Starting this thread to track my build of a dual Aurora puck build. Comments/suggestions are welcome. I'll try and include lots of photos. Have not seen many build threads here or elsewhere on this. I'll do my best to keep up on this and report results down the road for other considering this setup.
I've researched for way to long. Been considering going LED for about 4 months. My current setup details:
55g display tank on main floor of house
20g long remote sump in basement
Setup active for 14 months
Current lighting T5: 2x34" 39w Fluval Power Spectrum 18K, 2x34" 39w Fluval Sea Actinic 1
Bubble Magnus 3.5 Skimmer in sump
DIY GFO reactor
DIY Algae Scrubber
Dosing: Carbon & Alk
I started considering LED when I thought I had an algae issue due to aging lights. That was not the case. Turns out PO4 was through the roof. Got that under control - maybe to much. After starting carbon dosing, replacing socked GFO with DIY reactor and adding algae scrubber my PO4 was under .01 a couple weeks ago. Working on slowly edging that up to something more reasonable like .04 - .06. Algae issues are solved with PO4 reduction. But still time to replace those T5's. Rather than drop $60 - $80 once a year I figured more economical (and more fun to) DIY an LED system. Think my original T5's were a little underpowered anyway. Not certain on that however. LPS, Bubble Tip Anemone and other light dependent items have been just fine for months with current lighting. I am intrigued with the ability to do finer light control like ramping, intensity and color mixing. Also recently started adding some SPS about a month ago. Figuring it will do better with more light although no problems at the moment.
After much consideration I got it down to either 2 Aurora pucks from Rapid LED or 2 Lumina 5.2 from LED Group Buy. I've read positive things about both. Honestly, I liked the Lumina 5.2 a little better. There's a lot of debate about cool white vs. neutral white vs. warm white LEDs and how they affect color rendition. Some mix of the warmer or neutral seem to be winning the debates, but honestly who knows? So many opinions! Problem was a Lumina setup was more $'s if I bought all the stuff from them. Rapid LED has a package. LED Group Buy was a la carte. Seems like the Auroras make up for the lack of the warm white with some red/orange. I contacted LED GB multiple times to see if they would put together a package and was turned down. In the end, the package from Rapid LED was about 25% less for essentially the same thing than it would have been from LED Group Buy. At some point I think the details of all these colors are a bit of marketing hype. Could one get by with just pure white and actinic? Hopefully I don't regret my stinginess! One other difference was 4 color channels on the Aurora and 5 on the Lumina. Really did like the Lumina 5.2 more - just not 25% more - maybe 10% more. Also, like the newer heat sinks that come with the package from Rapid better than the Makers sinks from LED GB. They have a more streamlined looked with flat top and recessed fan. This is not a commercial for Rapid LED. Heck, haven't even seen them in person yet. But, they were more willing to work with me.
Here's what I purchased:
*Dual Aurora Puck Dimmable kit with 2x1000 and 2x750 Meanwell LDD drivers. It comes with everything needed from power supply (350w) to lenses (i went with the narrower angle ones) etc.. Builds the whole unit except for the controller. I opted for the 20" heatsink rather than 2x6"
*Storm controller with the case, temp probe and 4x jumper cables.
I really liked that the kit comes with everything. No soldering, includes heat sink hanging cables, heat sink paste etc. In the end everything was less than $400. This was at least $100 less than going with close to the same setup from LED Group buy with the Lumina 5.2. And not bad for a soup to nuts controllable/dim-able system with 42 cree LEDs. I really tried to get LED GB to put together a package with a discount for purchasing all at once and no deal - asked twice and it was a no and then no response after 36 hours. Funny story, I crossed emails to these LED suppliers when looking for a package from LED GB. I sent it to Rapid LED. Within in hour Rapid LED emailed back with a 10% discount code. Now that's SWEET!!!
Below are a couple pics of my current setup. From what I've read, I'll have a ton more light with the LEDs. I'll have to be very careful about acclimating. I'd love to hear from others who have gone from T5 to LED. Especially if using Aurora pucks. Unfortunately, I have no access to PAR meter. No local club here with one.
