LED requirements for shallow pico

TriunfoT · 11/15/2013, 05:50 PM

Hi Everyone,

I have been lurking around RC for awhile now soaking up lots of good information. I have a 16g Nuvo with a Maxspect Razor that is doing pretty well, I think.

I finally have some questions that I can't seem to find answers for using the search tool.

I am starting a 3.5g bowfront. Dimensions are 18L X 6.5W X 7.5H. I plan on stocking only mushrooms, zoas, softies, etc. I want to try and make my own light fixture, but because of the tank placement (below the TV) I can't hang a fixture or pendant. I would also prefer not to use side mounts on the glass because of light bleeding through from underneath. I want to place it right on top of the tank. Sort of like Current USA's Padlite, only covering the entire tank.

I would prefer not to have to use a big heatsink and fan. I think I can use a smaller heatsink or even a piece of aluminum sheet if needed.

I think that the popular cree and luxeon leds that all the kit suppliers have will be overkill unless dimmed way down. But may be the only way to get colors other than white and blue.

Smaller, lower power lights like the smd 5050 seem like they might work but I am having trouble finding more than the blue and whites.

There is a thread by a member that used these, but the thread died and I don't know if it was succesful.

So, what do you think? Can the smd 5050's be used in this situation? Are they enough to reach the bottom of the tank? (about 6") Are they powerful enough to grow coral? How many would I need to use? Will only blue and white's work?

If I go with cree's or luxeons and dim them way down, will it still be too much for the tank? If they are dimmed down, will they still produce too much heat in this situation? How many and what ratio do you recommend?

By the way, My brother in law is a EE who has a lot of experience with led's, controllers and drivers. He will be helping me, but his experience with them is engineering industry related and not reefkeeping.

I guess that's good for now. Hopefully I didn't ramble too much. Please let me know if you have any questions or need more info from me.

Thanks,

Tony

11/15/2013, 05:50 PM	#1
TriunfoT Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 2	LED requirements for shallow pico Hi Everyone, I have been lurking around RC for awhile now soaking up lots of good information. I have a 16g Nuvo with a Maxspect Razor that is doing pretty well, I think. I finally have some questions that I can't seem to find answers for using the search tool. I am starting a 3.5g bowfront. Dimensions are 18L X 6.5W X 7.5H. I plan on stocking only mushrooms, zoas, softies, etc. I want to try and make my own light fixture, but because of the tank placement (below the TV) I can't hang a fixture or pendant. I would also prefer not to use side mounts on the glass because of light bleeding through from underneath. I want to place it right on top of the tank. Sort of like Current USA's Padlite, only covering the entire tank. I would prefer not to have to use a big heatsink and fan. I think I can use a smaller heatsink or even a piece of aluminum sheet if needed. I think that the popular cree and luxeon leds that all the kit suppliers have will be overkill unless dimmed way down. But may be the only way to get colors other than white and blue. Smaller, lower power lights like the smd 5050 seem like they might work but I am having trouble finding more than the blue and whites. There is a thread by a member that used these, but the thread died and I don't know if it was succesful. So, what do you think? Can the smd 5050's be used in this situation? Are they enough to reach the bottom of the tank? (about 6") Are they powerful enough to grow coral? How many would I need to use? Will only blue and white's work? If I go with cree's or luxeons and dim them way down, will it still be too much for the tank? If they are dimmed down, will they still produce too much heat in this situation? How many and what ratio do you recommend? By the way, My brother in law is a EE who has a lot of experience with led's, controllers and drivers. He will be helping me, but his experience with them is engineering industry related and not reefkeeping. I guess that's good for now. Hopefully I didn't ramble too much. Please let me know if you have any questions or need more info from me. Thanks, Tony