415 Gallon Plywood Tank Build
- Thread starter acrylic51
- Start date
2quills
Well-Known Member
Yeah from what I understand if you want to control different sets of lights you'll need multiple drivers, one for each set. Like Shawn mentioned you have to know what drivers you're using and what they can or cannot handle. Depending on the drivers though, like if your're using BuckPuck drivers...those require a seperate power supply and you can run one larger power supply to multiple drivers. If you want dimming capabilities you have to make sure you're using dimmable drivers that are designed for that.
Al, I agree 2 3watt Cree's would be more than bright enough to light up your tank. I'd maybe go with 4 myself and just dim them to how I like them. It might give you a little better spread and less spot light effect. But it's personal choice. I plan on running 6 total for my tank...3 cover each side...dimmible though so I can tweak the intensity rather easily.
Al, I agree 2 3watt Cree's would be more than bright enough to light up your tank. I'd maybe go with 4 myself and just dim them to how I like them. It might give you a little better spread and less spot light effect. But it's personal choice. I plan on running 6 total for my tank...3 cover each side...dimmible though so I can tweak the intensity rather easily.
rslinger
Member
I know they are making MeanWell drivers that can drive 24 3w Cree's. I have been doing a lot a reading on them. I like them over the BuckPuck because there is no need for separate power supply. I am going to start with 24 blue and 12 white on a 75 gallon tank. I am going to use L shaped aluminum. I figure if it is not enough i can easily add two more. I will use 45 deg. covers on blue and 60 on white. Hope it works out good but really looks easy enough.
acrylic51
Active Member
Rslinger.....I haven't heard of that MeanWell driver, but I caught whiff of something of that nature that there is something in development at this time by MeanWell on a new driver. From what I read and not sure if were talking the same driver, but it could be at least 6 months before anything actually comes out.....What info or link do you have???? Share it brother!!!!!
acrylic51
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Snapple http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/640#post_3346216
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?
I had mentioned about some larger MeanWell drivers to drive LED's and some of you guys might have seen these threads, but for the ones who haven't you might be totally amazed at the amount of work being done on the LEDs.....
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1847680
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1751598
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1678127
Originally Posted by 1Snapple http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/640#post_3346216
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?
I had mentioned about some larger MeanWell drivers to drive LED's and some of you guys might have seen these threads, but for the ones who haven't you might be totally amazed at the amount of work being done on the LEDs.....
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1847680
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1751598
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1678127
acrylic51
Active Member
Trying to get caught up on some backlog of work....Spent a little time and put together a couple videos on the process of pouring epoxy to give you guys and idea as to what's all involved.....As most know I've been toying with the idea of embedding background into epoxy, and that is what I used as my test piece for the videos.....Hang in there with me not a pro at loading up video, but hopefully I get it right on the first try!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWeyVGhxRFA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWeyVGhxRFA
acrylic51
Active Member
Going to try to keep the videos coming of the epoxy process. Please excuse the poor camera work on my part. Very hard to work the camera and mix, pour, and work the epoxy out and talk everyone through the process. I'm just so use to working and doing what I know needs to be done.....
acrylic51
Active Member
The last video of the day showing the epoxy all poured out over the work surface, and it's pretty much self leveling. I did take the little yellow squeege and work the epoxy to the edges or areas I didn't completely cover by tilting and rotating the work piece.....At this point it's pretty much sit and wait till the epoxy sets up. Really depends a lot on the hardner you choice and your work area temp. I have always used the slow hardner. Just in case you have some issues with bubbles or what not, it's a little more forgiving and gives you some time to work through issues you might have.
acrylic51
Active Member
Actually when I started the whole epoxy thing I was curious and heard so many stories about the smell....Being that my wife has a very acute sense of smell and wouldn't tolerate it, I sniffed the epoxy and no smell to me, but the hardner.....damn take a whiff of that and you do loose a few cells.....When mixed together they aren't bad at all. There are 2 different types of epoxy, and the ones we use for tanks isn't near as noxious as the other form of vapors. I don't remember the technical names off hand, but the other your suppose to wear a respiratory when working with. The ones we use are safe enough to put a heat source within close proximity too.
gemmy
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/660#post_3347917
Any volunteers to help come pour the last couple coats for me????
I would but I'm escaping to Florida.
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/660#post_3347917
Any volunteers to help come pour the last couple coats for me????
I would but I'm escaping to Florida.
al&burke
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/660#post_3347958
Actually when I started the whole epoxy thing I was curious and heard so many stories about the smell....Being that my wife has a very acute sense of smell and wouldn't tolerate it, I sniffed the epoxy and no smell to me, but the hardner.....damn take a whiff of that and you do loose a few cells.....When mixed together they aren't bad at all. There are 2 different types of epoxy, and the ones we use for tanks isn't near as noxious as the other form of vapors. I don't remember the technical names off hand, but the other your suppose to wear a respiratory when working with. The ones we use are safe enough to put a heat source within close proximity too.
That is good to know Shawn - I want to make a huge trough pond for the deck this summer 8 foot long maybe an L-shaped - each side 8 ft long - I can use that epoxy with plywood.
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/660#post_3347958
Actually when I started the whole epoxy thing I was curious and heard so many stories about the smell....Being that my wife has a very acute sense of smell and wouldn't tolerate it, I sniffed the epoxy and no smell to me, but the hardner.....damn take a whiff of that and you do loose a few cells.....When mixed together they aren't bad at all. There are 2 different types of epoxy, and the ones we use for tanks isn't near as noxious as the other form of vapors. I don't remember the technical names off hand, but the other your suppose to wear a respiratory when working with. The ones we use are safe enough to put a heat source within close proximity too.
That is good to know Shawn - I want to make a huge trough pond for the deck this summer 8 foot long maybe an L-shaped - each side 8 ft long - I can use that epoxy with plywood.