If your just lookin to supplement, spare the cost of dimmable. The meanwell drivers are all adjustable internally. So set it and forget it.

 

[nexusnight]

So no need for dimmer eh? Would it be benificial later though? When i upgrade? And still unsure on colour combo. Are uv bulbs worth adding in or just go with rb. Oh and how many? Tbone, u said u did two atrips with 18 each and figured one would do? Im thinking 24 would would b enough ? 18 rb and 6 uv maybe?

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[teebone110]

This is the 36 led diy kit that I used for $99 from Aquastyle
http://www.aquastyleonline.com/products/36--LEDs--DIY-Dimmable-Kit.html

The more UVs you use will darken the blue spectrum toward purple

4UV  +  14RB works for me, its all about personal preference.

I've seen some without UV and these look awesome too

 

[nexusnight]

Any thoughts on the 54 led kit from those guys? Looks like a stellar deal.

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