Virgin to the LED scene...

[Navymedic]

So I'm setting up a new tank (36" long). Currently I have a 45 Oceanic tech (24" long).

On the 45 I am using a Current 250w MH with the 4 T5 bulbs, and built in "moon lights"

I was thinking of hanging that to the new setup but I'm trying to keep electrical cost and heat down. There for I'm going into new and unfamiliar territory. What size LED fixture should I get? Is more better (more LEDs or more wattage)? Does anyone already have a nice setup on a 36" tank and can you post pics? Any help would be great. Thanks...

 

[evilc66]

Need more dimensions for your tank to give a better estimate.

 

[Navymedic]

36x18x20 thanks for the reply

 

[evilc66]

If you want to build, a 12x3 array will work nicely (2" spacing between LEDs per row, and 3" between rows). At 20" tall, you are on the edge of needing lenses or not. They aren't expensive, so buy 60's and experiment on whether you feel you need them. They will greatly increase PAR output over not using them, but may force you to turn the array down to compensate, depending on the needs of the tank.

If you don't want to build, then there are a few good option on the market. The AI Sol modules are still one of the best, and offers the highest output with a lot of control. You would need 2 modules, probably with the 70 degree lens option to get full coverage with good PAR numbers. Maxspect, and Acan Lighting also produce good fixtures, but with reduced control features, at least for now.

 

[wld1783]

36 LEDs on a 18-24" heatsink is really close to a 250 watt MH in PAR...Generally speaking lots of variables just a rule of thumb. With 80 degree optics you should have enough coverage. The nice thing is if planned well you can always add more LEDs later and bring the PAR closer to a 400 watt MH if needed. If you start packing them tight say 1.5" spacing then you will need a pair of fans on the heatsink.

Bill

 

[gar732]

What's your budget? That will play a major role in what you consider as some options can be costly. If you DIY you can get the benefits of the more expensive fixture such as dimmability(is that a word?) at a much lower cost. I've picked up one of reef led lights' kits and it's wasn't too difficult to put together. If DIY isn't your thing then you might want to consider a reeffiltration fixture or one of reefkoi's fixture, he's got a few different ones. All the ones I've mentioned are all sponsors here. I recommend you do a search for these and see people's feedback on them it's all been pretty positive. Good luck

 

[Navymedic]

I'm thinking once I sell some of my stuff I will have 400 dollars (more or less)... I'll check the LED DIY peeps for more info, but really looking for plug and play...

 

[gar732]

If you want plug and play, IMO I'd say check out the reefkoi fixtures. He's got a couple different options, check them out on his forum. I think I'm going to go with those because I think they are the best bang for the buck and a good match for my depth tank which is the same as yours. A buddy of mine has the reef filtration lights which are 3w bulbs compared to 1w bulbs in the reefkoi fixture. He has a 24" deep tank and he has a monti cap towards the bottom of his tank that is growing down away from the light. Those lights are bright! Too much so, I think, for a tank my size and the fact that I have a mixed reef and don't need as much light at the bottom of my tank. I'm no expert, this is just my opinion based on my observations.

 

[miko12]

In a DIY LED Kit, is it necessary to screw the LEDs to the heat sink for it to be mounted correctly? or wound the adhesives do the job?

 

[Murfman]

We have a guy in our local fish club that built his own unit. He used a 1/8" thick piece of aluminium road sign and electrical adhesive to mount the LEDs. No heat sink. Says it works fine. LED lighting CONTINUED from another thread

I have 3 of the Reefkoi Evolution units over my 8' long and 30" deep and 24" wide, 300 gallon. Each unit is 120 watts and gives me good coverage. I keep a mixed reef with SPS up high in the 400 par range and they are growing like crazy. I have acans, favia, and chalices down low.
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-koi/45696-new-299-leds-reefkoi-corals.html