415 Gallon Plywood Tank Build
- Thread starter acrylic51
- Start date
acrylic51
Active Member
Ok.....did some really rough figuring......Measured the opening inside the euro bracing on the tank, and the measurements are 56 1/2" x 29". I'm tossing around using either 2.5" or 3" spacing. The height of the fixture can easily be adjusted up and down, so that really is no issue at this point. If I go or use the spacing center on center 2.5", I'm figuring I'd need 264 LEDs....at 3" spacing center to center I calculate 180 LEDs....Are my figures within line?
1snapple
Active Member
I think only the MW ELN-48-60D/P are dimmable in the MW line.
Shawn, If I did a ton of homework on some drivers for you I am sure I could come up something A LOT better then 15 MW drivers.
Im not saying it would be less expensive to do it but I can probably find a thomas research driver for you.
And check this out!!!
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1975251
This I think would be an good idea to duplicate for your build, just build 2.
Shawn, If I did a ton of homework on some drivers for you I am sure I could come up something A LOT better then 15 MW drivers.
Im not saying it would be less expensive to do it but I can probably find a thomas research driver for you.
And check this out!!!
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1975251
This I think would be an good idea to duplicate for your build, just build 2.
acrylic51
Active Member
Josh and Corey what are your takes on this power supply????
http://www.powergatellc.com/mean-well-hlg-240h-48-power-supply.html
http://www.powergatellc.com/mean-well-hlg-240h-48-power-supply.html
2quills
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/800#post_3370078
Are you talking about the dimming setup they have listed on their site? I think it was either you or Josh that told me to check it out. I remember looking at it briefly......
Yep...
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/800#post_3370078
Are you talking about the dimming setup they have listed on their site? I think it was either you or Josh that told me to check it out. I remember looking at it briefly......
Yep...
Control up to 3 channels individually (up to 9 drivers per controller, but you'll need at least one driver per channel)
Manual mode (press + or - to change intensity)
3 Daylight Program Modes (set sunrise/daylight/sunset times)
Can only be used with the ELN-60-48P driver (ELN-60-48D will NOT work)
Includes a 10V AC adapter
1 year warranty
For full specs, please read the User Manual
1snapple
Active Member
Yep, what Corey said.
I found this driver Shawn.
http://www.thomasresearchproducts.com/2010Datasheets/TRC200DimmingSeries09-06-10.pdf
the 700mA driver, 70% power at max which works perfectly. Runs 52-86 LEDs per driver, each dimmable.
I think 2 of these would work really well.
Also Shawn, What ratio of CW-RB LEDs are you thinking?
1-1 2 drivers would work.
Also, you could do 2 drivers that run less LEDs for blues, and 1 Large driver like the one above.
This could work out to be 2-1 on RB-CW
I found this driver Shawn.
http://www.thomasresearchproducts.com/2010Datasheets/TRC200DimmingSeries09-06-10.pdf
the 700mA driver, 70% power at max which works perfectly. Runs 52-86 LEDs per driver, each dimmable.
I think 2 of these would work really well.
Also Shawn, What ratio of CW-RB LEDs are you thinking?
1-1 2 drivers would work.
Also, you could do 2 drivers that run less LEDs for blues, and 1 Large driver like the one above.
This could work out to be 2-1 on RB-CW
acrylic51
Active Member
Yeah I understand the effort and need to cover the connections, but with the epoxy it makes it impossible to ever replace or change out LEDs if needed. Any idea on price for the drivers? With the addition of more epoxy work, I honestly don't think it would be any more economical than using the Meanwell. Less work involved and money in materials as well???? Please correct me if I'm wrong.....His build price wasn't exactly cheap!!!!!!
2quills
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/820#post_3370107
I think I'm going to run CW, RB, & B LEDs......Not sure the 2:1 mix will get what I'm after....still looking for the UV ones as well.
I think I'm going to order one of those flexible light strips that are weatherproof from superbrightled. All u.v. color and try them out on my 50g and see what happens. I'm a little worried what stronger ones might do.
