Recommendations on Red Sea Max LED retrofit

Snaz · #1 08-10-2012, 08:51 PM

The best resource for you right now would be nano-reef.com Particularly the lighting, DIY and AIO forums. I bet you can find lots of threads regarding DIY retrofit for your tank there.

Ray at Aquastyle Online will answer emails or comments submitted through the website very quickly. He appears to be fluent in English so no worries about language barrier and ask how to switch some emitters colours around when ordering, he will accommodate.

I only started SPS since getting the aquastyle LEDs so I can't offer comparative advice but the SPS I acquired since are growing well.

The voltage and emitter questions will be well answered by the fine folks at NR, it might be worth you cross posting there if you are not getting the answers you seek here.

Stones · #2 08-10-2012, 10:01 PM

Thanks Snaz, I figured you'd have some insight as you seem to pop up in all of the LED build threads

I'll poke around on nano-reef and see if someone has done a similar build to what I'm trying to accomplish. My biggest concern is simply coverage as I'm sure the intensity under the LEDs will be sufficient granted the higher output of the XM-L's.

I've already emailed aquastyle to see how to go about switching out some of the emitters for more color variety and just waiting on a response.

Were you able to avoid brokerage fees on your 2nd order or did they ship via Fedex again? I couldn't find where Aquastyle was based out of so but I doubt shipping USPS is an option...

mseepman · #3 08-10-2012, 10:13 PM

This might be a good alternative...nice and easy too.http://www.modularled.ca/red-sea-max-130-130d/

Stones · #4 08-10-2012, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mseepman

This might be a good alternative...nice and easy too.http://www.modularled.ca/red-sea-max-130-130d/

Thanks for the link. I did check out the Modular LED kit but I already own a 4 x 20" heatsink and have several Meanwell drivers and Cree LEDs kicking around that I wouldn't mind using if it will provide decent enough coverage.

Snaz · #5 08-10-2012, 10:33 PM

Regarding shipping. My first order was shipped via fedex and arrived in 5 days but about a week later FedEx sent me a brokerage bill in the mail for 18 dollars. Lame. The second order was shipped via Hong Kong post which handed off to Canada Post Express and arrived in 7 days, no extra fees/brokerage etc. Nice.

Stones · #6 08-10-2012, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snaz

Regarding shipping. My first order was shipped via fedex and arrived in 5 days but about a week later FedEx sent me a brokerage bill in the mail for 18 dollars. Lame. The second order was shipped via Hong Kong post which handed off to Canada Post Express and arrived in 7 days, no extra fees/brokerage etc. Nice.

Thanks Snaz! If I order, I'll request that it come via HK post to avoid brokerage fees.

mseepman · #7 08-10-2012, 11:16 PM

If you already have some CREE's and some drivers...here is what I would do. I don't think the 8 XM-L's will be enough. I would buy a small mix of Modularled White and Royals and add them along with a small driver to the mix you listed above with the 8 XM-L's (assuming you have these already). That heatsink can handle a lot of LED's. This should still be your cheapest solution while getting you LED's that you know you can count on.