moovinfast Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 So Ive been wanting to try to build a led light to grow corals. So I was looking fo find or build a small cube tank for the light. I wanted to do a glass tank, but I found this one brand new for less than the cost of acrylic. I couldn't resist. Its 1/2" thick. 20x20x15" with an internal overflow and drilled for the return in the overflow. Next I found a stand on craigslist for $40. All I had to do as drill 2 holes in the top and reinforce the back with some 2x4s. I also bent and attached some 3/4" conduit to hold the light. For the light I ordered two 8.5x17" aluminum heatsinks and a bunch of 3w cree leds and power supplies to run them. We spent a few hours drilling and tapping the heatsink and hooking them together. Im still waiting for a few parts before I can go any further on the light. One of the powersupplies was bad and one of the leds was bad. So Im waiting for replacements. It should be pretty cool when its finished. I tried the ones I could at half brightness and I was seeing spots. So its going to be 39 leds in total. 3 strings of 13. So 26 white and 13 blue. And each color is dimmable so I can tune in the color and brightness. LED BUILD HERE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgf86123 Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 this is a really cool build man, definitely keep us updated on this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Nice job!! That tank is sweet. I've been wanting to build a small light with LEDs. I'm planning to have one on my frag tank that will sit inside my stand on my next tank. Will definitely be following your progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmike Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 I've been thinking of doing a DIY led setup, where did you buy the heatsink and LED parts from? Thanks Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted November 21, 2009 Author Share Posted November 21, 2009 Had a minor set back today. Finally tried to hook up the used skimmer I bought a while ago and it leaks bad. Looks like the flange is coming off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stylaster Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 awesome that light hood will turn out to be great. As for the skimmer, run down to hardware store and get some acrylic cement should fix it up with no problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smann Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 I've been thinking of doing a DIY led setup, where did you buy the heatsink and LED parts from? Thanks Mike Bump for this Could you post a parts list also. very cool build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted November 22, 2009 Author Share Posted November 22, 2009 Didn't see any acrylic cement. Maybe we'll look again tomorrow. As far as the main parts: 3 Meanwell 60-48D (each can run up to 13 leds each) 26 Cool white q4 Cree leds 13 Royal blue Cree leds 2 aluminum heatsinks (from heatsink usa) 12v dc powersupply and a LM317 (dimmer runs off 10 volts) 2 5k pots (one for each color) I also think the LED drivers can be controlled with a reef controller. But Im too cheap to try one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted November 23, 2009 Author Share Posted November 23, 2009 Got it all wired. Still waiting for the other powersupply, but I got it all hooked up and ready for when it gets here. Sorry about the crappy pic. Ill take a real one soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrellw Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Are you using any optics on you LEDs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted November 23, 2009 Author Share Posted November 23, 2009 No im not. Its only 15" deep. Shouldnt need them. But if I need more light at the bottom I can add them easily. They just snap on. Id probably go with a wide optic. Like a 80 or 60 degrree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted November 24, 2009 Author Share Posted November 24, 2009 The power supply showed up today and I got it all wired up and running. Still not sure if I'm going to build a canopy around the lights. I'm going to redo the hanging wires and the splash guard once I know where I want everything. I left it so everything is adjustable right now. Its also going to hooked into the other tanks sump once its cycled. So please ignore the heater and other tubes in the tank right now. Heres all the light at half power Heres just the blues at full power Heres the whites at full power Both at full power Anyone want to let me borrow a par meter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmike Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 pm me, you can borrow my par meter, I am looking to do LEDs over my next tank and wonder what kind of par these are putting out vs halides. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted November 25, 2009 Author Share Posted November 25, 2009 PM sent... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandinga Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 very nice LED setup. Like many others I am wanting to experiment with these on a frag tank...or nano. Can you provide a little insight into the wiring of the lights? Are there ballasts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReefMe Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 Is it Art or Science? Man, that is really aesthetic! When that is up and running with coral it will be incredible - really, really well done!(clap) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 That is sweet! Could you give us a cost brakedown? Oh, and whare ya got the parts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted November 28, 2009 Author Share Posted November 28, 2009 Nano Tuners guys sell pretty much everything you need. I got the drivers from them. Each Meanwell driver can run up to 13 leds running at 1000ma (the max for the leds). But you have to turn it down from the factory setting of 1300ma by turning a little plastic screw all the way down. You just wire the leds in series. Positive from one led to the Neg of the next and so on. You should check out the nano-reef guys. They have pretty much pioneered building these. Cost wise for a tank my size is $300-$400 depending where you get the parts from. The nano reef guys do group buys sometime which brings the cost down a bit. I got my leds from EGT inc and the heatsinks from heatsinkusa. A general rule is to space the leds about 2" apart from side to side and about 3" from side to side. But if you have a deep tank you will probably also need optics to focus the light. Like a 40 or 60 degree one. But the tighter lens you use the closer you need to space the leds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 Dang looking good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted November 29, 2009 Author Share Posted November 29, 2009 Im in portland for the night and heading back to Longview Sunday. Going to check out some shops. Anyone want to lend me a par meter while im in town? Or anyone want to come take some readings for me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 Tank is cycled and ready to hook into my sump. Should get that done in the next day or two. Then I get to add some livestock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stylaster Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 awesome man, i want to come up and check it out, let me know when you will be home roy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 Heading to the store now, but should be home most of the day. Just give me a call whenever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanz Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Sweet project! I want to do something like this over my tank as well, but only as spot lights. Did you look into the XR-Gs? I've been just all over the place looking into ideas on how to create the best setup for my 125 long without spending a fortune. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moovinfast Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 Didnt really look into them because Im pretty sure they are a few dollars more per led and I think the XR-E q4s put out more than enough light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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