DIY LED strips

ToXIc

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so i want to go LEDs but not ready to go all in.
my current light fixture is a 48" Coralife Aqualight Pro, so i've been thinking about pulling out the garbage CF light and replacing them. 1st i was going to do a T5 retro but then looking at the cost it may be better to go LEDs..

here's a mock up of the strips..

ledbuild_2.jpg

ledbuild_1.jpg


its gonna be 18 LEDs per strip 4 W; 2 R; 11 B...

what you guys think?
 

pelagic

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If this is just to make the color pop, you don't need white and red, just get royal blue.
 
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ToXIc

ToXIc

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If this is just to make the color pop, you don't need white and red, just get royal blue.

true but i was thinking about using the white to fade in/out the MH.. and red to see if i can get a purple effect.. there are not many ppl using it.. just satisfying my curiosity.
 
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ToXIc

ToXIc

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Yup.


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Dowtish

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2 strips with 18 3 watts each, will be a little more than just shimmer and pop. I would go with the red as well.
 

dirtyC

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I would do without the red maybe just royal blue and couple blues
Alot of people who have used reds take them out eventually
 
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ToXIc

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Yeah chris it will be alot that's why I only using 18 per especially since it will be in the fixture sitting on legs.

Do you know why they take out the reds?


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NeveSSL

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Because they're overpowering usually.

I have a red, some blues, and royal blues and tons of lenses if you need any. :)

Brandon
 
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ToXIc

ToXIc

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I haven't decided yet. Just in the planning phase now.


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dirtyC

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What driver are u gonna use??18 is a odd number to run with any driver most drivers will run 12-15 max
 
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36 total


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rcmike

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Because they're overpowering usually.

I have a red, some blues, and royal blues and tons of lenses if you need any. :)

Brandon


A bit OT but you wouldn't happen to have any really bright white LED's that run off of 12V would you? You can guess what I want them for. :D
 

CJO

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That's a lot of LEDs per little strip if you are running them anywhere near full amperage. Do some thinking on how you are going to cool them.

Also +1 on dirtyC's comment. Most drivers won't run that many LEDs.

CJ
 

gmoney243

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Rapid LED is a good site for DIY LED stuff .. and if you want purple Kevan just use the Blues + Royal Blues .. from what ive read the regular Cree Blue is a purpleish color .. how big is your tank KEvan? 4'x2'x2' right? also how far above your tank is the LEDs going to be and how far apart from center to center is each LED going to be?
 

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