Diy t5/led question

rustyjames · 04/16/2018, 05:30 AM

Would like some opinions on the led portion of a t5/led build.
Tank is a 20 long, t5 will be let 2x24 with a blue plus and a coral plus.

Plan is 10 cree leds on a dimmable driver, I'd like some help choosing colors. The majority will be royal blue. Should I add a couple regular blue, neutral white and or violet to the mix?

Thanks for reading and any help would be appreciated.

mcgyvr · 04/16/2018, 06:12 AM

Its really just personal preference..
I was quite happy with the standard royal blue/cool white combo we used to do back in the day..

Depending on layout/spacing/power levels you might not be happy with the spotlight/circle of color you may see from any color you add really.. So you may be happier with cool whites only or neutral whites something like that..

I suspect you can ask 100 people and really get 100 personal opinions.. You just got mine..

jayball · 04/16/2018, 09:31 AM

Depends on what you are running the string at to whether you should add violet, I would not if you are over 500MA. (I guess you could do a couple in parallel but if one goes out you will overload the rest)

If you are using a blue plus bulb I wouldn't bother with bright blue, you have blue and cyan covered with that.

So I would run 3 neutral or 4 cool white, one less of either if you want it colder. mix in a couple violets if you are running at a lower current. The balance royal blue. All IMO.

rustyjames · 04/16/2018, 10:12 AM

Ah, good point on the violets. Forgot they were 500mA max. While I'd like some pop from the supplemental lighting I don't want it too blue.

Guess I'll go old school, 2 to 1 rb/cw. Any thoughts on evenly spacing the leds vs groups of 3?

Thanks guys.

mcgyvr · 04/16/2018, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustyjames

Any thoughts on evenly spacing the leds vs groups of 3?

.

Evenly spacing may be better from a thermal perspective..

Grouping them together can help to avoid the disco ball effect (being able to see the single colored spot on the sand)..

jayball · 04/16/2018, 10:53 AM

If you are using a heat-sync with enough headroom you could use "anti-disco" 3-ups from steves http://www.stevesleds.com/3-up-Trist...sco_p_208.html

Looks like they have violets they rate for 700ma too, not sure I would trust it though.

04/16/2018, 05:30 AM	#1
rustyjames EMT-B Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 879	Diy t5/led question Would like some opinions on the led portion of a t5/led build. Tank is a 20 long, t5 will be let 2x24 with a blue plus and a coral plus. Plan is 10 cree leds on a dimmable driver, I'd like some help choosing colors. The majority will be royal blue. Should I add a couple regular blue, neutral white and or violet to the mix? Thanks for reading and any help would be appreciated. __________________ I see your Schwartz is as big as mine. Current Tank Info: 20 long

04/16/2018, 06:12 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Its really just personal preference.. I was quite happy with the standard royal blue/cool white combo we used to do back in the day.. Depending on layout/spacing/power levels you might not be happy with the spotlight/circle of color you may see from any color you add really.. So you may be happier with cool whites only or neutral whites something like that.. I suspect you can ask 100 people and really get 100 personal opinions.. You just got mine.. __________________ Who me?

04/16/2018, 10:12 AM	#4
rustyjames EMT-B Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 879	Ah, good point on the violets. Forgot they were 500mA max. While I'd like some pop from the supplemental lighting I don't want it too blue. Guess I'll go old school, 2 to 1 rb/cw. Any thoughts on evenly spacing the leds vs groups of 3? Thanks guys. __________________ I see your Schwartz is as big as mine. Current Tank Info: 20 long

04/16/2018, 09:31 AM	#3
jayball Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,671	Depends on what you are running the string at to whether you should add violet, I would not if you are over 500MA. (I guess you could do a couple in parallel but if one goes out you will overload the rest) If you are using a blue plus bulb I wouldn't bother with bright blue, you have blue and cyan covered with that. So I would run 3 neutral or 4 cool white, one less of either if you want it colder. mix in a couple violets if you are running at a lower current. The balance royal blue. All IMO.

04/16/2018, 10:53 AM	#6
jayball Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,671	If you are using a heat-sync with enough headroom you could use "anti-disco" 3-ups from steves http://www.stevesleds.com/3-up-Trist...sco_p_208.html Looks like they have violets they rate for 700ma too, not sure I would trust it though.