Help on finding an LED DIY

sponger0 · 06/06/2012, 07:04 AM

Im considering going LEDs with my next setup. It will be a 90 gallon SPS dominated tank.

I know to use 3w CREE LEDs and that I want them dimmable. But I dont know how many and so on.

Also am wanting to use white, red and blue(actinic) LEDs...

Any recommendations would be appreciated. Im just not sure what would be enough and never really been able to find an answer to how many for a tank.

jayjigga · 06/06/2012, 12:18 PM

I would start by asking the 2 sponsors that sell crees what their recommendations are. Also, those questions have been asked on their threads, so you'll be able to see what they've previously recommended.

I have a 90G in the making and will keep a mixed tank. I've got a couple different layouts, but anywhere between 60-80 leds, depending on the color and control I'm going for. With the 3 colors you're looking to do, it shouldn't be too difficult to figure out how many drivers you'll need and the layout. I wouldn't use more than 80ish leds though, because you'll dim them so low that it'll be overkill. Maybe look at a string of XM-L's if $ isn't a deciding factor.

sponger0 · 06/06/2012, 12:32 PM

Im sticking with DIY so no strips.

Also...Ive read and read and read...and the amount of LEDs I can never figure out. How many is too much...doesnt say. How many is too many...doesnt say.

dunc101 · 06/06/2012, 02:06 PM

You can ask on the RapidLED forum. FWIW, however, I also have a SPS dominant system. Mike at rapidLED suggested 48-56 LED's with 80 degree optics at 8-10 inches and 60 degree optics > 10 inches. I built mine with 72 leds because I got a great deal from a friend on a 24 led set, otherwise I would've done just 56

Donkeykong · 06/06/2012, 02:18 PM

There are huge threads that go to excruciating detail on how to do this. But it really comes down to personal preference. If you are looking for a statement like "use 5 blue 5royal blue....blah blah blah" what I would do is look up those threads and find a user with a tank similar size as your that you think looks good and ask him/her exactly what they used. Then you can use that as a basic template. I know that doesnt exactly answer your question but it is really the best advice I can give you.

sponger0 · 06/06/2012, 02:49 PM

Thats the main reason I avoid LEDs.....I was considering it but being its so difficult for anyone to tell you what to get ....Ill just stick with T5s then

dunc101 · 06/06/2012, 03:07 PM

I do not believe it is very difficult. If anything I find it very customizable =). For a 14k look about 3 blues to 2 whites. For a 20k look 2-3 blues to 1 white.
To get a full spectrum, it seems most are using Royal Blue, blue, neutral white, cool white and UV (420nm). You may also want some cyan and maybe green. Most seem to be avoiding the reds now as it's color range is ideal for algaes. I personally haven't had an issue with the 2 I have, however.
For the blues, it is very common for a 2 royal blue to every 1 blue.
The whites 1 CW to every 1 NW or 2 CW to every 1 NW.
For 56-60 LED's, 8 or so UV's seem appropriate.
Therefore, you may consider 8 UV's and 4 cyans on 1 driver.

My current setup consists of 72 LED's.
I have
4 UV
2 Red
24 royal blue
12 blue
15 CW
15 NW

With them all at 100%, it looks more around 10k-12k.

sponger0 · 06/06/2012, 03:26 PM

And thats for what size tank?

And Ill still go with reds as you dont get red and orange colors pop out without red lighting

dunc101 · 06/06/2012, 03:28 PM

90 gallon. Neutral Whites have a 'touch of red' with them which is what many seem to be using instead of reds.

sponger0 · 06/06/2012, 03:29 PM

Touch of red is not what Im looking for. Red is a very prominent color in my coral choices.

joelespinoza · 06/06/2012, 06:02 PM

A 90 gallon tank is 48" x 18" x 24", the rule of thumb is 1 "high quality" 3w led per 15-20 square inches of tank surface area up to 24" deep. 15 is supposed to be high light, capable of growing anything, and 20 is more like medium high light.

48 x 18 = 864, 864/15 = 57.6, 864/20 = 43.2 So you should be looking for about 45-60 LEDs with probably about 60 degree optics depending on how high you hang the lights.

Your brand and color choices are certainly up to you, however I will tell you that right now I am really liking my Phillips Luxeon LEDs I got from stevesleds.com, if I was you I would at least go check out his site.

No one can tell you what colors you think will look best with your tank and your corals, only you can decide that. However, I think one of the biggest problems people run into with DIY LEDs is trying to do them all at once. If I was you I would go to stevesleds and buy 30 Luxeon or Cree Royal blues (they are both $2.99 each), and also get 15 of his 2700k Luxeon warm whites. Get those setup and hung over the tank and see how you like it, then from there you have room for 15 more LEDs to either tone the color how you like or just add more of the same if you like the color the way it is.

The Luxeon 2700 warm whites sound to me like the best bet for you since they have an incredibly high CRI (95) and are very warm so your reds will really have a nice pop.

