415 Gallon Plywood Tank Build

acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I've also been tossing around the idea of using a MH with the LumenBright reflector on a light mover and supplementing with LEDs.... Just still seems to be something missing in regards to color loss of some corals?? Not all people report that issue, but a few have. Everyone's take on that???
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
I've decided to play it safe...combo / 72 Leds and 4-T5's. Got a good idea that can easily utilize the pre drilled heatsinks at RapidLED. With 4 choices of T5 bulbs to chose from I should be able to give the tank everything it needs and still have some flexibility for nice effect as well.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Have you thought about spacing on the leds Corey? I hadn't really thought about T5's over the tank.....I'd still get the penetration with the T5's.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
That's some pretty healthy wave action that guy has got going on in his tank. Would be nice if I could do that with just 2 of the 6105's. Has anyone over heard of or know if there have been any ill affects of wave action being created in a glass tank? Would the displacement of water from side to side like that put alot of stress on the joints of the tank?
Shawn, no I hadn't seen that one for the leds. I like the idea though. Pretty simple, pretty clean. I may do something along those lines. Would be nice to have them in strips like that...hmmm, decisions, decisions.
 
1snapple

1snapple

Active Member
thats an awesome build. i want to try that. Shawnn if I wanted to try what epoxy would YOU recommend?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/640#post_3345118
That's some pretty healthy wave action that guy has got going on in his tank. Would be nice if I could do that with just 2 of the 6105's. Has anyone over heard of or know if there have been any ill affects of wave action being created in a glass tank? Would the displacement of water from side to side like that put alot of stress on the joints of the tank?
Shawn, no I hadn't seen that one for the leds. I like the idea though. Pretty simple, pretty clean. I may do something along those lines. Would be nice to have them in strips like that...hmmm, decisions, decisions.
Corey (2) 6105's would easily create a wave in your tank....It's all about finding the correct frequency and sweet spot....There's no exact setpoints....What might work on my 120 might be totally off on yours depending on rock work and such.....but yeah I think f you could find some 6100's you could produce as well.......
As far as stress.....Haven't heard anything against doing it in glass tanks....The real issue is can the stand take it? I know how your stand is built, and yes it could, but that is what has been the major concern with guys doing it with glass or acrylic tanks.....
I thought that LED build was super clean....love the strip idea, and his sketchup drawings were perfect......Honestly made me thing again about lighting......as soon as I think I have a solid plan I see something else.....His spacing is perfect and would actually make the # of LEDs a little more reasonable depending what your plans are as far as livestock.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Thanks Josh!!!!!! There are quite a few epoxies that could be used that have been used that are know for fact to be reef/aquarium safe.....There's West Systems, MAS, 3 Systems, US Composites.....All very reputable companies.....My choices came down to West and MAS....West the older of the companies, and their tech support was super IMHO, and even when I call them to double check things, they remember me as the crazy fish tank guy........Their product is a little pricey, but they have a good reputation. MAS is a little cheaper price; not much, and the other 2 brands are a bit cheaper.......There are probably others out there, but the ones commonly used.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Snapple http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/640#post_3345186
thats an awesome build. i want to try that. Shawnn if I wanted to try what epoxy would YOU recommend?
 
1snapple

1snapple

Active Member
Okay, i think i will do a build like that, more LED's and use for my pico right now but then make some for a couple frag tanks, make the frag tanks 24"x24"x10". 3/8" w/ euro bracing right? no need for center bracing?
 
posiden

posiden

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/620#post_3344902
I've been around here forever and going to ask a stupid question....What the H3ll does IIRC mean?
I'm really undecided on the heat sinks....I've looked and sourced out a few places that can custom cut heat sinks like Rapidled sells, and then there's always the idea of DIY heatsink using "C" or "U" channel.....I'd feel a little more comfortable probably with an actual heatsink, only because I haven't really seen to many people do the channel and give real results. Another reason is haven't come up with a way to actually tie the channels together. I want as clean a build as possible. Disadvantage to actual heatsinks is weight. I still have to do some homework as far as searching out something on the line of wall speaker mounts that are adjustable or swivel. I seen a build on RC that it was done and it makes it super nice being able to adjust the lighting as well.
Given what you built for your lights to mount too, I don't think weight is an issue. I thought of buying the heat sink from rapid led. I'm going to buy everything else from them. However, after reading that thread you posted, I might just make my own. They also posted a cad drawing of a 36x18 tank in there too. That fits my 65 just fine and dandy.LOL. I saved those images, so I have to THANK YOU for that read.
 
1snapple

1snapple

Active Member
im with you posiden. I think i am going to get the 12 LED kit and make a LED light for my pico, it will be awesome. As for a heat sink i think i will do the 1" square aluminum tubing and cut off 1 side, bolt them together and it would work great
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I just happened to stumble across that thread!!!! The CAD drawings caught my eye, and the more I read....the aluminum channel I have good access to at decent price as well, so more food for thought. My deal still is the power supply issue though. A bunch of Meanwell drivers aren't considered very safe. Potential fire hazard????
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
There are larger MeanWell drivers just not sure how you'd go about dimming individual groups of LEDs though. Off the top of my head, I think the larger drivers will drive 48 LEDs.
 
1snapple

1snapple

Active Member
can you re wire a driver and make it work a cluster of LED's? have 1 driver with multiple switches to work indivdual LED's?
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
I would like to make a moon light maybe 5 or 6 bulbs, what would I need or is cheaper to go and by one of those premade ones.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
1Snapple.... It's a little more than wiring a couple together. The standard driver is designed to run a max of 12-13 LEDs. The drivers can be adjusted as far as forward voltage to the LEDs, so you have to be diligent in knowing the values o what the LEDs require or can handle. The driver can only put out "X" amount voltage. So basically you can't rewire the driver itself using the MeanWell drivers.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Al 5-6 moonlights are pretty bright IMO..., how big of a tank? Heck I used 3 of the IceCap moonlights and they were bright.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top