Supplementing CF fixture with LEDs

souperman · 02/23/2011, 06:49 PM

Trying to repost this in here, I had no response in the Equipment section.

I currently have a 48" fixture with two 50/50 65W CF lights. I am in the middle of converting the 40G long tank this light is on to a reef setup. My LFS said with some fresh bulbs this fixture would be OK for softies. My question is that if put some 10K bulbs in the fixture then added a 12 Royal Blue LED kit from RapidLED, would I be ready for more demanding corals? My idea was to attach the heatsink w/LEDs right along side the CF bulbs.

I know my exact results might vary but an educated guess by the more experienced members is all I'm looking for here.

dirland · 02/23/2011, 08:10 PM

I am not an expert but, If you want to keep SPS it dosnt seem like it is going to be enough light. If you did six blues and 6 whites you may get better results, or even 6 blues and 12 whites. The whites get better light and you can add optics to direct the light better.

souperman · 02/23/2011, 08:57 PM

Maybe I should stick with 50/50 CF bulbs and do 12 all white Leds? I don't think I could fit more then 12 leds on the cf fixture. I guess at that point id be scrapping the fixture and starting over...

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souperman · 02/23/2011, 09:12 PM

Oops double post

breiter3 · 02/23/2011, 09:41 PM

I really don't think 12 LEDs are going to make much difference in the end, especially not the actinic ones. You'd probably be better off saving up for a new fixture and sticking with softies in the mean time.

Chris27 · 02/23/2011, 11:29 PM

Given that it's a shallow tank, a 12 Blue LED supplementation will most likely work if you use 10000K bulbs in the PC slots. You'll want to get the most out of the LED's though, so don't skimp on the emmiters or drivers.

souperman · 02/24/2011, 11:17 AM

I could squeeze 18 leds in it I think. 12 royal blue and 6 white with 10k cf bulbs.

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chimmike · 02/24/2011, 11:19 AM

for the money you'd spend on setting that up properly, you're better off just getting a good fixture and ditching the CF.

souperman · 02/26/2011, 12:48 PM

I can get 18 leds and a few drivers from rapidled for around 150 bucks. Some scrap aluminum from work and I'd be set. I haven't seen anything ready made for close to that price that would do the job.

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02/23/2011, 06:49 PM	#1
souperman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 262	Supplementing CF fixture with LEDs Trying to repost this in here, I had no response in the Equipment section. I currently have a 48" fixture with two 50/50 65W CF lights. I am in the middle of converting the 40G long tank this light is on to a reef setup. My LFS said with some fresh bulbs this fixture would be OK for softies. My question is that if put some 10K bulbs in the fixture then added a 12 Royal Blue LED kit from RapidLED, would I be ready for more demanding corals? My idea was to attach the heatsink w/LEDs right along side the CF bulbs. I know my exact results might vary but an educated guess by the more experienced members is all I'm looking for here.

02/23/2011, 08:57 PM	#3
souperman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 262	Maybe I should stick with 50/50 CF bulbs and do 12 all white Leds? I don't think I could fit more then 12 leds on the cf fixture. I guess at that point id be scrapping the fixture and starting over... Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk __________________ No.

02/23/2011, 09:12 PM	#4
souperman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 262	Oops double post __________________ No.

02/24/2011, 11:17 AM	#7
souperman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 262	I could squeeze 18 leds in it I think. 12 royal blue and 6 white with 10k cf bulbs. Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk __________________ No.

02/24/2011, 11:19 AM	#8
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	for the money you'd spend on setting that up properly, you're better off just getting a good fixture and ditching the CF. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

02/23/2011, 08:10 PM	#2
dirland Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Livonia Posts: 101	I am not an expert but, If you want to keep SPS it dosnt seem like it is going to be enough light. If you did six blues and 6 whites you may get better results, or even 6 blues and 12 whites. The whites get better light and you can add optics to direct the light better.

02/23/2011, 09:41 PM	#5
breiter3 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 98	I really don't think 12 LEDs are going to make much difference in the end, especially not the actinic ones. You'd probably be better off saving up for a new fixture and sticking with softies in the mean time.

02/23/2011, 11:29 PM	#6
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	Given that it's a shallow tank, a 12 Blue LED supplementation will most likely work if you use 10000K bulbs in the PC slots. You'll want to get the most out of the LED's though, so don't skimp on the emmiters or drivers.

02/26/2011, 12:48 PM	#9
souperman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 262	I can get 18 leds and a few drivers from rapidled for around 150 bucks. Some scrap aluminum from work and I'd be set. I haven't seen anything ready made for close to that price that would do the job. Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk __________________ No.

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