06/06/2012, 07:04 AM	#1
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Help on finding an LED DIY Im considering going LEDs with my next setup. It will be a 90 gallon SPS dominated tank. I know to use 3w CREE LEDs and that I want them dimmable. But I dont know how many and so on. Also am wanting to use white, red and blue(actinic) LEDs... Any recommendations would be appreciated. Im just not sure what would be enough and never really been able to find an answer to how many for a tank.

06/06/2012, 12:18 PM	#2
jayjigga Registered Member. Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,114	I would start by asking the 2 sponsors that sell crees what their recommendations are. Also, those questions have been asked on their threads, so you'll be able to see what they've previously recommended. I have a 90G in the making and will keep a mixed tank. I've got a couple different layouts, but anywhere between 60-80 leds, depending on the color and control I'm going for. With the 3 colors you're looking to do, it shouldn't be too difficult to figure out how many drivers you'll need and the layout. I wouldn't use more than 80ish leds though, because you'll dim them so low that it'll be overkill. Maybe look at a string of XM-L's if $ isn't a deciding factor.

06/06/2012, 12:32 PM	#3
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Im sticking with DIY so no strips. Also...Ive read and read and read...and the amount of LEDs I can never figure out. How many is too much...doesnt say. How many is too many...doesnt say.

06/06/2012, 02:06 PM	#4
dunc101 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 758	You can ask on the RapidLED forum. FWIW, however, I also have a SPS dominant system. Mike at rapidLED suggested 48-56 LED's with 80 degree optics at 8-10 inches and 60 degree optics > 10 inches. I built mine with 72 leds because I got a great deal from a friend on a 24 led set, otherwise I would've done just 56

06/06/2012, 02:18 PM	#5
Donkeykong Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grover Beach CA Posts: 1,847	There are huge threads that go to excruciating detail on how to do this. But it really comes down to personal preference. If you are looking for a statement like "use 5 blue 5royal blue....blah blah blah" what I would do is look up those threads and find a user with a tank similar size as your that you think looks good and ask him/her exactly what they used. Then you can use that as a basic template. I know that doesnt exactly answer your question but it is really the best advice I can give you.

06/06/2012, 02:49 PM	#6
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Thats the main reason I avoid LEDs.....I was considering it but being its so difficult for anyone to tell you what to get ....Ill just stick with T5s then

06/06/2012, 03:07 PM	#7
dunc101 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 758	I do not believe it is very difficult. If anything I find it very customizable =). For a 14k look about 3 blues to 2 whites. For a 20k look 2-3 blues to 1 white. To get a full spectrum, it seems most are using Royal Blue, blue, neutral white, cool white and UV (420nm). You may also want some cyan and maybe green. Most seem to be avoiding the reds now as it's color range is ideal for algaes. I personally haven't had an issue with the 2 I have, however. For the blues, it is very common for a 2 royal blue to every 1 blue. The whites 1 CW to every 1 NW or 2 CW to every 1 NW. For 56-60 LED's, 8 or so UV's seem appropriate. Therefore, you may consider 8 UV's and 4 cyans on 1 driver. My current setup consists of 72 LED's. I have 4 UV 2 Red 24 royal blue 12 blue 15 CW 15 NW With them all at 100%, it looks more around 10k-12k.

06/06/2012, 03:26 PM	#8
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	And thats for what size tank? And Ill still go with reds as you dont get red and orange colors pop out without red lighting

06/06/2012, 03:28 PM	#9
dunc101 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 758	90 gallon. Neutral Whites have a 'touch of red' with them which is what many seem to be using instead of reds.

06/06/2012, 03:29 PM	#10
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Touch of red is not what Im looking for. Red is a very prominent color in my coral choices.

06/06/2012, 06:02 PM	#11
joelespinoza Moved On Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Galveston Posts: 417	A 90 gallon tank is 48" x 18" x 24", the rule of thumb is 1 "high quality" 3w led per 15-20 square inches of tank surface area up to 24" deep. 15 is supposed to be high light, capable of growing anything, and 20 is more like medium high light. 48 x 18 = 864, 864/15 = 57.6, 864/20 = 43.2 So you should be looking for about 45-60 LEDs with probably about 60 degree optics depending on how high you hang the lights. Your brand and color choices are certainly up to you, however I will tell you that right now I am really liking my Phillips Luxeon LEDs I got from stevesleds.com, if I was you I would at least go check out his site. No one can tell you what colors you think will look best with your tank and your corals, only you can decide that. However, I think one of the biggest problems people run into with DIY LEDs is trying to do them all at once. If I was you I would go to stevesleds and buy 30 Luxeon or Cree Royal blues (they are both $2.99 each), and also get 15 of his 2700k Luxeon warm whites. Get those setup and hung over the tank and see how you like it, then from there you have room for 15 more LEDs to either tone the color how you like or just add more of the same if you like the color the way it is. The Luxeon 2700 warm whites sound to me like the best bet for you since they have an incredibly high CRI (95) and are very warm so your reds will really have a nice pop.