DIY LED build

[kjsreef]

jharr, true, my frag tank is very shallow, but the lights are almost a foot above the water line. I have a kill-a-watt and will do that analysis this weekend.

Yes, in general, LED's give you more light for less energy and should reduce your costs, that is why there is such an LED craze right now. However, the commercial units are wicked expensive.

[kjsreef]

One of my next projects may be to build a 24-36LED (72-108 watt total) system and try it over my main tank which currently has a 250w radium MH. The 24-36 LED kits are only $240-340.

[smirkis]

i know. i've seen people build some big ones for big tanks too. looks interesting. im trying to follow someones 120gal LED build, like 120 LED's over a 4ft tank

[kjsreef]

Ran the kill-o-watt analysis last night. Now first, keep in mind that I don't think my 36 watt LED is exactly equal to my 150 DE MH in terms of PAR but here are the results.

12x3W LED fixture is 97.3kWh per year (8 hrs per day) @ $0.23/kWh = $22/yr
150w DE MH fixture is 233.6 kWh per year (8 hrs per day) @$0.23/kWh = $54/yr

Thus, it's about 1/2 the cost run with LED's

Still have to see if the LED fixture gives the same growth and color of the MH.

[unbereefable]

Keep us posted. It might be time for me to start doing some reefing!

[DiverDave]

Hi guys. I'm building a 12 x 3w led light now. Check out the link below. Pretty sure that this is the link kjsreef is talking about. I can't vouch for the information personally but some of these guys have done the PAR for similar systems and look to be equal or greater than that of a 150W HQI.

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/inde...&#entry2572547

[unbereefable]

Ran the kill-o-watt analysis last night. Now first, keep in mind that I don't think my 36 watt LED is exactly equal to my 150 DE MH in terms of PAR but here are the results.

12x3W LED fixture is 97.3kWh per year (8 hrs per day) @ $0.23/kWh = $22/yr
150w DE MH fixture is 233.6 kWh per year (8 hrs per day) @$0.23/kWh = $54/yr

Thus, it's about 1/2 the cost run with LED's

Still have to see if the LED fixture gives the same growth and color of the MH.

When I calculate power comsumption for MH 150w @ 8 hrs/day, I get 438 kwh/year, which equals $100.74 yearly usage cost. Looks like the leds are way cheaper to me, or is my math wrong?

[pazhope]

150W * 8hrs = 1200W = 1.2 KW (one day)

1.2 KW * 365days = 438 KW (one year)

The fixture looks great, let us know your results.

When I calculate power comsumption for MH 150w @ 8 hrs/day, I get 438 kwh/year, which equals $100.74 yearly usage cost. Looks like the leds are way cheaper to me, or is my math wrong?

[kjsreef]

I think my mistake was that I actually am running a 70w MH unit and not a 150. Have to check the ballast to be sure.

[GrantMBrady]

What are the dimensions of the frag tank you are running this LED system over/ what are the dimensions that this 12 bulb system covers?

[kjsreef]

The frag tank is shallow (6 inches) but the LED lights are a good 1ft off the surface. the tank dimenions are 24x12x6 deep.

[klierman]

Hmmm.... I need to check out some of these LED threads on RC and get in on the fun... Right now i'm running a 250MH on my sump/frag area, but i'm putting bulbs from my main tain (as opposed to new) bulbs in there, so its never really getting super great PAR anyway... and if i can save some heat/electricity, that would be good.

BTW, I have a PAR meeter if you really want to check the output and compare side by side.

[DiverDave]

If you want info on LED's and LED builds, go here and set up an account.

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/inde...2&hl=led+build

[laffingcrow]

Here's what I found after months of looking for parts, power supplies, heat sinks etc., and comparing dollars / watt for the leds and time and trouble to heat up the soldering iron...
They come complet with power supply, cord, and are already mounted to an aluminum panel that acts as a heat sink with holes in each corner for mounting. Just plug it in and get your sunglassed out.
I have one panel hanging pendant style now until I get my second panel and canopy built.
I got them off e-bay from LED wholesalers.com $145.00 with free shipping or 155.00 buy in now price.


I don't have a PAR meter but my sekonic meter tells me they are twice as bright as my 72 watt compact flourescents and equal to one members T-5 setup that I measured and only consume half (36 watts) of power.
They are advertised as being the same brightness as a 200 watt MH and look to be close.
I found them to be very pinpoint light source (as expected) however after burning a small hole in my orange monti cap I got some diffuser material from HD to spread out the blue and white pattern.
The panel is 10 inches sq. and lights an area about 18" sq. @ ten inches above the aquarium.
I now have a second panel to give full coverage of my 24" wide tank.
One panel would be great for any nano up to 24 or 28 cube style tank.
One drawback I can see and am willing to live with is you can't turn off the white/blue seperately or power them up slowly to approximate nature.
They also have a 120watt model that is completely turn key with cooling fans... more $.
Thanks for your interest,
Brian

[JoeJ]

I wonder if you'd find this useful for your dimmable needs? It's interesting in that it can work with the RKE controller, too.

Here's what I found after months of looking for parts, power supplies, heat sinks etc., and comparing dollars / watt for the leds and time and trouble to heat up the soldering iron...
They come complet with power supply, cord, and are already mounted to an aluminum panel that acts as a heat sink with holes in each corner for mounting. Just plug it in and get your sunglassed out.
I have one panel hanging pendant style now until I get my second panel and canopy built.
I got them off e-bay from LED wholesalers.com $145.00 with free shipping or 155.00 buy in now price.


I don't have a PAR meter but my sekonic meter tells me they are twice as bright as my 72 watt compact flourescents and equal to one members T-5 setup that I measured and only consume half (36 watts) of power.
They are advertised as being the same brightness as a 200 watt MH and look to be close.
I found them to be very pinpoint light source (as expected) however after burning a small hole in my orange monti cap I got some diffuser material from HD to spread out the blue and white pattern.
The panel is 10 inches sq. and lights an area about 18" sq. @ ten inches above the aquarium.
I now have a second panel to give full coverage of my 24" wide tank.
One panel would be great for any nano up to 24 or 28 cube style tank.
One drawback I can see and am willing to live with is you can't turn off the white/blue seperately or power them up slowly to approximate nature.
They also have a 120watt model that is completely turn key with cooling fans... more $.
Thanks for your interest,
Brian