help with DIY LED

verojeremy

Member
I wanted to do led's over my 75 gallon tank and I don't really know how I should do it like how long and wide of a heatsink how many leds and so on. Again it's on a 75 gallon tank and I want to keep all kinds of coral.
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I'm just now delving into LEDs myself, thinking of doing an LED system for my 20g nano. This is just stuff from what I have read, but it's not going to be as detailed as some of the other members can get into, for sure!
My tank is 24" long, so I'm building a fixture with a 23" heat sink. Your 75g should be 4ft long, so you would use two heat sinks, 23" long each. My small system is going to require 3 drivers. Drivers are the "power controllers" for the LEDs to run (basically, ballasts) I think I'm going to go with 3 ELN drivers, but you might do better with to HLG drivers. Other people can tell you better why I think that.
For my little setup, I'm considering all different types of color options. There's cool whites, warm whites, blues, royal blues, ultraviolate, reds and greens. By having a setup that only uses cool whites and royal blues, some people have said that it "washes out" certain colors. That's the reason I am going to go with a few different color options. I'm thinking of going with twelve 3w cool whites on one driver; twelve 3w royal blues on another driver, and then in the center I'm thinking about doing three reds without optics, three greens without optics, two ultraviolates without optics. Then, that gives me enough space on the heat sink for four moonlights. I'm by no means saying that it's the only way to do it, but the way I am considering for my LED setup to consist of.
A lot of the pre-drilled heat sinks, LED stars, drivers and so forth, can be bought though one particular company that is standing out among the rest, but you may find it cheaper to go with several different companies for various things. Don't forget that you may want a couple dimmer switches to get your desired kelvin level right.
I hope this bump helps you. :D
 

king_neptune

Active Member
Heres a cool one I made for my 180g octogon:
[/IMG]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/Grunt_Style/S6301286.jpg[/IMG]
[/IMG]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/Grunt_Style/S6301287.jpg[/IMG]
[/IMG]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/Grunt_Style/ooouu022.jpg[/IMG]
[/IMG]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/Grunt_Style/ooouu023.jpg[/IMG]
[/IMG]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/Grunt_Style/ooouu038.jpg[/IMG]
[/IMG]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/Grunt_Style/ooouu040.jpg[/IMG]
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/Grunt_Style/IMG_2681.jpg
I got two 48led dimmable kits from rapid LED. Honestly the truth is I didnt need dimmable. Its really was a novelty, im either all white, all blue or both. 99% of the time Im both, as will yours be. And Im not here to get in a early morning and late evening simulation debate...thats one of those bare bottom vs' DSB topics.
You can do with a 48led kit depending on the dimensions of your tank. Mine had a unique shape that lets me get away with my foot print to lights ratio. Personally I think you should be bold and get one more driver and 12 red LED's and throw them into the mix of the B/W.Supposedly its good to add some red to it all. Ill let you know on the next array ^_^
 

king_neptune

Active Member
Wow. I really remember why I left, haha. I hate this interface with a passion. GImme a min to figure out how to do some simple posting of pictures.
 
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