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DIY 24 count 72W LED array
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Crazy Tarzan View Drop Down
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Joined: September 12 2003
Location: Riverton, WY
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Points: 1681 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Crazy Tarzan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: DIY 24 count 72W LED array
    Posted: May 03 2010 at 7:38pm
So a while back I decided to upgrade my biocube 29 with some LED lights.  I chose led for several reasons:

Hood--I can keep my original BioCube hood, since I have little nieces and nephews that would put any and everything in if they could and also because I like certain fish that jump and the hood helps keep them in.

Heat--way less heat to deal with than more pc's or a halide conversion, I already have issues during the summer with the tank getting too warm even with the ac on.

Efficiency--for the same 72W I get way more light than the pc's offered. The last pic is actually only at 85% strength, they've been turned up a bit more since then.

I have a much more detailed thread that can be found here http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=227727&st=0&p=2824035&#entry2824035

But here are some a few pics and a super short list of what went into it.
All said and done I did spend probably $350

Heatsink from heatsink usa, ebay.
LED from Rapid LED (royal blue) and Deal Extreme (cool white)
Two ELN-60-48 dimmable drivers
lots of wire, and soldering stuff.



Before with PC's

After with LED


Edited by Crazy Tarzan - May 03 2010 at 11:44pm
Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ?

Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing
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fishoutawater View Drop Down
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Joined: March 23 2009
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Points: 639 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fishoutawater Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 03 2010 at 8:14pm
What is your spacing? Are you running it without optics? Do you like the color going 50/50? Have you seen a temp decrease since changing to LED?
Some day, when I grow up,...
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Crazy Tarzan View Drop Down
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Joined: September 12 2003
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Points: 1681 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Crazy Tarzan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 03 2010 at 8:27pm
The spacing I figured out in the other thread in the link above--about 2" side to side, and close to that front to back.  

The color is great, at least I like it--though if I ever finish my dimming controls that will allow me to blend the color from all blue to all white.  

No optics, they would be pushing it on this shallow of a tank. 

The temp is now more stable and hasn't gone over 80 more than a couple of times--but thats because since I swapped out the weather is killing me--house either gets to warm or it's too cold. Dang spring weather.
Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ?

Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing
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Deluxe247 View Drop Down
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Joined: December 02 2009
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Points: 336 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Deluxe247 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 03 2010 at 10:33pm
Hey I tried your link to the more detailed thread and it just brings me back to this same thread.  Anyway, very cool project!  I'm 99% sure a DIY LED project is in my future.  Just have to figure out how many to put over a 55G tank (that is, if I don't upgrade the tank first).
90G Mixed Reef
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Crazy Tarzan View Drop Down
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Joined: September 12 2003
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Points: 1681 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Crazy Tarzan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 03 2010 at 11:44pm
link fixed--that's what I get for not testing it before hand.
Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ?

Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing
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