Algae Farmer
Community Member
I got mine from Rapid LED last year.
anyone using diy led's anymore?
- Thread starter coralbeauties
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amps
Active Member
My tank gets 75% of it's par from a DIY LED setup and the rest from 4x ATi T5 Blue+ bulbs. It's composed of 5 heatsinks with 15 LEDs each and an actinic bar I made with another 12 for a total of 87 LEDs. I knew I wanted spectrum control, the ability to adjust for taking pictures, ramping slowly and having moon lights. Radion G4s were the best alternative but out of the question at over $4000 to light my 6' tank properly and I wasn't happy with any of the other commercial options. Overall I'm super satisfied with how things have turned out and I can't say that I'd ever do it differently.
I run 5 channels, each controlling a bank of lights on all 5 heatsinks, controlled by a Bluefish Mini. Each heatsink has the following:
Channel 1: 6x Philips Rebel ES Royal Blue
Channel 2: 2x Philips Rebel ES Royal Blue + 1 Cree XPE Blue (465-485nm)
Channel 3: 3x Philips Rebel ES Cool White (this was a mistake that I'm gonna rectify)
Channel 4: 1x Philips Lime, 1x 430nm Violet, 1x Philips Cyan
Channel 5: 3x 400-410nm, 4x 410-420nm, 5x 420-430nm
The royal blue leds and 1/3 white leds use 80 degree optics, something that I added 3 months ago after being unhappy with the coloration of my acros. The added optics almost doubled the par at the top of the tank and I've had amazing growth since. The other leds run without lenses. Par at 6" is about 600 and 150-200 at the sandbed.
The only mistake I've come to really regret is the lack of red/pink tones in the tank. This was the first time I've used cool white leds instead of neutral white and it's very noticeable. I've since ordered 6 neutral white and 6 warm white Cree leds to install on a sixth channel. My plan is to install them on a separate aluminum bar and mount them next to the main heatsinks. Hopefully splitting the power between the existing cool white and the new mixed warm whites will bring out some of the red tones I'm missing.
Everything but the heatsinks was ordered from RapidLED and I've since place three more orders with them for other projects, just awesome products and service. The heatsinks were purchased from a closeout sale on Ebay and are wayyyyyy heavier than they need to be but I love the fact that I'll never need to run a fan anywhere near them.
Here's a couple pics of how they're put together.
I run 5 channels, each controlling a bank of lights on all 5 heatsinks, controlled by a Bluefish Mini. Each heatsink has the following:
Channel 1: 6x Philips Rebel ES Royal Blue
Channel 2: 2x Philips Rebel ES Royal Blue + 1 Cree XPE Blue (465-485nm)
Channel 3: 3x Philips Rebel ES Cool White (this was a mistake that I'm gonna rectify)
Channel 4: 1x Philips Lime, 1x 430nm Violet, 1x Philips Cyan
Channel 5: 3x 400-410nm, 4x 410-420nm, 5x 420-430nm
The royal blue leds and 1/3 white leds use 80 degree optics, something that I added 3 months ago after being unhappy with the coloration of my acros. The added optics almost doubled the par at the top of the tank and I've had amazing growth since. The other leds run without lenses. Par at 6" is about 600 and 150-200 at the sandbed.
The only mistake I've come to really regret is the lack of red/pink tones in the tank. This was the first time I've used cool white leds instead of neutral white and it's very noticeable. I've since ordered 6 neutral white and 6 warm white Cree leds to install on a sixth channel. My plan is to install them on a separate aluminum bar and mount them next to the main heatsinks. Hopefully splitting the power between the existing cool white and the new mixed warm whites will bring out some of the red tones I'm missing.
Everything but the heatsinks was ordered from RapidLED and I've since place three more orders with them for other projects, just awesome products and service. The heatsinks were purchased from a closeout sale on Ebay and are wayyyyyy heavier than they need to be but I love the fact that I'll never need to run a fan anywhere near them.
Here's a couple pics of how they're put together.
BradB
Well-Known Member
I run DIY leds over my 270 gallon 4'x4' and have for 4 years. I stopped using optics early on since all the light goes into the tank regardless. I mainly use cheap 100w chips with Bridgelux whites.
I do use LDDdrivers, but don't dim them, just never got around to a working controller. But I will swap a 700ma for 1000ma or vice versa to balance the ratios.
