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toolmanbmw
07-10-2012, 11:16 PM
Hey guys. Just received my 72 led from aquastyle. Going to build my LED lights for my 75 gallon. Will post more picture as I progress with the build. Enjoy
http://img.tapatalk.com/4ac696ff-b994-5b77.jpg
This is the heat sink where the LEDs are going to be mounted.


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toolmanbmw
07-11-2012, 04:48 AM
http://img.tapatalk.com/44944e7d-05f7-c75b.jpg
These are the LEDs I will be using. 36 royal blue, 18 10k white, 18 6.5k white.

http://img.tapatalk.com/44944e7d-0659-37b0.jpg
LEDs layout,18 LEDs per heatsink.

http://img.tapatalk.com/44944e7d-06ac-7b2a.jpg
The ballast that I will be using. Blue on one and white on the other. 12 LEDs per string and 3 strings per ballast. That should give me around 620ma per LED.

Questions, comments, and suggestions are welcome.


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Cal_stir
07-11-2012, 08:17 PM
you might want to reconsider your white-blue ratio, I originally went with a 50/50 ratio but found it to be too white, I now run 24 wh and 48 blue which gives me about 20,000K. I also run blue and royal blue. IMO.

Snaz
07-11-2012, 08:23 PM
I use these same emitters in 50/50 ratio and I dim back the whites to about 80% and I like the result. If I was to change mine I would substitute some reds instead of the white.

SeaHorse_Fanatic
07-11-2012, 09:21 PM
On my setup, I have 8 x 10w blues at full power and the 20 combined 10000k, 6500k & 20000k are barely on for a 15-20000k blueish look which we prefer.

For those used to metal halides, the intensity of LEDs will be a big surprise and how dim you'll have to set your lights to NOT light shock your corals will make you think the tank is dim.

toolmanbmw
07-11-2012, 10:03 PM
Thanks for the input guys. I think I will do what snaz is doing and dim the white. They will be hooked up to the VDM port of the apex. How do you guys like your LEDs?


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Cal_stir
07-12-2012, 02:09 AM
I love mine, sunrise/sunset simulation, shimmer, good coral growth, low heat and energy efficient, no lamp replacement.

claymax
07-12-2012, 02:46 AM
i had 1:1 rb:cw ratio and didnt like it, the 2:1 royal blue to neutral white is waaaay nicer IMO. GL with build

Snaz
07-12-2012, 04:18 AM
Thanks for the input guys. I think I will do what snaz is doing and dim the white. They will be hooked up to the VDM port of the apex. How do you guys like your LEDs?


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I love my LEDs. I went from 2 x 13W Power Compact lights to LED so I have no comparison to MH. I think anyone in the know would say my tank is too white but I like it. I have seen Seahorse_Fanatic's big tank and it is gorgeous of course but a little too blue for my liking.

Here is a true colour FTS with blue and whites at 100%

http://snaz.com/marine/870.jpg

scherzo
07-12-2012, 05:29 AM
Looks good... Thanks for so,e great ideas.

BTW. What is the rose/salmon colored coral on the left?

toolmanbmw
07-12-2012, 06:17 AM
http://img.tapatalk.com/44944e7d-6dac-d9db.jpg

All the LEDs gluded on. Time to wire them up tomorrow.

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Snaz
07-12-2012, 07:29 AM
http://img.tapatalk.com/44944e7d-6dac-d9db.jpg

All the LEDs gluded on. Time to wire them up tomorrow.

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Good job. It looks like a lot of emitters on each bar... are the bars going to be enough of a heatsink or am I missing something?

scherzo
07-12-2012, 08:15 AM
Whoops just realized that Snaz wasn't the OP. sorry about that earlier strange question.

But.. I do have a question. Where did you order the parts from? I'm thinking of doing a build like this soon.

Ross
07-12-2012, 02:26 PM
Have you seen examples of a similar heatsink being effective?
Are you intending on fan cooling it some how?
It looks good, but I question the effectiveness.

toolmanbmw
07-12-2012, 04:13 PM
These LEDs were ordered from aquastyle. Do a search for them.... not sure if I can post an address here.

