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.
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!
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.
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
T5 + LED DIY Fixture
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