DIY LED question

[zooid]

I'm going to be building an LED system with CREE XP-G's (cool white) and XP-E's (royal blue).

I would like suggestions on how you would build the LED matrix for an 84" x 24" area.
Assume 1/2 the LED's will be XP-G and 1/2 will be XP-E.
How many LED's? What kind of optics? How high to mount them over the tank?

I've been looking into it and have an idea on how I should do it but I'd like other opinions before I commit.

Thanks

 

[evilc66]

Does your tank have center braces? Where and how wide? Euro bracing? How tall is the tank?

 

[altobelli10]

check this site Reef Led Lights How To DIY LED

 

[zooid]

Does your tank have center braces? Where and how wide? Euro bracing? How tall is the tank?

The center brace is a one foot glass section in the middle of the tank.
No Euro bracing.
The tank is 24 inches tall.
Thanks

 

[zooid]

check this site Reef Led Lights How To DIY LED

Thanks. I've read through that site and it is informative but it's missing some critical information like what reflectors they use, how high above the tank to mount it, and it's made for a smaller tank so I'd need more units. How many? three? They were also using XR-E's which have a better optic selection.

 

[wld1783]

Thanks. I've read through that site and it is informative but it's missing some critical information like what reflectors they use, how high above the tank to mount it, and it's made for a smaller tank so I'd need more units. How many? three? They were also using XR-E's which have a better optic selection.

Zooid

Here is another link

Reef Led Lights Optics Evaluation

According to our tests I can safely say 60 XR-E LEDS will cover 24"x36" with the same PAR as a 400 watt MH. Of course the Cool White have more PAR as do different 400 watt MH...so this is the ambiguity in the build.

I'm liking the XR-E R2 which is just behind the XP-G in performance but has good optics to push it in front. Its also generally a cooler temp say 8K vs 6.5K, at least in the bins we have.

After visiting a few awesome private tanks I've become a big fan of a High Noon blast of light.

I would plan your build around the XR-E with optics and down the middle of the heatsink add the XP-G for that High Noon blast of light for four hours. The XP-G being a tad warmer will also give your corals a more balanced light when mixed with the XR-E

Bill

 

[zooid]

Thanks for the info.......I read through that link a few days ago.
You've given me food for thought. I'll compare prices between XR-E's and XP-G's.
I was leaning toward the XP-G's because the Meanwell drivers (60-48D) can't send them more current than they can handle.

 

[wld1783]

zooid

At 1.3A you can run two parallel srtings of 9-13 XR-Es at roughly 650mA each with the -48D. A 1000mA quick blow fuse will provide protection in case a LED fails open.

Bill