Other people used these u channels before as heatsink. Some use fan and some didn't. I do have fans ready if needed. I will do a temp test as soon as I get them up and running.


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Snaz
07-12-2012, 04:16 PM
These LEDs were ordered from aquastyle. Do a search for them.... not sure if I can post an address here.

Other people used these u channels before as heatsink. Some use fan and some didn't. I do have fans ready if needed. I will do a temp test as soon as I get them up and running.


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Make sure you have sunglasses ready. :smile:

toolmanbmw
07-12-2012, 11:01 PM
I will make sure I have some sunglasses on :) Anyone know where I can find some 1 ohm 3-5W 1% resister? I went to 2 eletronic store and cant find any.... All I can find are 1 ohm 5W 5%.

gregzz4
07-12-2012, 11:42 PM
If you strike out elsewhere, I've dealt with Allied before
Takes about a week

http://www.alliedelec.com/search/searchresults.aspx?dsNav=Nrc:id-4294963395,N:4294953434-4294953445-106-4294959475-4294887057-4294953424

mseepman
07-12-2012, 11:48 PM
Try digikey.ca they got me all my stuff.

toolmanbmw
07-12-2012, 11:59 PM
Thanks guys. That's a lot of stuff on there. Anything local like in Edmonton?


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reefme
07-13-2012, 12:20 AM
May I ask where you get you C-channels from?

toolmanbmw
07-13-2012, 01:39 AM
I got them from homedepot.


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The Grizz
07-13-2012, 01:48 AM
Hope with the channels you can keep the LEDS cool enough to get good life out of them. I know from my LEDS they put out a tonn of heat & I have to keep all 4 of my fans running on high while they are on.

toolmanbmw
07-13-2012, 02:19 AM
We will soon find out..... I should have the white running sometime tonight.

toolmanbmw
07-13-2012, 05:35 PM
Got the white running and I left them on over night to take some reading. The room temp was at 26, driver 58, side of heatsink 32, middle of heatsink 39. The heatsink when touch just feels warm. The driver won't burn you but she is warm. But that's running it for 10 hours on max output. Even with the blue running and no fan... I don't see a problem with these heatsink.

http://img.tapatalk.com/4ac69681-5d08-8a5a.jpg
The 6 leds on the left has 60 degrees lense on.

http://img.tapatalk.com/4ac69681-5d60-63b2.jpg
The pot is just temp until the unit is hooked up to the Apex. Measured the current for the 3 strings. 678, 670, and 660ma.

http://img.tapatalk.com/4ac69681-5e17-63f1.jpg
Driver mounting location. They got pretty warm after the overnight full power test. Any suggestions on keeping them cooler?



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mseepman
07-13-2012, 06:27 PM
Very interesting build. Glad to see it coming together. This is somewhat similar to my build on a slightly smaller scale.

I was concerned about heat on some of my channel but after investigating (mostly on RC) it appears that all the LED gurus have indicated that you only need to start worrying about the heatsink temp if you can no longer touch it safely....and I'm a far cry from that as are you.

Bakman
07-13-2012, 07:51 PM
Great job. Two thumb up

gregzz4
07-13-2012, 08:17 PM
I'm sure someone who uses them probably has a better idea, so I'll just throw this out there ...

Driver mounting location. They got pretty warm after the overnight full power test. Any suggestions on keeping them cooler?
Are the driver housings plastic ? If so, an old school CPU heatsink and fan are out of the question
How do you feel about mounting them away from moisture and cutting holes in them ?
Then you could use little DC fans - they come as small as 25mm

toolmanbmw
07-13-2012, 09:38 PM
Are the driver housings plastic ? If so, an old school CPU heatsink and fan are out of the question
How do you feel about mounting them away from moisture and cutting holes in them ?
Then you could use little DC fans - they come as small as 25mm[/QUOTE]

That's a pretty good idea. Trying to find out how hot these drivers need to get before I have to worry about them. I am sure they will stay nice and cool with your hole and fans idea.


