Help with led build

mcghee33 · 06/30/2012, 11:03 PM

I am getting ready to build an led fixture for my 75 gallon reef tank. I decided to go with 72 bridgelux due to the crazy mark up on Crees. But what I cannot decide on is whether I want to just go 48 blue and 24 whites? Or if I want to mix in some uv or even green LEDs? Can any of you who have led fixtures or even better knowledge of LEDs let me know what their experience has been like with or without uv or different colored LEDs on their set up? I understand that green certainly will only help with the look of certain pigments in corals but doesn't aid at all in growth and that uv can help a little but I am just not sure if it is worth it.

mcghee33 · 07/01/2012, 01:52 PM

Can anyone share what their led set up includes and if they would have done anything different? Just trying to get as many things right the first time as I can.

pwreef · 07/01/2012, 02:00 PM

Crazy mark up on Cree? You can get XT-E for 2.50 and 3 from steveleds or cutter. Green has some aesthetic appeal, but you need to make sure you balance it with red and blue.

bhazard451 · 07/01/2012, 02:19 PM

I'm doing a mixed Cree/Luxeon retrofit into my chinese fixture.

Steve's leds has the best prices on XT-E blue Cree's and Luxeons that I've found. I'm doing 48 leds with optics.

24 Cree XT-E Royal Blue @ 1300mah (2x Meanwell ELN-60-48D)
6 Cool White, 3 Neutral White, 3 Warm White XT-E @ 1300mah (Meanwell ELN-60-48D)
2 Deep Red, 2 Cyan, 2 Green, 2 Blue Luxeons, 6 True Violets @ 630mah (Meanwell ELN-30-48D)

My chinese fixture had 1:1 CW:RB originally w bridgelux leds. It gives a 10k look and looks nice and bright, but some colors don't pop. 2:1 RB:CW gives a 14k Phoenix look.

I'm temporarily using a bridgelux fixture with red, green, multiple whites, and uv added, and my fire shrimp, zoas, and clowns really pop in color.

The Cree\Luxeon retrofit will look like the bridgelux one on steroids.

06/30/2012, 11:03 PM	#1
mcghee33 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 64	Help with led build I am getting ready to build an led fixture for my 75 gallon reef tank. I decided to go with 72 bridgelux due to the crazy mark up on Crees. But what I cannot decide on is whether I want to just go 48 blue and 24 whites? Or if I want to mix in some uv or even green LEDs? Can any of you who have led fixtures or even better knowledge of LEDs let me know what their experience has been like with or without uv or different colored LEDs on their set up? I understand that green certainly will only help with the look of certain pigments in corals but doesn't aid at all in growth and that uv can help a little but I am just not sure if it is worth it.

07/01/2012, 02:00 PM	#3
pwreef Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New York Posts: 585	Crazy mark up on Cree? You can get XT-E for 2.50 and 3 from steveleds or cutter. Green has some aesthetic appeal, but you need to make sure you balance it with red and blue. __________________ Since May 2011: OLD: 57G rimless NOW: ELOS 120, DIY LED using reefll.com 12-up boards

07/01/2012, 01:52 PM	#2
mcghee33 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 64	Can anyone share what their led set up includes and if they would have done anything different? Just trying to get as many things right the first time as I can.

07/01/2012, 02:19 PM	#4
bhazard451 Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1,900	I'm doing a mixed Cree/Luxeon retrofit into my chinese fixture. Steve's leds has the best prices on XT-E blue Cree's and Luxeons that I've found. I'm doing 48 leds with optics. 24 Cree XT-E Royal Blue @ 1300mah (2x Meanwell ELN-60-48D) 6 Cool White, 3 Neutral White, 3 Warm White XT-E @ 1300mah (Meanwell ELN-60-48D) 2 Deep Red, 2 Cyan, 2 Green, 2 Blue Luxeons, 6 True Violets @ 630mah (Meanwell ELN-30-48D) My chinese fixture had 1:1 CW:RB originally w bridgelux leds. It gives a 10k look and looks nice and bright, but some colors don't pop. 2:1 RB:CW gives a 14k Phoenix look. I'm temporarily using a bridgelux fixture with red, green, multiple whites, and uv added, and my fire shrimp, zoas, and clowns really pop in color. The Cree\Luxeon retrofit will look like the bridgelux one on steroids.