RapidLED DIY'ers - Are you happy? - Page 4

stlcard · 04/08/2013, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin

I just received the 75 gallon solderless dimmable retrofit kit. The red and green LED's are an issue. They're too strong! They shadow horribly. I covered the lenses with some white paper tape and it helped a little. I think today I will try taking the lenses off and taping them to see if I can diffuse them a little more.

The included hanging kit is an awesome idea, but doesn't work in my canopy. I have 10.5 inches from the bottom of the canopy to the water line and using the hanging kit would have left the fixture too close to the water. I got it to work by modifying it and shortening the arms of the Y on the cables. Once you cut an end off of this part, you can't use the included attachment hardware on the end you cut off, so I used an eye bolt with some nuts and washers. Works like a charm now!

Overall, I'm very pleased with the setup. It's super bright and my tank has never looked better. Even the fish look better!

--Colin

I agree, the reds and greens dominate the tank thus i only have 2 greens in a 28 led setup. I dont run any optics to allow the colors to mix better. I hated the spotlight efffect i got from the optics, which in my opinion are cheap chinese optics and not worth it, at least in my current setup which is only 18" deep.

Colin · 04/08/2013, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlcard

I agree, the reds and greens dominate the tank thus i only have 2 greens in a 28 led setup. I dont run any optics to allow the colors to mix better. I hated the spotlight efffect i got from the optics, which in my opinion are cheap chinese optics and not worth it, at least in my current setup which is only 18" deep.

You run no optics at all on any LED's?

--Colin

stlcard · 04/08/2013, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudimenta

Anyone got this Rapidled kit working with profilux control?

not sure. I think most are using manual dimming, or Apex. I am on Apex.

You should be the guinea pig and let the thread know!

stlcard · 04/08/2013, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin

You run no optics at all on any LED's?

--Colin

correct, I took them all off. It spotlighted my tank too much. I get more than enough punch at the bottom to keep zoas, lps on sand bed, and SPS mid to high in the tank. i also had some color banding issues with the cyans i have so i took it off like i said to blend the colors better. Worked like a charm.

saltwaterpicaso · 04/08/2013, 09:48 AM

im very happy with my rapid led build i have a 72 gallon bow. i went the full spectrum dimable route and couldnt be happier. 72 leds in total with 2 boost led controllers. the second controller is for 24 seperate leds to do a high noon effect from 3pm till 6 pm.

saltwaterpicaso · 04/08/2013, 09:49 AM

bishop777 · 04/08/2013, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltwaterpicaso

I wanna be happy but right now I'm not.

stlcard · 04/08/2013, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bishop777

I wanna be happy but right now I'm not.

bishop, i think you should give the guys at rapid a call about that ddc2. Sounds like something is wrong with it. Im sure they will take care of you no questions asked.

bishop777 · 04/08/2013, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlcard

I have a couple things to help you out. but i need to know a bit more. Posting some pictures of your driver layout + wiring scheme to the leds + led to led would be most helpful.

How are you dimming the setup? Are you doing manual controls would look like this ->

or a controller such as neptune Apex, Reefkeeper, Reef Angel?

The "flashing" is normal. This is a discharge of the remaining voltage in the driver once unplugged. It happens and is not detrimental to your unit.

you say you wired them up in chain. Are you sure you went LED1 Positive -> LED2 Negative -> LED3 Positive-> LED4 Negative? If not then you do not have a correct or viable path for current. to elaborate use this picture as reference: Notice, the second string is incorrect, the second led has been flipped upside down and the terminals are + & + which does not work. You must run + to -

How many leds did you connect to your driver? You need a minimum of 5-8 leds per driver to get them to light up.

Post pictures of what you have and the wiring scheme you used, i can try to help as best i can. the best option would be to go directly to the source and call Rapid LED. They have great customer service and would have more knowledge than myself.

I finally got a response apparently they received a bad batch of bad 10v adapter that the polarity was wrong. Now I got it to work

saltwaterpicaso · 04/08/2013, 04:48 PM

bishop i had a string of leds do that and there was a short within the system that took me about a week to find. you said 6 worked fine then added 8 and it didnt try adding one at a time and see if they work all the way up to 8. its probually something to do with that dimmer its prob got a short. i would return it and just get a cheap auduno controller. and make sure all the wiring is correct. pos to neg and so forth

bishop777 · 04/14/2013, 07:31 AM

How did you guys get the lens to stay on,

stlcard · 04/14/2013, 12:25 PM

I don't use them. Others have used hot glue

bishop777 · 04/14/2013, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlcard

I don't use them. Others have used hot glue

I didnt put them in either it just my is complaining that its to bright.

Midnightt · 04/14/2013, 12:59 PM

I love the kit. And Rapid is actually really, really good about responding to customers. I will probably convert my kit for the 55 to the 180 gallon until I can afford to go with something a little nicer. Although I may not even do that because like many have said they are amazing.