I've researched for way to long. Been considering going LED for about 4 months. My current setup details:
55g display tank on main floor of house
20g long remote sump in basement
Setup active for 14 months
Current lighting T5: 2x34" 39w Fluval Power Spectrum 18K, 2x34" 39w Fluval Sea Actinic 1
Bubble Magnus 3.5 Skimmer in sump
DIY GFO reactor
DIY Algae Scrubber
Dosing: Carbon & Alk
I started considering LED when I thought I had an algae issue due to aging lights. That was not the case. Turns out PO4 was through the roof. Got that under control - maybe to much. After starting carbon dosing, replacing socked GFO with DIY reactor and adding algae scrubber my PO4 was under .01 a couple weeks ago. Working on slowly edging that up to something more reasonable like .04 - .06. Algae issues are solved with PO4 reduction. But still time to replace those T5's. Rather than drop $60 - $80 once a year I figured more economical (and more fun to) DIY an LED system. Think my original T5's were a little underpowered anyway. Not certain on that however. LPS, Bubble Tip Anemone and other light dependent items have been just fine for months with current lighting. I am intrigued with the ability to do finer light control like ramping, intensity and color mixing. Also recently started adding some SPS about a month ago. Figuring it will do better with more light although no problems at the moment.
After much consideration I got it down to either 2 Aurora pucks from Rapid LED or 2 Lumina 5.2 from LED Group Buy. I've read positive things about both. Honestly, I liked the Lumina 5.2 a little better. There's a lot of debate about cool white vs. neutral white vs. warm white LEDs and how they affect color rendition. Some mix of the warmer or neutral seem to be winning the debates, but honestly who knows? So many opinions! Problem was a Lumina setup was more $'s if I bought all the stuff from them. Rapid LED has a package. LED Group Buy was a la carte. Seems like the Auroras make up for the lack of the warm white with some red/orange. I contacted LED GB multiple times to see if they would put together a package and was turned down. In the end, the package from Rapid LED was about 25% less for essentially the same thing than it would have been from LED Group Buy. At some point I think the details of all these colors are a bit of marketing hype. Could one get by with just pure white and actinic? Hopefully I don't regret my stinginess! One other difference was 4 color channels on the Aurora and 5 on the Lumina. Really did like the Lumina 5.2 more - just not 25% more - maybe 10% more. Also, like the newer heat sinks that come with the package from Rapid better than the Makers sinks from LED GB. They have a more streamlined looked with flat top and recessed fan. This is not a commercial for Rapid LED. Heck, haven't even seen them in person yet. But, they were more willing to work with me.
Here's what I purchased:
*Dual Aurora Puck Dimmable kit with 2x1000 and 2x750 Meanwell LDD drivers. It comes with everything needed from power supply (350w) to lenses (i went with the narrower angle ones) etc.. Builds the whole unit except for the controller. I opted for the 20" heatsink rather than 2x6"
*Storm controller with the case, temp probe and 4x jumper cables.
I really liked that the kit comes with everything. No soldering, includes heat sink hanging cables, heat sink paste etc. In the end everything was less than $400. This was at least $100 less than going with close to the same setup from LED Group buy with the Lumina 5.2. And not bad for a soup to nuts controllable/dim-able system with 42 cree LEDs. I really tried to get LED GB to put together a package with a discount for purchasing all at once and no deal - asked twice and it was a no and then no response after 36 hours. Funny story, I crossed emails to these LED suppliers when looking for a package from LED GB. I sent it to Rapid LED. Within in hour Rapid LED emailed back with a 10% discount code. Now that's SWEET!!!
Below are a couple pics of my current setup. From what I've read, I'll have a ton more light with the LEDs. I'll have to be very careful about acclimating. I'd love to hear from others who have gone from T5 to LED. Especially if using Aurora pucks. Unfortunately, I have no access to PAR meter. No local club here with one.