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Lampshade
07-13-2012, 10:58 PM
The Data Sheet (http://www.trcelectronics.com/Meanwell/pdf/lpf90d.pdf) for the LPF drivers says the working temp is 40-70°C and at 90°C it shuts down and won't power up until restart. Sounds like it has thermal protection, not bad at all, but I'd hate to test it :P. Generally, the cooler you can keep electronics the longer they last, fans will help the whole system and are pretty cheap, I've got a couple 140mm fans that are expensive at $20 and are near silent.

toolmanbmw
07-14-2012, 05:47 AM
Thanks lampshade for the info. The lights is completed now. Just need to wait for the VDM for the apex to arrive next week. I will get some before and after leds shots.

Going to leave the light on max again tonight and take some temp tomorrow morning.

http://img.tapatalk.com/44944e7d-0984-eea5.jpg
It's so bright... my phone wouldn't focus.
The left side has all 60 degree optics. These optics makes a huge difference for the light output.

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wingedfish
07-14-2012, 02:35 PM
I built this same light for a 75 gallon, (18 bridglux on a 4 foot rail, times 4) 6 months ago. No fans needed. I used 60 degree optics around the outside and 90 for the rest. It sits an inch off the water, with some dico balling. I have the intensity at 100%. It is bright, and all inhabitants seem to be fine. I used a six bulb t5ho before.

reefme
07-14-2012, 02:51 PM
I built this same light for a 75 gallon, (18 bridglux on a 4 foot rail, times 4) 6 months ago. No fans needed. I used 60 degree optics around the outside and 90 for the rest. It sits an inch off the water, with some dico balling. I have the intensity at 100%. It is bright, and all inhabitants seem to be fine. I used a six bulb t5ho before.

What is the size of your tank? Any SPS?

toolmanbmw
07-14-2012, 03:28 PM
Mine is a 75 gallon also. My lights will be 10" off the water. Running 4 T5 and 2 250W MH. Just a few pieces of sps.

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wingedfish
07-14-2012, 04:59 PM
What is the size of your tank? Any SPS?

75 gallon. Sps dominate. Tank has been up for close to two years.

reefme
07-14-2012, 05:01 PM
75 gallon. Sps dominate. Tank has been up for close to two years.

But what is the dimensions of the tank?

wingedfish
07-14-2012, 05:09 PM
But what is the dimensions of the tank?

48x16x24

toolmanbmw
07-14-2012, 05:31 PM
Almost seems these leds would put out way too much light if I have them at max.

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SeaHorse_Fanatic
07-14-2012, 06:30 PM
Yes, way too much probably.

72 x 3w = 216 watts

My entire 165g has only 280 watts at max and even with the whites at 70%, it was too much for many of my LPS. Now blues at max and whites are just barely on and it gives the tank a 15000-20000k look and the corals are loving it.

I would reduce your whites and max your blues to help make your corals pop and not light-stress them when you change the lights over. Just my experience.

Cal_stir
07-14-2012, 07:21 PM
Almost seems these leds would put out way too much light if I have them at max.

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I think you have the correct # of leds but the wrong ratio of blue & white, the par is about the same except we see the whites as brighter, the corals just see the par.
I have 72 3w on my 90g, I run the blues @ 100% at 1amp (48) and the whites @ 85% at 1.3amp (24), it's @ 20,000K I think.

toolmanbmw
07-14-2012, 08:23 PM
Yeah sounds like I will be running the blue more than the white. But will start off slow at first to get the coral use to the new light. Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Is it really true that blue leds put out the same par as the white one?


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Cal_stir
07-14-2012, 09:21 PM
This shows the par values of an AI sol wh vs AI super blue.

