DIY LED fixture

XxMutedYouthxX · 10/13/2007, 01:52 AM

Is this even going to function well or should I just buy T5s

BeanAnimal · 10/13/2007, 07:01 AM

Buy the T5s unless you are willing to do a lot of R&D and spend a lot more money

xtm · 10/13/2007, 02:08 PM

The first question is, how much do you know about LEDs? (ie. their forward voltage, etc) Second question is how are you gonna go about replacing ONE LED if one LED burns out? Third- which LEDs are you planning to use?

For LED mounting, I suggest you clump a group of LEDs (say, 9 LEDs in an array of 3x3 cube) and solder them on a PCB. That PCB will then mount into a socket array. You want to be able to pull out that LED group should one LED burn out, and not take down the entire fixture.

I think this project is very do-able, just expensive and time consuming. In the end, IMO it's not worth it.

BeanAnimal · 10/13/2007, 02:15 PM

Ohh there is no doubt that a person could DIY a very nice LED array

You just need to know what you are doing and be willing to spend some cash!

FEEDERFISH · 10/13/2007, 02:35 PM

I deal w/ LED's Everyday at work, I never plan on using them on my reef except for moonlights, T-5s are easy to use and have so much positive review, and w/ the look and output capabilites of both T-5 and MH I dont know why anyone would want to hassle w/ a DIY LED fixture or spend a ton of $ on Full LED lighting. Not stopping you its a fun hobby for DIY, but my LED array would end up in the trash!

10/13/2007, 01:52 AM	#1
XxMutedYouthxX Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Murrieta CA Posts: 444	DIY LED fixture Is this even going to function well or should I just buy T5s __________________ Sometimes I wonder why I don't just put dollar bills in my tank instead of fish and coral and just watch them float around for a while. Current Tank Info: 120gallon reef tank, 24gallon

10/13/2007, 02:08 PM	#3
xtm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Panorama City, CA Posts: 4,703	The first question is, how much do you know about LEDs? (ie. their forward voltage, etc) Second question is how are you gonna go about replacing ONE LED if one LED burns out? Third- which LEDs are you planning to use? For LED mounting, I suggest you clump a group of LEDs (say, 9 LEDs in an array of 3x3 cube) and solder them on a PCB. That PCB will then mount into a socket array. You want to be able to pull out that LED group should one LED burn out, and not take down the entire fixture. I think this project is very do-able, just expensive and time consuming. In the end, IMO it's not worth it. __________________ Function before fashion Current Tank Info: 120g SPS Tank (48x24x24)

10/13/2007, 02:35 PM	#5
FEEDERFISH Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Waupun, Wisconsin Posts: 1,060	I deal w/ LED's Everyday at work, I never plan on using them on my reef except for moonlights, T-5s are easy to use and have so much positive review, and w/ the look and output capabilites of both T-5 and MH I dont know why anyone would want to hassle w/ a DIY LED fixture or spend a ton of $ on Full LED lighting. Not stopping you its a fun hobby for DIY, but my LED array would end up in the trash! __________________ --Roads?..... Where were going...... We don't need.......Roads --Doc. Brown Current Tank Info: Custom AO 30 Gal Starphire Display , 2x150DE Hamilton Reefstar - Reeflux 12k / XM 15K, IceCap 430 24" T5-UVL Super Actinic, Aqua C EV-180 w/ Mag 9.5, Closed Loop on a Panworld 40px, Return Mag 12

10/13/2007, 07:01 AM	#2
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	Buy the T5s unless you are willing to do a lot of R&D and spend a lot more money

10/13/2007, 02:15 PM	#4
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	Ohh there is no doubt that a person could DIY a very nice LED array You just need to know what you are doing and be willing to spend some cash!