For your dollar, RBs and whites are by far the cheapest to drive photosynthesis. Too much white makes the tank yellowish. RBs without cool blue makes the tank purplish. You can have a very nice tank with just RBs, cool blue and white if the ratio is right. Adding violet/uv doesn't change much for your eyes, but is worth it imo. It lets you add PAR without making the tank purple or yellow, and adds a glow to some corals. It isn't huge, but it isn't that expensive either.
I've debated setting up a tank with just violet and UV. Would look awesome except for the fish.
I do use LDDdrivers, but don't dim them, just never got around to a working controller. But I will swap a 700ma for 1000ma or vice versa to balance the ratios.
For your dollar, RBs and whites are by far the cheapest to drive photosynthesis. Too much white makes the tank yellowish. RBs without cool blue makes the tank purplish. You can have a very nice tank with just RBs, cool blue and white if the ratio is right. Adding violet/uv doesn't change much for your eyes, but is worth it imo. It lets you add PAR without making the tank purple or yellow, and adds a glow to some corals. It isn't huge, but it isn't that expensive either.
I've debated setting up a tank with just violet and UV. Would look awesome except for the fish.
Richgoose
New Member
To answer the question "is anyone doing DIY LED's anymore" - I just rounded up the materials for a new hybrid T5HO / LED build, Bluefish control
(4) 18W T5HO 16.5", 2 ballasts controlled through relay tied to Bluefish channel
(4) units Steve's LED's PARMAX micro 14-up - (All Rebel ES - 10 Royal blue / 2 cool blue / 2 cyan per board) - driven @ 1,000ma by MeanWell ELG200-C1050B
(2) units Steve's LED's PARMAX micro 14-up - (Mixture of Rebel ES - Cool and neutral white, Limes, 1 red, 1 green per board)
(10) SEMIleds's HyperViolet 3.0 - Driven with mixed color 14-up @ 700ma by HLG-80H-C700B
(3) BXRE-40E2000-C-23 - Driven @ 700ma by ELG75-C700B
Going over a 45-gal Oceanic Tech tank (2' deep).
My first DIY LED build uses the violet's, I have been very happy with the color and spectrum of that build so I am trying to keep my color ratios close on this build. That light controlled by Typhon has been bulletproof for over 3 years now - it has seen its fair share of Jebao pumps come and go.
(4) 18W T5HO 16.5", 2 ballasts controlled through relay tied to Bluefish channel
(4) units Steve's LED's PARMAX micro 14-up - (All Rebel ES - 10 Royal blue / 2 cool blue / 2 cyan per board) - driven @ 1,000ma by MeanWell ELG200-C1050B
(2) units Steve's LED's PARMAX micro 14-up - (Mixture of Rebel ES - Cool and neutral white, Limes, 1 red, 1 green per board)
(10) SEMIleds's HyperViolet 3.0 - Driven with mixed color 14-up @ 700ma by HLG-80H-C700B
(3) BXRE-40E2000-C-23 - Driven @ 700ma by ELG75-C700B
Going over a 45-gal Oceanic Tech tank (2' deep).
My first DIY LED build uses the violet's, I have been very happy with the color and spectrum of that build so I am trying to keep my color ratios close on this build. That light controlled by Typhon has been bulletproof for over 3 years now - it has seen its fair share of Jebao pumps come and go.
OP
OP
I installed all my optics yesterday and wow it made a big difference. On the sink that didnt have any optics gained on average of 200 par on corals that were about 18in below the lights. My orange passion went from 280 par to 475. Quite impressive. I will need to readjust my colors. My whites are now overpowering the royal blues and violets.
Jeff
Jeff
Hey reefers. I love the idea of doing a DIY LED set. While surfing the wed I came cross these. Thoughts??
https://www.ledsupply.com/led-kits/grow-light-kit-makersled
I currently really a max nano tank mostly LPS 20" x 18 x 18
https://www.ledsupply.com/led-kits/grow-light-kit-makersled
I currently really a max nano tank mostly LPS 20" x 18 x 18
OP
OP
If you look at the LEDs In that kit they are mostly red. Not what you want for a fish tank and growing corals. CK some of the vendors that sell for reef tanks, the light you linked is probably for growing pot.
Jeff
Course these lights are for pot. Lol You can however change them, reds for deep blues or whatever. I like the idea of a full cree led light spectrum and the built quality seems better than most black Box led.
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