LED DIY LIGHT build
- Thread starter 1snapple
- Start date
monsinour
Active Member
temperature of the water is why they cant be combined. Catalina gobies need no higher than 72 F water if I am not mistaken. You can combine the catalina with seahorses. I have already checked that idea and it didnt work out. And, the missus has laid claim to the spot where I wanted to put my tank so now I have to come up with a new location for the tank and in this house, there isnt any room.
Sigh, you can have your spot.
Sigh, you can have your spot.
monsinour
Active Member
here is an idea that came from another board -
Most of the optics sold focus the light of just one led to a narrow field allowing for greater dept penetration and concentration of the light. If the fixture is placed too close to the surface or the leds are spread out too far you will get the multi color shimmer/shadows and not a blending of the lights. If I'm not mistaken the lense cover on the LEDs is 120 degrees already. Leaving off the optics might be your best bet for a better blended light.
That is an interesting thought. It is a small tank, and I might not need the lenses over the LEDs. Thoughts?
Most of the optics sold focus the light of just one led to a narrow field allowing for greater dept penetration and concentration of the light. If the fixture is placed too close to the surface or the leds are spread out too far you will get the multi color shimmer/shadows and not a blending of the lights. If I'm not mistaken the lense cover on the LEDs is 120 degrees already. Leaving off the optics might be your best bet for a better blended light.
That is an interesting thought. It is a small tank, and I might not need the lenses over the LEDs. Thoughts?
reefraff
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/383238/led-diy-light-build/120#post_3356437
here is an idea that came from another board -
Most of the optics sold focus the light of just one led to a narrow field allowing for greater dept penetration and concentration of the light. If the fixture is placed too close to the surface or the leds are spread out too far you will get the multi color shimmer/shadows and not a blending of the lights. If I'm not mistaken the lense cover on the LEDs is 120 degrees already. Leaving off the optics might be your best bet for a better blended light.
That is an interesting thought. It is a small tank, and I might not need the lenses over the LEDs. Thoughts?
I wasn't using optics on my 24" tall tank and would have had enough light for zoas easy. My LED's are spaced out 2 3/4 inches apart length wise and 2" apart front to back so there are 6 rows of LED's over a 24" area front to back.
Even without optics I get some crazy shimmer. The warm white LED's give a slightly purple looking component to the shimmer that looks cool. Cheesy video from when I first set up the tank shows the shimmers on the close ups. Color looks slightly more neutral in person. The sandbed looks much more white in person.
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/383238/led-diy-light-build/120#post_3356437
here is an idea that came from another board -
Most of the optics sold focus the light of just one led to a narrow field allowing for greater dept penetration and concentration of the light. If the fixture is placed too close to the surface or the leds are spread out too far you will get the multi color shimmer/shadows and not a blending of the lights. If I'm not mistaken the lense cover on the LEDs is 120 degrees already. Leaving off the optics might be your best bet for a better blended light.
That is an interesting thought. It is a small tank, and I might not need the lenses over the LEDs. Thoughts?
I wasn't using optics on my 24" tall tank and would have had enough light for zoas easy. My LED's are spaced out 2 3/4 inches apart length wise and 2" apart front to back so there are 6 rows of LED's over a 24" area front to back.
Even without optics I get some crazy shimmer. The warm white LED's give a slightly purple looking component to the shimmer that looks cool. Cheesy video from when I first set up the tank shows the shimmers on the close ups. Color looks slightly more neutral in person. The sandbed looks much more white in person.
monsinour
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/383238/led-diy-light-build/120#post_3356641
You shouldn't have to wire up a pot to get the leds to work but you will need to adjust the internal pot on the driver as Monsi sugguested. Get yourself a cheap $10 multi meter from lowes or HD.
+1
Its all about the adjustment of the little white plastic screw inside the driver. Make sure you start with it all the way down first.
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/383238/led-diy-light-build/120#post_3356641
You shouldn't have to wire up a pot to get the leds to work but you will need to adjust the internal pot on the driver as Monsi sugguested. Get yourself a cheap $10 multi meter from lowes or HD.
+1
Its all about the adjustment of the little white plastic screw inside the driver. Make sure you start with it all the way down first.
1snapple
Active Member
It WORKS!!! I wired in the dimmer and it worked... BEAUTIFULLY.
Heatsink.
Driver.
Cw LEDs, and dimmer.
Royal blue.
10v dimmer adapter.
LEDs superglued into place, (no fogging but I used VERY little superglue.)
First attempt w/o the dimmer. Barely glowing.
Over my pico, works awesomely, extremely bright.
Over pico, lowest setting.
Depth test, 22" of water. LED 6" above waterlevel. Lowest setting.
Depth test 2. 22" water. 6" above water level. Medium-low power.
Through 48" of water, to the far wall.
Heatsink.
Driver.
Cw LEDs, and dimmer.
Royal blue.
10v dimmer adapter.
LEDs superglued into place, (no fogging but I used VERY little superglue.)
First attempt w/o the dimmer. Barely glowing.
Over my pico, works awesomely, extremely bright.
Over pico, lowest setting.
Depth test, 22" of water. LED 6" above waterlevel. Lowest setting.
Depth test 2. 22" water. 6" above water level. Medium-low power.
Through 48" of water, to the far wall.