Lighting help.

Feltman · 12/23/2013, 10:43 PM

I bought a pre existing tank with a custom led lighting fixture. As I'm new to both led fixtures and the hobby in general I was hopping someone could tell me what I have. The led lights are split into 2 plugs the blue lights which have 8 rapid led cre blue and 4 violet c35-Vx v- LEDs powered by a lpc-35-700 and the day lights wich are 12 rapid led cre blue lights and 8 white lights split between 2 lpc-60-1400 also there is a 48 inch t5ho running dual 54w blue plus bulbs. Is there any way to tell more about the LEDs then just what's written on em which is all I currently have. Also will this setup keep corals. If so what should the 3 timers be set at. Also I am having algae issues could these lights be contributing to that? Thx for any help.

whosurcaddie · 12/23/2013, 11:26 PM

Well how large is the tank? How deep is it?

Feltman · 12/24/2013, 08:09 AM

Sorry was focusing on the lights. It's a 90 gallon with built in overflow dimensions 48" x 18" x 24" and the lights only sit about 3 inches above the water with a piece of 1/8 " acrylic between acting as both a lid and splash guard.

Feltman · 12/25/2013, 04:10 AM

Well I didn't buy the tank for the lighting system. I realize I don't have enough info here, but seeing how you like to run your mouth maybe you could use it to help me get the info.... How do I go about finding out more about these LEDs the info I provided is all the txt on the LEDs themselves.

StevieD · 12/25/2013, 05:46 AM

Try rapidled.com... HTH

Saltliquid · 12/25/2013, 06:06 AM

You didn't mention the optics, that dictates everything that the lights are capable of once the water is deeper then 15 inches!

Mark Bianco · 12/25/2013, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feltman

I bought a pre existing tank with a custom led lighting fixture. As I'm new to both led fixtures and the hobby in general I was hopping someone could tell me what I have. The led lights are split into 2 plugs the blue lights which have 8 rapid led cre blue and 4 violet c35-Vx v- LEDs powered by a lpc-35-700 and the day lights wich are 12 rapid led cre blue lights and 8 white lights split between 2 lpc-60-1400 also there is a 48 inch t5ho running dual 54w blue plus bulbs. Is there any way to tell more about the LEDs then just what's written on em which is all I currently have. Also will this setup keep corals. If so what should the 3 timers be set at. Also I am having algae issues could these lights be contributing to that? Thx for any help.

Unfortunately other then what's listed it would be almost impossible to tell any more information, but from the information listed they should be just fine keeping corals.

Algae although it can be made worse by bad lighting Do you know how old the T5 bulbs are? general rule of thumb is replace them about every 9 months to a year. Direct sunlight shinning on your tank will also promote algae, but the number one factor is high phosphates. I suggest buying a phosphate test kit and if needed take steps to reduce the level.

IMHO I would suggest the follow lighting period of 10 total hours to start. Turn on the t5's first for about and hour, then turn on the other lights for 9 hours, after the t5's will run for the last hour.

Hope that helps and welcome to the addiction my friend.

Mark

Feltman · 12/25/2013, 08:44 AM

The rapid led website helped out a lot the first half is 8 of these http://www.rapidled.com/cree-xp-e-blue-3w-led-on-star/ and 4 of these http://www.rapidled.com/violet-uv-led/ powered by this driver http://www.rapidled.com/mean-well-lp...urrent-driver/
the second half is 12 of these http://www.rapidled.com/cree-xt-e-royal-blue-led-1/ and 8 white LEDS that I cant find ive included pictures of these as they don't appear anywere on rapidleds website. this half is powered by 2 lpc-60-1400 drivers which also don't show up on this website. any help identifying the white leds would be helpful, I do know they are redicously bright.
As far as timing you say t5s an hour then both halfs of the LEDS as they both have independent plugs and timers I could run them separate, would this be beneficial at all?
The guy I bought it from claims the t5s were just changed...
I do have a reef master API test kit for phosphates and have not had anything register but Ive read that could be because the algea takes it out before you can read it.. so ive added 5 half units of chemi pure elite to see how this does... also I have a 6 line wrase, tomato clown pajama cardinal 10 turbo snails and 8 red leg hermits how much should I be feeding these guys ive been doin 1 cube of Mysis or brine shimp a day.. is this to much?
Thanks for any help..

Feltman · 12/25/2013, 08:51 AM

Heres also pictures of the drivers and whole unit. the driver board has terminal blocks and a slot for another driver as well as the unit came with another empty channel. The t5s are currently sitting in the empty spot.

Mark Bianco · 12/25/2013, 09:53 AM

How this lighting setup was probably set up at first was without the t5's but as many reefers led's leave a little to be desired as far as color to our eyes, so we end up supplementing them with t5's either way you want to schedule your lights its up to you Instead of as suggested you wanted to use the blue and violet string first then the whites and t5's, its up to you. I would start with the least bright whether it,s the t5's or the blue / violet then turn on the whites.

"I do know they are redicously bright." Being as you have no way to dim these you can always cover the top of the tank with some screening maybe a layer or two, if you feel the need to dim them. Especially when you start introducing corals until they get use to the lighting, Your only other option would be to replace the drivers with dimmable drivers then you could adjust the intensity to your liking.

