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Some of us must have different definitions of plug and play. Modular LEDs are no different than other DIY leds besides not requiring soldering although there are also non-soldering options available for other LED boards as well. Regardless the modular LEDs still have to be mounted to an appropriately sized heat sink which has to be cooled with fans and mounted some how above your tank. The LEDs then have to be connected in series appropriately and connected to multiple drivers (ideally with a soldered connection) which also have to be mounted somewhere. Then drivers may or may not need to be tuned to the correct current, either way some basic knowledge about the subject is needed. Then you have to configure the 0-10V or PWM dimming signal to some kind of controller which isn't always that easy for even technical minded people. I don't know about you but I don't see how this falls under plug and play...
Last edited by sphelps; 01-30-2012 at 05:25 PM. |
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#3
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what if you dont have a hood/canopy?..... or the skills/tools to make one?.....then your left with an unsightly diy LED, however easy it may be to assemble.....
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260g mixed reef, 105g sump, water blaster 7000 return, Bubble King SM 300 skimmer, Aqua Controller Jr, 4 radions, 3 Tunze 6055s,1 tunze 6065, 2 Vortech MP40s, Vortech MP20, Tunze ATO, GHL SA2 doser, 2 TLF reactors (1 carbon, 1 rowa). http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=50034 . Tank Video here http://www.vimeo.com/2304609 and here http://www.vimeo.com/16591694 |
#4
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Only if you pay for it, I think someone that was unsure about how these work would be better off putting that extra cash towards a fixture with warranty rather than a DIY system that they no nothing about as it was put together by someone else. I'm sure he's a good guy and all but is this a career path, will he be around to service such items in the future?
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Update - I will have my new lighting delivered on Friday the 3rd. After a lengthy conversation with Martin, I ordered 3 blue Sols. Total cost including rails, cable kit & taxes - under $1500.
I appreciate all the comments provided by everyone and I considered each one of them in my decision. DIY may have saved some money but it required assembly and skills I do not have. |
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Cool, ramp them up slowly
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I didn't know that Martin would assemble the units for you free of charge, that's a sweet deal! I will have to contact him for my LED project. Thanks for the info.
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You better mester
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Feed the bear goodies, make a new friend, don't feed the bear............... 8' - 165gal Reef DIY LED's Build 2012 Nano Contest Winner Febuary 2013 POTM Winner 300 gal + 60 gal Complete DIY Build |