How many LED's

grafspee1217 · 03/03/2012, 03:32 PM

Hi everyone,
I am planning my DIY LED for my new tank. I was going to go with reefledlights.com

My tank is 20x18 24 high. I have a canopy where I can mount the fixture. I originally intended to go with the 24 LED kit then decided to go with the 30 LED kit instead. These are the Cree 3 watt XP-E LED's. Do you think this will be sufficient? I intended to start out with a mixed reef and maybe get some of the easier SPS corals later.
Thanks

katchupoy · 03/03/2012, 04:02 PM

sent you pm.when done reading. Post question here.

grafspee1217 · 03/03/2012, 05:23 PM

Kathupoy, I got your pm but it didnt say what to read.

chet-tonja · 03/03/2012, 05:31 PM

Just tagging along. I'm going with a 50 or 65 gallon myself here soon. Thanks

katchupoy · 03/03/2012, 06:03 PM

Hmmm sorry about that.

Try this...
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1952442

and or this,
https://sites.google.com/site/caddni...-linear-design

On how many....
I think its on page 4 post no. 58.

Note: that those numbers are based on a specific brand of LED used in my case they are the CREE ones. Here is a very simple calculator I made.

grafspee1217 · 03/03/2012, 08:51 PM

Thanks katchupoy, hmmm the calculator recommends 24 LED's for my size tank. I was leaning towards 30. The calculator doesnt take into account the height. I wonder if 24" is considered deep.

katchupoy · 03/03/2012, 10:45 PM

Yes you are correct about the height. I still think 24 is enough. 30 is good with 60-90 optics. If you can incorporate a knob or potentiometer, so that you can manually control intensity, so that you dont accidentally burn your corals.

Here is a diagram. This one is using a regulated 12 volts on meanwell dimmable drivers. Just ignore the arduino side or controller side.

03/03/2012, 03:32 PM	#1
grafspee1217 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 39	How many LED's Hi everyone, I am planning my DIY LED for my new tank. I was going to go with reefledlights.com My tank is 20x18 24 high. I have a canopy where I can mount the fixture. I originally intended to go with the 24 LED kit then decided to go with the 30 LED kit instead. These are the Cree 3 watt XP-E LED's. Do you think this will be sufficient? I intended to start out with a mixed reef and maybe get some of the easier SPS corals later. Thanks

03/03/2012, 04:02 PM	#2
katchupoy Moved On Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 1,548	sent you pm.when done reading. Post question here.

03/03/2012, 05:23 PM	#3
grafspee1217 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 39	Kathupoy, I got your pm but it didnt say what to read.

03/03/2012, 05:31 PM	#4
chet-tonja Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Indiana Posts: 795	Just tagging along. I'm going with a 50 or 65 gallon myself here soon. Thanks

03/03/2012, 06:03 PM	#5
katchupoy Moved On Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 1,548	Hmmm sorry about that. Try this... http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1952442 and or this, https://sites.google.com/site/caddni...-linear-design On how many.... I think its on page 4 post no. 58. Note: that those numbers are based on a specific brand of LED used in my case they are the CREE ones. Here is a very simple calculator I made.

03/03/2012, 08:51 PM	#6
grafspee1217 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 39	Thanks katchupoy, hmmm the calculator recommends 24 LED's for my size tank. I was leaning towards 30. The calculator doesnt take into account the height. I wonder if 24" is considered deep.

03/03/2012, 10:45 PM	#7
katchupoy Moved On Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 1,548	Yes you are correct about the height. I still think 24 is enough. 30 is good with 60-90 optics. If you can incorporate a knob or potentiometer, so that you can manually control intensity, so that you dont accidentally burn your corals. Here is a diagram. This one is using a regulated 12 volts on meanwell dimmable drivers. Just ignore the arduino side or controller side.