DIY LED Multi-chip LED Lighting for 180 reef

[RedfordReefer]

I've been planning this a VERY long time. A couple years. Today, I finally got light. It was like a biblical moment for me. The arrays are complete. They are 100W each, and blue/white equal. I can dim each multi-chip individually however, and am working on the code for my Reef controller using a FEZ Panda II.

The light is crisp, without looking like smurf pee. my iPhone didn't do a great job picking up the color.

2X 20W Cool White
4X 10W Actinic Blue
2X 10W Royal blue

Each of three heat sinks has the same. I drilled and tapped the center for a 50W, should I decide I need more light.

Each color is on its own driver (PWM dimmable). Two Actinic blues, Two Royal Blues, and the other Two actinics are on their own drivers, as well as each 20W being on its own driver. Planning on a sunrise/sunset pattern with random clouds and moon phases. (waiting on my 3W UV still, have drivers for them already).


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Total cost is somewhere around $630 with all items included (Heat Sinks, LED Multi-chips, Drivers, Power Supplies). I fully expect this to light my 180 reef with absolutely no problems. The controller is the next big money sink. I plan on using solid-state relays to control powerheads, and even the temperature.

I am a huge nerd (Senior at Lawrence Tech) and love reefs. My love for Technology follows closely, so I figured I'd merge the two.