T5 + LED DIY Fixture

[Poseidon]

I am starting a new reef, this one will be 36x18x22, (the height is yet to be determined) and I am thinking that a hybrid set up using what I have and LED would be a good choice.

A few years ago I made this:
My current DIY project x3 NEW

I was thinking of doing something similar but this time I was going to use T5 and LED. My question has most to do with cooling, as most of the LED fixtures use a larger MASS of Aluminum, as a heat sink, and I am thinking of using a larger thin sheet actively cooled by fans. As thermal dynamics is not something on my current resume I wanted to ask those that would know.

So how does a heat sink that weighs X with the dimension of 12"x6"X2" differ from a sheet of aluminum that also weighs X but has a dimension of 36"x24"x0.050" in cooling potential.

3 T5 bulbs, Aquablue Special x2 and Blue Plus and 2 rows of Blue LED.

I am woefully illiterate in the language of LED drivers, bulbs (emitters), and acronyms. So if anyone has a handy guide to LED nomenclature that would be great!

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I'm running a T5 x LED hybrid and like it. I'm not well versed in the LED electronics or aluminum thermal dynamics so I can't help you there. I got my LEDs from LEDgroupbuy.com and really like the LED drivers they sell and the customer service is second to none.

Personally I would not mess around with aluminum sheets... get some heatsinks from heatsinksusa.com or keep an eye on the forums for someone offloading used ones.

Tom

[Chris]

I agree w/ Tom, I wouldnt risk it with trying to do the sheet. Not that it couldn't be done but I think you might get more heat transferring from the t'5s as well which would increase the heat of the leds if they are attached to the same piece of aluminum..... If you did decide to go this route, I would definitely throw a few extra fans on it and get something that can monitor the heat of the heatsink above the leds as well (like a Reef Angel controller, mine has 3 ports for different temperature probes )

[Poseidon]

Thanks guys, I won't do anything crazy. I'll have math to back up my plan once I get started that is for sure... Working at a bank will do that to you! LOL