I may ditch the lenses because they don't stay on that well not matter what I do. Have to look into doing that because of the depth of the tank.

The controller for the dimmer they sell kind of sucks. IMO I didn't notice much dimming going on. I am waiting for the apex so we will see how that does or if I'm being picky.

stlcard · 04/14/2013, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midnightt

I love the kit. And Rapid is actually really, really good about responding to customers. I will probably convert my kit for the 55 to the 180 gallon until I can afford to go with something a little nicer. Although I may not even do that because like many have said they are amazing.

I may ditch the lenses because they don't stay on that well not matter what I do. Have to look into doing that because of the depth of the tank.

The controller for the dimmer they sell kind of sucks. IMO I didn't notice much dimming going on. I am waiting for the apex so we will see how that does or if I'm being picky.

Doing works much better and like it should with the apex and vdm

blackz151 · 04/15/2013, 12:04 PM

Glad to here all the good things about Rapid. Going to be ordering a retro kit for my 29 cube. Just have to pick a controller

FoxDaddy · 04/15/2013, 06:57 PM

I was extremely happy with my 90led build. Thought it was the best thing ever...then I bought radions and even my wife said "sooo...why didn't you do that to begin with?"

saf1 · 04/15/2013, 07:39 PM

I dim my LED's but I'm using a Reef Angel. Also have some cloud, storm, and lightning routines. Biocube 29 - this is with Steve's retro kit. Also have it with Rapids on our other cube. Not sure why we went with one of each, but it is what it is. Only difference honestly is that the mean wells in Rapids kit only dim to 15% and use Cree LEDs. Steve's custom drivers dim to 0 and use the Luxeon / PHillips LED's.

Love LED's - best thing since slice bread - but then again all I can honestly compare it to is my former 100 gallon which ran 2x175MH and 2x48" SVHO's.

Midnightt · 04/15/2013, 07:40 PM

I bet the Radions are sweet! I like them. But, I'm in the if i can build it reliably boat and it will work awesome and I can save a few hundred dollars I might as well.

rovster · 04/15/2013, 07:52 PM

I don't run optics either, but my LEDs are only a few inches off the water. I can grow birdsnest on the bottom. Actually have a huge colony of ponape down there. I also have a rather large hammer down there as well. Acros on the top are borderline bleached, LOL! It's only a 14 gallon biocube. I would fry everything with optics.

Fitz19d · 04/15/2013, 09:24 PM

If I don't want to do a controller, but want something fancier than just blue white. (IE some green/red, UV?, or maybe other kinds of blue/white) Would I just have to have strings/drivers for each type with pots.

IE 1 driver/strand for blue, 1 White, and 1 sharing green/red or maybe seperate. (Though minimum led per driver issues since I only have a 55g)

Any suggestions on total number for something this size. Zoa/LPS + some sps. (With old vs new leds, does the difference now mean we actually count watts or change the overall number? )

Colin · 04/16/2013, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitz19d

If I don't want to do a controller, but want something fancier than just blue white. (IE some green/red, UV?, or maybe other kinds of blue/white) Would I just have to have strings/drivers for each type with pots.

IE 1 driver/strand for blue, 1 White, and 1 sharing green/red or maybe seperate. (Though minimum led per driver issues since I only have a 55g)

Any suggestions on total number for something this size. Zoa/LPS + some sps. (With old vs new leds, does the difference now mean we actually count watts or change the overall number? )

Take a look at the retrofit kits on the RapidLED site. That would be a good place to start. You definitely don't want very many red/green LED's as they are very overpowering. I have the 75G kit and it only has 2 of each which is plenty. They are on the white string along with the UV LED's. The blues are on a separate string.

--C

Colin · 04/16/2013, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlcard

I don't use them. Others have used hot glue

I pulled mine off last night. I'm not sure I like the look. Everything is pink now. I think I need to tweak the colors somehow.

--C

mykol reef · 04/16/2013, 06:53 AM

I have one fixture with rapid led and I don't have problem.

rovster · 04/16/2013, 10:58 AM

You'll want a seperate drive with a dimmer for the other colors. Depending on how much control you want, you could dedicate a driver per color, or just string the colors together. Mine is a nano set-up, but I have 3 drivers.

5 whites on one. 11 blues on another. And I have a nano driver that is running 2 UV, 2 red and one green. Works for me. You could do the same on a larger scale. FWIW, my blues are full blast, my whites are at about 70-80% if I had to guess, and the colors are around 30-40%. Any more on the colors and the tank looks purple. However, the colors do make a difference and really round out the appearance of everthing. When I turn the colors off, you definitely notice a difference.

