LED lighting HELP

[nlreefguy]

By the way, how long is your tank? If it's 48" and you're putting the LED's on a 36" heatsink that should be fine. I mean, obviously the ends of the tank won't be lit as well but for most tank layouts that's fine - it either gives less illumination in an area where you're really not growing anything or gives you a zone where you can safely grow less light-loving corals.

[bowkry]

I just installed a aquaray marine white tile over my 29 gal biocube, It has 10 led's I am not sure what watt, but it bleached all my sps the first 4 days now the color is comming back, but to my eye the light didn't seem that bright.

[monocus]

for that price AND $20 PLUS TAX you could get a 2' vertex illuminux from j&l-i have the last one on hold but they will bring more in.i'll be using it on a 29x18x18 breeding/frag tank

[triplejjj031]

Originally Posted by monocus

for that price AND $20 PLUS TAX you could get a 2' vertex illuminux from j&l-i have the last one on hold but they will bring more in.i'll be using it on a 29x18x18 breeding/frag tank

Ya I was looking at the Illuminux, the 36" considering just buying this instead, and skipping the hassle of DIY. Will it be enough for my 48" x 18 x 20 tank, to grow sps and anemones.

[nlreefguy]

Originally Posted by triplejjj031

Ya I was looking at the Illuminux, the 36" considering just buying this instead, and skipping the hassle of DIY. Will it be enough for my 48" x 18 x 20 tank, to grow sps and anemones.

Personally I feel the DIY route gives you a more flexible and customizable fixture at less cost. I don't think you will find that 24 LED's is enough, probably more like 48 to get the appropriate spread and power. I have to admit I'm not familiar with the Illuminux fixture but the previous fixtures from Vertex were way overpriced in my opinion.

[triplejjj031]

Originally Posted by nlreefguy

Personally I feel the DIY route gives you a more flexible and customizable fixture at less cost. I don't think you will find that 24 LED's is enough, probably more like 48 to get the appropriate spread and power. I have to admit I'm not familiar with the Illuminux fixture but the previous fixtures from Vertex were way overpriced in my opinion.

Ya I agree, I have decided on getting 36 Cree XP series LED's (18 cool white and 18 royal blue) This will give me a 108 watt, and spreading it over 36" heat sink. This will also allow me to add more led lights to my fixture in the future if i find that it is not strong enough.

[nlreefguy]

Originally Posted by triplejjj031

Ya I agree, I have decided on getting 36 Cree XP series LED's (18 cool white and 18 royal blue) This will give me a 108 watt, and spreading it over 36" heat sink. This will also allow me to add more led lights to my fixture in the future if i find that it is not strong enough.

Excellent point (and a good start). That also points out the other major strength of DIY - upgradability without replacing the entire fixture!

[triplejjj031]

Originally Posted by nlreefguy

By the way, how long is your tank? If it's 48" and you're putting the LED's on a 36" heatsink that should be fine. I mean, obviously the ends of the tank won't be lit as well but for most tank layouts that's fine - it either gives less illumination in an area where you're really not growing anything or gives you a zone where you can safely grow less light-loving corals.

Hey ya sorry I should have specified, its a 48" tank, but I dont think there is a need for a 48" heatsink, Im just really looking for concentrated light focused in the middle, where I can keep my sps and anenomes, and keep my other less light sensitive corals to the sides.
And also ya my first post I was looking at different set of lights instead of these Cree leds, and I know having 240 watts of LED is overkill so I was just going to stick with these 24 X 3 watt so aprox. 75 watts of LED power. I think it should be good enough. For the total cost for the DIY im looking at $300 shipped.