Out with the old..... in with the new!

[Chris]

Finally was able to get my old t5's switched out for some new LED's! 72 cree 3w xp-e's, 36 CW (cool white), 36 RB Royal Blue). I am running them w/o optics for right now, but I am going to run 18 80 degree lenses, and the rest will be 60 degree.

So far I like the color of this combo, and really like the extra working room above the tank as well as these things take like no space!

Couple pics of the old:



And the new:



And with my Reef Angel controller I can create storms and cloud cover just like the more expensive units... but probably won't much with my jump happy wrasses lol

[Sir Patrick]

You pulled the trigger!!!! Nice man!!!

Looks like a great combo.

[Mike]

Looks sweet. I am finishing my build after nearly a year hiatus on it. I have all 80 degree optics for the build im doing so we can compare aftre I finish it up in a couple weeks.

[Poseidon]

Good stuff Chris, I'd like to check that out!

[Chris]

Yeah I am happy so far, but I think I will still go with my original plan and supplement it with 2 t'5s before it is all said n done. But I have to put on all the lenses still so maybe with it more focused it will brighten things up a bit more. I definitely like having the shimmer back tho, its been atleast 2 years since I had my 250w MH over my original 20g..... didn't realize how much I missed it until I got it back thats for sure!

The fish all seem to be fine with the change, corals don't seem any different either way which is better then they aren't liking the change atleast.

I went with starting w/o the lenses for the simple fact that I didn't want to "shock" everything by blasting them with the new lights after switching out my 14-20mo t5's for brand new leds. Hopefully this will help lessen the "new bulb" effects and keep the damage to a minimum, although with all the hassle I have had even getting to this point , and not realizing how old my bulbs actually were which was causing major algae issues theres not a ton left to worry about anyway!

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Sir Patrick

You pulled the trigger!!!! Nice man!!!

Looks like a great combo.

I actually ordered these several months ago..... but the guy I bought them from never provided fully on his end and has been screwing me around for a few months now. I finally broke down and spent the extra money to get the drivers, rest of the lenses I needed and a few wiring components from rapidLED.com and will have to do what I need to do to recoup my losses from the other guy

Originally Posted by Poseidon

Good stuff Chris, I'd like to check that out!

If I'm not at Reef Paradise I am usually home Tuesdays + Wednesdays. My # is still the same, but if you need it shoot me a pm or if you see my Tahoe at the shop stop in and we can run over here if ya want its only about 3 miles away.

[binford4000]

looks really good,The optics will really change the par values for sure.Did you make these dimable?? What kind of par are you getting without the optics.I run AI's and can't imagine haveing to supliment them.The diy cannon I have produces unreal par levels.So much I am glad a dimabel driver was used.Welcome to the led club!!!

[Chris]

Originally Posted by binford4000

looks really good,The optics will really change the par values for sure.Did you make these dimable?? What kind of par are you getting without the optics.I run AI's and can't imagine haveing to supliment them.The diy cannon I have produces unreal par levels.So much I am glad a dimabel driver was used.Welcome to the led club!!!

I have no idea on the par levels, I don't have a meter nor do I intend on testing them. If I had 1 or 2 more heatsinks full I probably wouldn't suppliment them, but I am a bit light w/ only 72 leds over a 180, but I also want to suppliment them with a couple t5's for various reasons, like I want more a little more blue, and some red in the coloration. Also, your comparing AI's to DIY's..... theres a bit of a difference lol But yes, they are dimmable, and fully controllable to the point where I can also do cloud cover and lightning storms just like your AI's if I really wanted to.

[binford4000]

Originally Posted by chort55

I have no idea on the par levels, I don't have a meter nor do I intend on testing them. If I had 1 or 2 more heatsinks full I probably wouldn't suppliment them, but I am a bit light w/ only 72 leds over a 180, but I also want to suppliment them with a couple t5's for various reasons, like I want more a little more blue, and some red in the coloration. Also, your comparing AI's to DIY's..... theres a bit of a difference lol But yes, they are dimmable, and fully controllable to the point where I can also do cloud cover and lightning storms just like your AI's if I really wanted to.

Well they look good.Was just trying to say that when and if you install the optics the intensity will be very diffrent is all.I wasn't trying to compare anything just that optics make a very serious diffrence.Nice job anyway

[Chris]

Originally Posted by binford4000

Well they look good.Was just trying to say that when and if you install the optics the intensity will be very diffrent is all.I wasn't trying to compare anything just that optics make a very serious diffrence.Nice job anyway

Oh yeah, I know the lenses will make a big difference in the par, which is why I opted to leave them off initially to try to lessen the "shock" of the new lights on the corals. If I went with the AI's and enough fixtures anyways, I wouldn't imagine supplimenting them either, but with just the 72 "DIY" LEDs I think a little supplimentation wouldnt hurt anyways.

Thanks, so far I am happy overall with the way they turned out