DIY or Purchase fixture?

[creefer]

I'm planning a new build that I need to get off the ground soon....real soon. That said, I'm curious to hear what the LED pros have to say. I currently have a Maxspect G2 110W fixture on my solana 20" cube. It's a decent light however the color is not what I would like. I'm going to be building a 50b rimless set up and want to know if it makes more sense for me to DIY or to get another Maxspect, or to go T5.

I don't like the idea of T5 for 2 reasons. #1 I feel like I'm going backwards in terms of technology, and #2 I don't care to deal with replacement lamps every 8 months. I'm keen on the idea of newer LED because of dimming capabilities and color blending options however the new fixtures are super expensive. I'm looking for a 20k look as well. I like a more blue hue to my tank.

So, what say the experts? DIY, Purchase fixture, or go T5? Keep in mind that cost is a big factor in all of this.

 

[jaytizzle]

I'm pricing out a DIY rig for my 120 right now and it will save a ton of money over buying consumer fixtures but it still ain't cheap. I'm around the $1350 mark for 7 independent controllable channels (white, blue, royal blue, turquoise, red, green, true violet). If you are interested in the DIY side then I say give it a shot. It's really not hard but you have to plan it out and put some work into it if you want it to look very clean.

I don't think T5 is "backwards" in technology just yet. LEDs are here and here to stay but they've got a ways to go still. The advances made just over the last 5 years are astounding. If the pace runs anywhere near that for the next 5, it will be a completely different ball game. I went all LED on my tanks because I like the technology and I too hated paying for new bulbs. I've been all LED for coming up on 2 years now and I'm loving it.

 

[Reefing8EZ]

Check out the apollo blast ultra dimmable. They look awesome and all I heard are good things about that fixture.. They arent very expensive but you do need a controller.

 

[purplereefer]

I think you get more for ur buck with diy

 

[creefer]

I'm not at all afraid of DIY. I have looked into it but also think I may need some direction in terms of spacing of the LED and how to mix the RB, B, W, R, G, and V. Do you group the multiple colors, and if so, how closely do you space them and at what ratio? Considering the footprint of the build, it would seem to me that I make 2 modules that are identical. This is the part of DIY that I'm most at a loss for really. I'm confident that the plan I have in terms of making the build look good will work as I'm essentially going to build a "floating hood" that will match the stand. It will be hung much like most LED fixtures but will be built to match the stand and will hide the fans and exposed wires.

I have a controller however it's an RKL, which sort of puts the idea of the apollo dimmable out of the picture because the maximum benefit of that fixture is not realized without the use of the Apex thereby putting my whole "cost effective" idea to shame. Honestly, I really like the idea of DIY. I like that you can buy DIY kits however some of the kits available for purchase seem to lack some of the colors that I would like to incorporate into my build, which is why I started thinking about T5.

 

[chadfarmer]

well i never liked the look of DIY-- or the many drivers it takes


i made my own light than bought them

 

[jaytizzle]

I don't worry about spacing that much. I find it easier to use ReefLEDLights pre-drilled and tapped heatsinks and BJB solderless connectors wherever possible. I'm still working on my layout for my setup but if you are willing to wait I'll gladly share the details with you as soon as I get them figured out.

 

[creefer]

I don't worry about spacing that much. I find it easier to use ReefLEDLights pre-drilled and tapped heatsinks and BJB solderless connectors wherever possible. I'm still working on my layout for my setup but if you are willing to wait I'll gladly share the details with you as soon as I get them figured out.

Thanks, Jay and yes...willing to wait to see what you're planning. I have looked at the ReefLEDLights pre-drilled and tapped heatsinks and solderless connectors as well. There are certainly advantages to that. But again, if spacing is not that critical, what about location of different colored LED??

I understand chadfarmer's point as well regarding the many drivers and the looks of the DIY however I think I have a plan to avert the DIY appearance if I choose to go that route.

 

[ReefLEDLights]

DIY doesn't have to look DIY anymore :)
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-led-lights/75163-phoenix-led-enclosure.html


I highly recommend the drilled and tapped, it takes a third of the time as a normal fixture and it makes the project a lot more fun to do!

-Rick

 

[jaytizzle]

You want to place the diodes so you get good color blending and coverage on the tank. I'll show you my layout once it's all done. It'll make a lot more sense once you see how I do it. I did my last fixture in a similar manner but not nearly the amount of color channels. This one will be fun.

 

[creefer]

You want to place the diodes so you get good color blending and coverage on the tank. I'll show you my layout once it's all done. It'll make a lot more sense once you see how I do it. I did my last fixture in a similar manner but not nearly the amount of color channels. This one will be fun.

Thanks. I look forward to it. I have been following your thread as well. I appreciate the help.