04/15/2013, 06:57 PM	#92
FoxDaddy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 124	I was extremely happy with my 90led build. Thought it was the best thing ever...then I bought radions and even my wife said "sooo...why didn't you do that to begin with?" __________________ "I do what I want because she said I can!" Current Tank Info: 200g display, 5 radion gen2s, 2 mp60s, reeflo dart, Vertex Alpha 250

04/15/2013, 07:39 PM	#93
saf1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: California Posts: 2,259	I dim my LED's but I'm using a Reef Angel. Also have some cloud, storm, and lightning routines. Biocube 29 - this is with Steve's retro kit. Also have it with Rapids on our other cube. Not sure why we went with one of each, but it is what it is. Only difference honestly is that the mean wells in Rapids kit only dim to 15% and use Cree LEDs. Steve's custom drivers dim to 0 and use the Luxeon / PHillips LED's. Love LED's - best thing since slice bread - but then again all I can honestly compare it to is my former 100 gallon which ran 2x175MH and 2x48" SVHO's. __________________ -saf1 Current Tank Info: 210 gallon mixed reef

04/08/2013, 09:48 AM	#80
saltwaterpicaso Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 778	im very happy with my rapid led build i have a 72 gallon bow. i went the full spectrum dimable route and couldnt be happier. 72 leds in total with 2 boost led controllers. the second controller is for 24 seperate leds to do a high noon effect from 3pm till 6 pm.

04/08/2013, 09:49 AM	#81
saltwaterpicaso Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 778

04/08/2013, 04:48 PM	#85
saltwaterpicaso Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 778	bishop i had a string of leds do that and there was a short within the system that took me about a week to find. you said 6 worked fine then added 8 and it didnt try adding one at a time and see if they work all the way up to 8. its probually something to do with that dimmer its prob got a short. i would return it and just get a cheap auduno controller. and make sure all the wiring is correct. pos to neg and so forth

04/14/2013, 07:31 AM	#86
bishop777 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: tampa,fl Posts: 49	How did you guys get the lens to stay on,

04/14/2013, 12:25 PM	#87
stlcard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 317	I don't use them. Others have used hot glue

04/14/2013, 12:59 PM	#89
Midnightt Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Illinois Posts: 223	I love the kit. And Rapid is actually really, really good about responding to customers. I will probably convert my kit for the 55 to the 180 gallon until I can afford to go with something a little nicer. Although I may not even do that because like many have said they are amazing. I may ditch the lenses because they don't stay on that well not matter what I do. Have to look into doing that because of the depth of the tank. The controller for the dimmer they sell kind of sucks. IMO I didn't notice much dimming going on. I am waiting for the apex so we will see how that does or if I'm being picky.

04/15/2013, 12:04 PM	#91
blackz151 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Coral Springs FLA Posts: 116	Glad to here all the good things about Rapid. Going to be ordering a retro kit for my 29 cube. Just have to pick a controller

04/15/2013, 07:40 PM	#94
Midnightt Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Illinois Posts: 223	I bet the Radions are sweet! I like them. But, I'm in the if i can build it reliably boat and it will work awesome and I can save a few hundred dollars I might as well.

04/15/2013, 07:52 PM	#95
rovster Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miramar, FL Posts: 7,518	I don't run optics either, but my LEDs are only a few inches off the water. I can grow birdsnest on the bottom. Actually have a huge colony of ponape down there. I also have a rather large hammer down there as well. Acros on the top are borderline bleached, LOL! It's only a 14 gallon biocube. I would fry everything with optics.

04/15/2013, 09:24 PM	#96
Fitz19d Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Frederick Colorado Posts: 475	If I don't want to do a controller, but want something fancier than just blue white. (IE some green/red, UV?, or maybe other kinds of blue/white) Would I just have to have strings/drivers for each type with pots. IE 1 driver/strand for blue, 1 White, and 1 sharing green/red or maybe seperate. (Though minimum led per driver issues since I only have a 55g) Any suggestions on total number for something this size. Zoa/LPS + some sps. (With old vs new leds, does the difference now mean we actually count watts or change the overall number? )

04/16/2013, 06:53 AM	#99
mykol reef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 51	I have one fixture with rapid led and I don't have problem.

04/16/2013, 10:58 AM	#100
rovster Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miramar, FL Posts: 7,518	You'll want a seperate drive with a dimmer for the other colors. Depending on how much control you want, you could dedicate a driver per color, or just string the colors together. Mine is a nano set-up, but I have 3 drivers. 5 whites on one. 11 blues on another. And I have a nano driver that is running 2 UV, 2 red and one green. Works for me. You could do the same on a larger scale. FWIW, my blues are full blast, my whites are at about 70-80% if I had to guess, and the colors are around 30-40%. Any more on the colors and the tank looks purple. However, the colors do make a difference and really round out the appearance of everthing. When I turn the colors off, you definitely notice a difference.