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LED Upgrade


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  1. #1
    ETBReefer05 - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
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    Romeo, MI
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    272
    First Name
    Eric

    Default LED Upgrade

    Hey Evil,
    I would just like some advice on setting up an LED lighting system on my 60 gallon (36LX21.5Hx18D). I was planning on around 48 LEDs with 40 degree optics and would like to have a fully dimmable dawn to daylight to dusk effect. Also, i am currently using T5s and love my Fiji Purple bulb, what would be a suitable LED alternative to this spectrum bulb? Basically what I'm looking for is your recommended brand and model of LEDs and Drivers to achieve my desired setup. Thank You
    "You're gonna need a bigger boat..."-Roy Scheider as "Chief Brody" in "Jaws"

    Ask 10 Reefers a question and you'll get 12 opinions in return.

    ---ETBReefer05

  2. #2
    XSiVE - Reefkeeper
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    Jul 2010
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    Waterford
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    Ryan
    Awards Monthly Giveaway Winner

    Default

    again, while im not evil, I would suggest against 40 deg optics on that type of setup.. you're going to end up with quite a bit of spotlighting even if you space them pretty wide, you will need to place the fixture over 18" above the tank to get good color blending.

  3. #3
    ETBReefer05 - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    Jun 2010
    Location
    Romeo, MI
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    Eric

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by XSiVE View Post
    again, while im not evil, I would suggest against 40 deg optics on that type of setup.. you're going to end up with quite a bit of spotlighting even if you space them pretty wide, you will need to place the fixture over 18" above the tank to get good color blending.
    Yeah, sorry, its been a while since we talked about this. I couldn't remember all the details. Thanks
    "You're gonna need a bigger boat..."-Roy Scheider as "Chief Brody" in "Jaws"

    Ask 10 Reefers a question and you'll get 12 opinions in return.

    ---ETBReefer05

  4. #4
    XSiVE - Reefkeeper
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    Waterford
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    Ryan
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    Default

    boy that didnt make a ton of sense... this is what I get for posting while drinking. base of the point, you probably wont want 40 deg optics.

  5. #5
    ETBReefer05 - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
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    Romeo, MI
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    272
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    Eric

    Default

    I got that much out of it
    "You're gonna need a bigger boat..."-Roy Scheider as "Chief Brody" in "Jaws"

    Ask 10 Reefers a question and you'll get 12 opinions in return.

    ---ETBReefer05

  6. #6
    evilc66 - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Shelby Twp. MI
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    Default

    I agree with XSiVE about the optics. 40 is too tight. If you needed them at all, 60 would be as tight as I'd go. If you are doing a mixed tank, you could get away without using optics at all.

    As for the number of LEDs you would need, at a minimum 36, in a 12x3 array. Meanwell ELN "D" drivers are about as easy as it gets with the least amount of parts. To get more of a Fiji Purple look, you would have to use warmer white LEDs. I advise against red LEDs as they can be extremely distracting.

  7. #7
    ETBReefer05 - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    Jun 2010
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    Romeo, MI
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    Eric

    Default

    Something like the Neutral White Cree XR-E Star LEDs?
    "You're gonna need a bigger boat..."-Roy Scheider as "Chief Brody" in "Jaws"

    Ask 10 Reefers a question and you'll get 12 opinions in return.

    ---ETBReefer05

  8. #8
    XSiVE - Reefkeeper
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    Waterford
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    Ryan
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    if you're going to head toward neutral whites, you wont want to go with a 1:1 ratio of white to blue... you will probably want in the range of 1:1.5 or 1:2 but that's getting into personal preference.

    also, dont bother looking for neutral whites in xr series, look at xp.

  9. #9
    ETBReefer05 - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
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    Romeo, MI
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    Eric

    Default

    Hmmm, so far I've only been able to find cool white in the XP series. Looked on rapidled.com and ledsupply.com
    "You're gonna need a bigger boat..."-Roy Scheider as "Chief Brody" in "Jaws"

    Ask 10 Reefers a question and you'll get 12 opinions in return.

    ---ETBReefer05

  10. #10
    evilc66 - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    Jan 2010
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    Shelby Twp. MI
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    Default

    Yes, neutral white would be an option. Warm white to me is much too red, but it does bring out certain colors differently.

    There is nothing wrong with XR-E neutrals. Sure, XP-G neutral have higher output, but XR-Es are still a viable option, and cheaper than the XP-Gs. Also easier to find. We (Nanotuners/Nanocustoms, a sponsor here), have neutral white XR-Es in stock, but should have XP-G neutrals soon (don't know the exact date). If you aren't going to use dimmable drivers, you will need to bias the ratio more towards blue. Stick with 1:1 if you use dimmable.

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