Feeding; The way I look at it is like this. How much do you eat in a day? How many times bigger are you then the fish? Now divide your portion by that amount. Let the snails and crabs do their job cleaning up your tank do not feed to accommodate them. I would say one half cube day would be sufficient. However and it only a suggestion feed Mysis or brine only every other day and on the other days feed some good pellets that way they get a good variety.

whosurcaddie · 12/25/2013, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feltman

Well I didn't buy the tank for the lighting system. I realize I don't have enough info here, but seeing how you like to run your mouth maybe you could use it to help me get the info.... How do I go about finding out more about these LEDs the info I provided is all the txt on the LEDs themselves.

Man I'm really sorry I wasnt able to be at your beck and call on christmas eve. I didnt realize I was running my mouth seeing as I only have just over 100 posts since 2006.

Feltman · 12/25/2013, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whosurcaddie

Man I'm really sorry I wasnt able to be at your beck and call on christmas eve. I didnt realize I was running my mouth seeing as I only have just over 100 posts since 2006.

Nah it wasn't you reefpro said something else he deleted his post after I said that. Thank you for the help whosurcaddie

whosurcaddie · 12/25/2013, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feltman

Nah it wasn't you reefpro said something else he deleted his post after I said that. Thank you for the help whosurcaddie

Ah no problems then good luck on the tank.

Feltman · 12/26/2013, 09:15 AM

Back to the issue at hand. Does anyone have any idea what the white LEDs are or possibly at least a brand name. I do apologize for the quality of the picture. However it's good enough to see the led itself is much larger then any of the white LEDs on the rapid LEDs website.

DolphinzFan · 12/26/2013, 09:55 AM

From what I see it looks like it all came from Rapid Led. Here are links matching what looks like you have.

http://www.rapidled.com/dimmable-drivers/

http://www.rapidled.com/white-leds/

12/23/2013, 10:43 PM	#1
Feltman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 22	Lighting help. I bought a pre existing tank with a custom led lighting fixture. As I'm new to both led fixtures and the hobby in general I was hopping someone could tell me what I have. The led lights are split into 2 plugs the blue lights which have 8 rapid led cre blue and 4 violet c35-Vx v- LEDs powered by a lpc-35-700 and the day lights wich are 12 rapid led cre blue lights and 8 white lights split between 2 lpc-60-1400 also there is a 48 inch t5ho running dual 54w blue plus bulbs. Is there any way to tell more about the LEDs then just what's written on em which is all I currently have. Also will this setup keep corals. If so what should the 3 timers be set at. Also I am having algae issues could these lights be contributing to that? Thx for any help.

12/25/2013, 05:46 AM	#5
StevieD Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Sylvania, Oh Posts: 391	Try rapidled.com... HTH __________________ "It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong." Current Tank Info: 40B Tank, 29G sump, ProClear Aquatics skimmer (way oversized), Coralife 2 bulb light w/3 LED's....Exciting I know lol

12/26/2013, 09:55 AM	#15
DolphinzFan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gillespie, Illinois Posts: 147	From what I see it looks like it all came from Rapid Led. Here are links matching what looks like you have. http://www.rapidled.com/dimmable-drivers/ http://www.rapidled.com/white-leds/ __________________ Current Tank Info: 180 gal tank, 75 GL Sump, PSK150 Skimmer, Custom Stand,MP10, 3 - Ecotech Radions, Full Apex aquacontroller.

12/23/2013, 11:26 PM	#2
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	Well how large is the tank? How deep is it?

12/24/2013, 08:09 AM	#3
Feltman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 22	Sorry was focusing on the lights. It's a 90 gallon with built in overflow dimensions 48" x 18" x 24" and the lights only sit about 3 inches above the water with a piece of 1/8 " acrylic between acting as both a lid and splash guard.

12/25/2013, 04:10 AM	#4
Feltman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 22	Well I didn't buy the tank for the lighting system. I realize I don't have enough info here, but seeing how you like to run your mouth maybe you could use it to help me get the info.... How do I go about finding out more about these LEDs the info I provided is all the txt on the LEDs themselves.

12/25/2013, 06:06 AM	#6
Saltliquid Registered Member. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 911	You didn't mention the optics, that dictates everything that the lights are capable of once the water is deeper then 15 inches!

12/25/2013, 09:53 AM	#10
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	How this lighting setup was probably set up at first was without the t5's but as many reefers led's leave a little to be desired as far as color to our eyes, so we end up supplementing them with t5's either way you want to schedule your lights its up to you Instead of as suggested you wanted to use the blue and violet string first then the whites and t5's, its up to you. I would start with the least bright whether it,s the t5's or the blue / violet then turn on the whites. "I do know they are redicously bright." Being as you have no way to dim these you can always cover the top of the tank with some screening maybe a layer or two, if you feel the need to dim them. Especially when you start introducing corals until they get use to the lighting, Your only other option would be to replace the drivers with dimmable drivers then you could adjust the intensity to your liking. Feeding; The way I look at it is like this. How much do you eat in a day? How many times bigger are you then the fish? Now divide your portion by that amount. Let the snails and crabs do their job cleaning up your tank do not feed to accommodate them. I would say one half cube day would be sufficient. However and it only a suggestion feed Mysis or brine only every other day and on the other days feed some good pellets that way they get a good variety.

12/26/2013, 09:15 AM	#14
Feltman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 22	Back to the issue at hand. Does anyone have any idea what the white LEDs are or possibly at least a brand name. I do apologize for the quality of the picture. However it's good enough to see the led itself is much larger then any of the white LEDs on the rapid LEDs website.