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/820#post_3370107
I think I'm going to run CW, RB, & B LEDs......Not sure the 2:1 mix will get what I'm after....still looking for the UV ones as well.
I think I'm going to order one of those flexible light strips that are weatherproof from superbrightled. All u.v. color and try them out on my 50g and see what happens. I'm a little worried what stronger ones might do.
1snapple
Active Member
It wasn't cheap no doubt but, you can't connect 15 drivers to an apex, you can control 3 thomas drivers with an apex, the benefit to the thomas drivers is the amount, and you can make a splash shield to keep water and hands out, you just have to be diligent about wiring, same thing as the MW, just more power so you have to make sure you get everything done right.
2quills
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the call, Shawn. Just throwing this out there for you as an idea so it won't hurt my feelings if you don't like it.
Ok, don't laugh at my rough sketch, folks.
INFO:
U-Channel Heatsink Strips: 5 strips, 54" x 3", 36 LED's per strip for a total of 180 LED's set 3" on center.
I didn't incorporate it into the drawing but I left 3" gaps between the u-channel strips in case you wanted to throw in some T5's in between the heatsinks. The TEK reflectors are 3" wide so you could retro fit 4 bulbs in there. I think this would fill in any possible spotlighting or help fill in the spectrum. Heck, maybe you just want some different color and throw in a couple of those ATI purple + bulbs. Maybe even a strait u.v. fluorescent bulb. Whatever floats your boat.
I figured if you wanted to you could add some type of swivel on the ends of each heatsink that attach to the frame of your light rack and that way you can bevel them if you wish. In the sketch I drew it with the idea of using bolts or threaded rod perhaps that you could attach by caping the ends of the heatsinks and drilling a hole, then thread on some nuts.
Of course this idea surely could be tweaked around a bit. Perhaps each heatsink could have a row of royal blue and blue, and a row of white and cool white. Drive the whites and blues separately with two drivers. Or use 4 drivers and drive each individual color separately.
Just an idea.
Ok, don't laugh at my rough sketch, folks.
INFO:
U-Channel Heatsink Strips: 5 strips, 54" x 3", 36 LED's per strip for a total of 180 LED's set 3" on center.
I didn't incorporate it into the drawing but I left 3" gaps between the u-channel strips in case you wanted to throw in some T5's in between the heatsinks. The TEK reflectors are 3" wide so you could retro fit 4 bulbs in there. I think this would fill in any possible spotlighting or help fill in the spectrum. Heck, maybe you just want some different color and throw in a couple of those ATI purple + bulbs. Maybe even a strait u.v. fluorescent bulb. Whatever floats your boat.
I figured if you wanted to you could add some type of swivel on the ends of each heatsink that attach to the frame of your light rack and that way you can bevel them if you wish. In the sketch I drew it with the idea of using bolts or threaded rod perhaps that you could attach by caping the ends of the heatsinks and drilling a hole, then thread on some nuts.
Of course this idea surely could be tweaked around a bit. Perhaps each heatsink could have a row of royal blue and blue, and a row of white and cool white. Drive the whites and blues separately with two drivers. Or use 4 drivers and drive each individual color separately.
Just an idea.
1snapple
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/820#post_3370297
Hey Josh do you have a source for those TR drivers? From what I've gathered and read, they aren't easily obtained by the average end user!!!!
I haven't yet, i emailed nanotuners to see what they could do, I was looking a lot yesterday and didn't really find anything, Back to Coreys Picture, Great idea on the T5s. I would do LED/ T5 mix.
Best of both worlds.
I think it would be a good idea to have each HS pivot, so you can control the angle of the LED. pivot in Toward the middle, or closer to the sides .
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/820#post_3370297
Hey Josh do you have a source for those TR drivers? From what I've gathered and read, they aren't easily obtained by the average end user!!!!
I haven't yet, i emailed nanotuners to see what they could do, I was looking a lot yesterday and didn't really find anything, Back to Coreys Picture, Great idea on the T5s. I would do LED/ T5 mix.
Best of both worlds.
I think it would be a good idea to have each HS pivot, so you can control the angle of the LED. pivot in Toward the middle, or closer to the sides .