controller / rapid led ?

[jswo]

I tryed this in another part of this forum with no luck so I will try again. My question is I'm cycling a 29 gallon biocube right now and thinking of getting a basic apex controller the 525$ one and possibly a rapid led retro kit so wondering if anyone has this combo and their thoughts. Thanks

 

[stlcard]

I did. I had my rapid fixture combined with 4t5 bulbs and it was a killer grower. I'm into radions now, but kind of miss the old setup a little. Just because my tank was in high gear around that time.

Apex control for the rapid is limited to just the color channels you build, and their dimmable -ity. You should absolutely get dimmable drivers. I got the solder less which was nice because I was able to easily mix and match color diodes if I didn't like the setup I had or colors. I can't remember the exact color mix I did.

Look up my thread "rapid DIY'ers, are you happy"

It's been rolling for a little while now and it's got a ton of good info from start to finish. Not overly long either.

 

[stlcard]

Oops. Just realized that thread is one "the other gigantic reef forum" look it up.

 

[stlcard]

Btw. Apex controllers are awesome. And the new fusion software is a lot better than the old Neptune OS they had. They are absolutely worth every penny you spend on them.

 

[jswo]

I did. I had my rapid fixture combined with 4t5 bulbs and it was a killer grower. I'm into radions now, but kind of miss the old setup a little. Just because my tank was in high gear around that time.

Apex control for the rapid is limited to just the color channels you build, and their dimmable -ity. You should absolutely get dimmable drivers. I got the solder less which was nice because I was able to easily mix and match color diodes if I didn't like the setup I had or colors. I can't remember the exact color mix I did.

Look up my thread "rapid DIY'ers, are you happy"

It's been rolling for a little while now and it's got a ton of good info from start to finish. Not overly long either.

Just looking for advice because I'm not sure what all it will do for the lights but I hear they need to be dimmable and I want them to ramp up and down. What all should they be able to do? Didn't know if I should get rapids controller.

 

[stlcard]

No definitely get apex controller. I'll elaborate for you later today. When I get a free minute.

 

[stlcard]

first of all, read the "LED university" page on RAPID all the way through.

okay so definitely get the apex controller. I used the base Jr. unit and everything worked jsut fine. You will also need to add on the VDM module (Variable Dimming Module, which is basically a bridge between the apex, and the dimmable meanwell drivers. The VDM controls the amount of voltage that is allowed to travel to the LEDS. the higher the voltage applied the brighter the leds are. The VDM can go from 0v-10v. Basically in units of 10. Volt translates to percentage on. Whereas, 0v means leds are off, 1v= 10% max brightness. 10v=100% max brightness. You program the percentage you want via Apex Fusion, a program that allows the user to set IF & Then statements. Dont be intimidated, just read the manual and research on the forums for directions on programming, its fairly straight forward and easy to get a hold of if you put a little study time in.

Now for LEDS: Definitely buy dimmable, I would also suggest solderless so that you can change out your leds/colors easily in case you dont like the spectrum mixes you can get. I also recommend the predrilled heatsinks. Which allows for easy install, and again you can move the leds around later on if you want. Just go ahead and buy an assortment of extra solderless connection wires. Youll need them. and they are not very expensive.

Colors: Most DIY led'ers are using Cool Whites and Royal blues as the PRIMARY leds. These are two of the "original" (if you want to call it that) led colors that was available, and used widely in AI Sol Blues, and other early generation LED fixtures. Eventually more colors made their way into the market, because we want a "full spectrum" or as close to full as possible to mimic the sun, halide bulbs or t% (tried and true bulbs of reefings past).

I would recommend a ratio of 2:1 meaning for every 1 white (cool white, neutral white, warm white), you have 2 blues (royal blue (preferred), or Blue)

Your tank is a 29 gallon, so i would not go crazy with additional colors like: RED, Green, orange. (they have a tendency to "color Band" on small fixtures, and the spot in the circuit is better spent on an RB or B (royal blue, or blue). Color banding means when on you can see "columns" of light being projected down into the tank. Imagine a red spotlight at a concert, and then a green spotlight right next to it. You can typically see the "beam" of color light as it travels to the final "spot". This is bad in a tank. You want the light to blend as best you can.