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/hardware/aqua-illumination-ai-sol-blue-vs-white-13846/

SeaHorse_Fanatic
07-14-2012, 09:41 PM
Yes, tested on a PAR meter and PAR was equal between blues & whites (at least with the 10w emitters I'm using).

toolmanbmw
07-14-2012, 10:25 PM
That is some great info guys. Thanks.


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wingedfish
07-15-2012, 03:17 PM
Figured out pics. Here's my tank with the 72 aqua style kit, at 100%.
Forgive the quality. You can see the spot light effect 90 degree lenses can do an inch off the water. I ran the light for months with no lenses but wanted to try this for a while.

http://i.imgur.com/s8JJN.jpg

toolmanbmw
07-15-2012, 05:33 PM
Wingedfish tank looks good. I can't wait to mount mine next week!


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Snaz
07-17-2012, 04:37 PM
I just ordered another kit from from the same site;
http://www.aquastyleonline.com/products/36--LEDs--DIY-Dimmable-Kit.html

This one is for my mother's BC29, great value if you have some soldering skills.

toolmanbmw
07-19-2012, 10:52 PM
Ok here it is. Finally finished... I have the light set at 30% power and will slowly bump it up 10% at a time over the next month or so. I took some before and after pics.

http://img.tapatalk.com/44944e7d-8f3b-0fdb.jpg
This is with 2 250w MH and 4 54w T5.

http://img.tapatalk.com/44944e7d-8f81-38bc.jpg
This is with T5 only

http://img.tapatalk.com/44944e7d-8fc0-c349.jpg
The new LEDs at 30% for both blue and white. The right side has 60 degrees optics and the left side doesn't have any.

http://img.tapatalk.com/44944e7d-9016-ce96.jpg
Inside the canopy.

http://img.tapatalk.com/44944e7d-9030-03b4.jpg
Inside the canopy.

http://img.tapatalk.com/44944e7d-9060-fdd6.jpg
Here is a more closeup pic.

Here is a link to a video for the tank with LEDs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgLG2V0VduE&feature=youtube_gdata_player


I like the look of the 60 degrees optics more. I can see way more lights on the sand bed. What do you guys think?



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Snaz
07-19-2012, 11:30 PM
Very nice. No more bulb replacements and less summer heat issues. I bet this pays for itself in 18 months. What was the final cost if I may ask?

toolmanbmw
07-20-2012, 12:15 AM
$260.00 for the leds, $40.00 for the u channel heatsink, $10.00 for resistor, fuse and misc stuff. So I guess $310.00 all said and done. Would have easily cost me more than that to change all my bulbs.


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Snaz
07-20-2012, 12:33 AM
$260.00 for the leds, $40.00 for the u channel heatsink, $10.00 for resistor, fuse and misc stuff. So I guess $310.00 all said and done. Would have easily cost me more than that to change all my bulbs.
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Excellent. If overheating is not an issue you should get five years before the emitters begin to wink out. Bet you wish you did it sooner eh? :biggrin:

Kevany
07-23-2012, 10:25 PM
Nice build Toolman, any heat issues as of yet? I will be looking at building the same setup for my 90 gallon. How was Aquastyle to deal with, would you recommend them for the LED parts required?

toolmanbmw
07-24-2012, 12:35 AM
Yeah I wish I got them earlier for sure :)

Nope no heat issues at all. Aquastyle was great. I was expecting fedex delivery from them but they shipped HK post instead... which gets here by Canada post. He gave me a great explanation that fedex I would most likely have to pay duty. I got the package and not a dim of duty paid and it got here faster than I expected. I believe it shipped in 2 days and got Here in less than 2 weeks. There was even extra leds and lens which I put away for now. I would recommend them and I got a few more sets of leds to build for my friends after they saw my lights.

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Snaz
07-24-2012, 01:44 AM
I just got my 2nd aquastyle order today arrived at my door via Canada post within eight days of placing the order, packing was top notch and well marked fragile.

My first order arrived via FedEx and one week after FedEx sent me a bill for$18. Lame.

Again I got three extra LEDs and tester. Great service and great product. Recommended!