[Timezone Detection]
Create Account - Join in Seconds!

User Name: Email Address:
Human Verification

Please enter the six letters or digits that appear in the image opposite.

LED Strip Heat Rise?


Bookmark and Share
Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    dlhirst - Reefkeeper
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Detroit MI
    Posts
    705
    First Name
    Don

    Default LED Strip Heat Rise?

    I picked up one of these at MACNA:

    BlueLine 24" 18w Blue VHO LED Strip :: BlueLine VHO LED Strips :: LED Lighting Systems :: Lighting :: Champion Lighting & Supply

    The only real disappointment with my all in one tank is the inability to select only SOME of the lights in the fixture. It's all six (T5s) or none. So I figured I could rig this up somehow. Turns out that adding this in was easy peasy. I'll add a pic soon.

    Now, I have two big concerns...

    1. What kind of heat rise might I expect? I am at about 80F in summer days without heaters running.

    2. To mitigate heat, I was thinking of splitting the light cycle of the LEDs. Few hours in the morning, and then a few hours in the evening. With both cycles overlapping with the T5s for half of the time. Any reason to worry about that kind of intermittent lighting for the animals in the tank?

    By the way, the added color is awesome!

  2. #2
    XSiVE - Reefkeeper
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Waterford
    Posts
    576
    First Name
    Ryan
    Awards Monthly Giveaway Winner

    Default

    You shouldn't see any heat rise from that.

  3. #3
    dlhirst - Reefkeeper
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Detroit MI
    Posts
    705
    First Name
    Don

    Default

    My hood has two hinged sections, normally the smaller section stays open in the summer to help ventilate the heat. That hinged section is where I mounted the LEDs, so it is now closed. I will get some heat from that.

    But, I am hoping that the extra light from 18W of LEDs can allow me to turn down the length of the T5s. Is that a fair assumption?

  4. #4
    jimsflies - Reefkeeper
    Admin/Founder

    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    11,467
    First Name
    Jim

    Default

    I wouldn't be surprised if the blue leds put out more PAR than one or two of your t5's. So yeah, you could shorten the photoperiod of your t5's.

  5. #5
    iyachtuxivm - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Flint
    Posts
    618
    First Name
    Jamie

    Default

    Unfortunately you probably wont see much of a PAR increase from them, they are only 1w LEDs. They will make a great companion light to your set up like a moon light. I have an Icecap one that really lights the tank up, but really no par cant even tell it on with the T5s on. I use mine to watch all the corals glow at night in the "moon light". No heat though.
    "The beatings will continue until morale improves."

  6. #6
    MizTanks - Reefkeeper
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    U.P. of Michigan.
    Posts
    8,444
    First Name
    Jamie
    Awards Photo of the Month - October 2012 Photo of the Month Post and Reply Award - Winner of the first PAR Contest. Monthly Giveaway Winner

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by iyachtuxivm View Post
    Unfortunately you probably wont see much of a PAR increase from them, they are only 1w LEDs. They will make a great companion light to your set up like a moon light. I have an Icecap one that really lights the tank up, but really no par cant even tell it on with the T5s on. I use mine to watch all the corals glow at night in the "moon light". No heat though.
    Otherwise what your saying is, any led under 3w would pretty much be just for show? I'm asking cause I was thinking of adding a strip light myself.
    There's nothing like being a Reefer! www.upmmas.com

  7. #7
    iyachtuxivm - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Flint
    Posts
    618
    First Name
    Jamie

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by MizTanks View Post
    Otherwise what your saying is, any led under 3w would pretty much be just for show? I'm asking cause I was thinking of adding a strip light myself.
    Pretty much.
    Everything that emits light will emit some with a par value although that value varies greatly. If you look at the design of the first sunbrites it used 1 watt leds at 90 per foot so a 4foot strip would have 360 leds. As a stand alone light source you needed 5-6 strips to light an average 4 foot tank like a 75g. Hope that puts it in perspective a little. It really has a lot to do with lumens and radiant flux the brightness and the power the light gets "pushed" at to deliver that PAR to the corals. It gets more technical then I know how to explain really. Does the light create PAR? Yes. Would I reduce my lighting schedule because of this strip? No They are great for aesthetics and maybe it will add something to the overall spectrum or PAR levels. I am not saying they are bad.
    "The beatings will continue until morale improves."

  8. #8
    MizTanks - Reefkeeper
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    U.P. of Michigan.
    Posts
    8,444
    First Name
    Jamie
    Awards Photo of the Month - October 2012 Photo of the Month Post and Reply Award - Winner of the first PAR Contest. Monthly Giveaway Winner

    Default

    Not taking your info as if your saying anything bad at all. Great simple explanation period thank you.
    There's nothing like being a Reefer! www.upmmas.com

Similar Topics

  1. RKE , Tunze nano wave box , LED Strip
    By Manoj's Reef in forum Equipment Sales & Trades
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 01-03-2013, 10:40 PM
  2. F/S or F/T: Led bar strip
    By wolverine57 in forum Equipment Sales & Trades
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-08-2011, 02:07 PM
  3. Lighting/ T5 Bumped the reset button on my power strip.....
    By Sir Patrick in forum Hardware
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 02-04-2011, 10:52 PM
  4. Natural Wave power strip
    By Tom@HaslettMI in forum Equipment Sales & Trades
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 07-29-2010, 09:20 PM
  5. Lighting Schematic Diagrams for LED Moonlight Strip
    By w7afm in forum Hardware
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 02-20-2007, 02:14 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

About CaptiveReefs

    If you are interested in learning about reefkeeping or have a problem with your reef, our reefkeeping community is here to help. Feel free to ask a question or search our site. We have lots of experienced reefkeepers that are willing to provide free reefkeeping advice!

    Besides being a great resource for all levels of reef aquarium hobbyists, CaptiveReefs is a social experience that will enhance your enjoyment of reefkeeping. CaptiveReefs is committed to connecting reefkeepers with the support and information they need to grow beautiful coral reef aquariums.

Information

Connect with Us