Now for the drivers: Every light has a "jumper" or "driver" or "ballast". In the LED world its called a DRIVER. a Driver receives voltage from the outlet, and for lack of better term, "breaks it down" into usable voltage for the led to output light. You need to plan on having 1 Driver for each "daisy chain" of leds your planning. Drivers are rated to service a particular number of leds, too few leds on the "chain" and it wont light up, too many and it will also not light up. The Meanwell drivers are rated for 5-8 leds. you could maybe push 9 or 10 but dont quote me, and you run the risk of overheating the diode (resulting in much shorter lifespan)

chains or circuits of leds are called "channels". 1 Driver + 8 leds = 1 "White Channel" etc.

okay so now, pretend you have 2 strings of christmas lights on the floor. you want all your white leds, to be on one channel. and all your RB,B, UV to be on another separate channel. This way you can dim the white and or blue channels indepently, lower or higher to get the "Spectrum" you prefer or like within the display tank.

for your size tank id recommend about a total of about 16-20 leds. (if you can make them all fit on a heat sink). This will allow you grow most if not all type of coral in the tank. SPS included, because of the lid, the leds are close to the water surface. How you break that up into a color ratio is entirely up to you. Use mostly cool white, but throw in 1 or 2 neutral white (which brings some very very very faint hues of red and orange yellow, to help complete the spectrum) Dont get warm white. They are too red and will overpower all your color leds and make it look like ****. Get a bunch of RBs, maybe 1 blue, and 1 cyan (if you want to play around). Again, whites on one channel, colors on the other.

phew, okay thats a good start. Good luck and god speed. Do your research if you still need additional help. Theres tons and tons and tons of info on DIY leds here and on RC.

 

[stlcard]

if you get the apex unit, make sure you buy the VDM module to control dimming, also make sure you buy the "D" drivers, not the "P" drivers.

 

[Preyou]

I have an Apex Lite with the VDM module and RapidLED Aurora LEDS. The Auroras are 4 dimmable channels (with the proper drivers) and I love them.

 

[jswo]

I
was thinking of getting the mid apex controller for the extra plugs and It has the vdm. Let me know If you think the apex lite would do enough. Definitely want temp,ph maybe salinity if it works ok. For the biocube 29 owners whats the best probe holder for the tank, I have nothing in chamber 1 but want a skimmer in it someday and have the intank media basket in 2 and that's it for now. Thanks for all the advise and keep it coming I only want to buy once.

 

[jswo]

i
was thinking of getting the mid apex controller for the extra plugs and it has the vdm. Let me know if you think the apex lite would do enough. Definitely want temp,ph maybe salinity if it works ok. For the biocube 29 owners whats the best probe holder for the tank, i have nothing in chamber 1 but want a skimmer in it someday and have the intank media basket in 2 and that's it for now. Thanks for all the advise and keep it coming i only want to buy once.

bump

 

[JOKER]

If you have the funds buy the full apex, If you don't you will regret It later. I love mine and I am also running the rapid led kit. Solderless, I have 2 fixtures of the 180 kit over my 90 but Im planning an upgrade soon. Like stl said you can do about anything you want with them can set up profiles for moon light storms it is endless plus you can keep check on tank from anywhere on your smart phone.

 

[jswo]

Looking at them as we speak, don't think I can afford the full apex all at once. Trying to see what all I would need to buy if I got the JR, or mid apex and bought later. I want the controller first and then the lights so if I get the stripped down model I can buy slowly.

 

[JOKER]

$525 new, I see the gold Is super high Im not even sure what all else It comes with. You can always buy used If you can find one. I see them on craigslist or ebay from time to time even on here.

 

[jswo]

Anyone have a apex on a biocube 29? wanting to know whats the best probe holder for it. Right now I have nothing in chamber 1, 2 has a intank media basket only. As of now still deciding on a skimmer, I would like to get one for chamber 1 but if not it will go in 2 with the media basket.

 

[newatsalt]

if you get the apex unit, make sure you buy the VDM module to control dimming, also make sure you buy the "D" drivers, not the "P" drivers.

Hi. don't mean to highjack the thread whatsoever, but I was curious to know. I am purchasing the EcoTech xr15 Radion lights. Would l need the VDM module to control the dimming off of the apex unit or would I use EcoSmart to dim the unit. Keep in mind I am running a apex jr myself. Thank you

 

[newatsalt]

Anyone have a apex on a biocube 29? wanting to know whats the best probe holder for it. Right now I have nothing in chamber 1, 2 has a intank media basket only. As of now still deciding on a skimmer, I would like to get one for chamber 1 but if not it will go in 2 with the media basket.

If you have seen Tin Pan September Biocube Tank Spotlight, he is using an Aquamaxx HOB 1 in chamber one of the biocube. He says its a beast. A little on the pricey side, but it does a fantastic job. I did have the Tunze 9001 on the radar till I saw the Aquamaxx. The only thing I don't like about the Aquamaxx is that it is a Hang On Back skimmer so its not confined within the tank itself.

 

[jswo]

Anyone have a apex on a biocube 29? wanting to know whats the best probe holder for it. Right now I have nothing in chamber 1, 2 has a intank media basket only. As of now still deciding on a skimmer, I would like to get one for chamber 1 but if not it will go in 2 with the media basket.

bump