Stephen Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Looking to build my own LED fixture for my pico tank. How many 3 watt LEDs would you guys use for a tank 16" x 8" x 8"? I'd like to keep whatever I want in there. I was thinking 14, half royal blue and 10k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 That is a *ton* of LEDs for a small tank. You can always trim them down, but I'd go with more like 8 maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted January 11, 2013 Author Share Posted January 11, 2013 Are there cheaper drivers that can power less? I'd like to run Two dimmable drivers, but dont want to pay $30 a pop to run 4-7 leds.. ya know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Yeah I hear ya. The only drivers that I know of that are dimmable are the meanwells I use, but I didn't really explore options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sifuentes31 Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 No not really. I looked and looked and the only ones that were any good where the meanwhells. There are the China made ones that are dimmable but are not waterproof. You can probably make a utility box for them and to keep the water out. The ones that are waterproof are usually constant power. Alliexpress have a lot and try looking at ebay. I purchased a Chinese made driver, constant current, and only paid $25. Its a 12V-5A and has the power to run 5 10watt LEDs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted January 11, 2013 Author Share Posted January 11, 2013 I read that the 1000mA Wired dimming w/ pot BuckPuck supports 6 leds and they're only $15. I'm going to look into it some more before I decide to order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted January 11, 2013 Author Share Posted January 11, 2013 I decided to go with this kit http://www.aquastyleonline.com/products/Aquarium-24--LEDs--DIY-Dimmable-Kit.html'>http://www.aquastyleonline.com/products/Aquarium-24--LEDs--DIY-Dimmable-Kit.html. This way i can have more options. Plus, I have the same kit on my 40 and can always add extras to my current setup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dshel1217 Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 group buy led has 3puck leds two royal blue with one neutral white and they also have a color 3 led. IMO I would do one of each and driver it with 2 meanwell (check out powergate they sell them for $24 each) or if you want to whole sunset and dim each one use a DIMM4 controler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 I've been happy with dimmable buckpucs from LEDsupply.com (but the LEDs are cheaper from RapidLED.com). I would use more LEDs colors though after seeing the corals pop with the 400nm LEDs on BuildMyLED.com "Super Actinic" and rereading Dana Riddles articles on florescing pigments on AdvancedAquarist.com. At the very least now I would use an equal number of 400nm, 450nm and 470nm and maybe cyan as well. Another option you have is to use one foot fixtures from BuildMyLED.com, a one foot "Custom Reef" and a one foot "Super Actinic" would light up that tank and give you the option of dimming either/or. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted January 12, 2013 Author Share Posted January 12, 2013 Yeah, that sounds like a great idea with all the colors, I'm going to look into getting some different blues..The fixtures at buildmyled are nice, but they would cost me an arm and a leg. Def not worth it for me. Looks like a great product though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bimmerzs Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 I decided to go with this kit http://www.aquastyleonline.com/products/Aquarium-24--LEDs--DIY-Dimmable-Kit.html. This way i can have more options. Plus, I have the same kit on my 40 and can always add extras to my current setup Have you looked at stevesleds.com? Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted January 14, 2013 Author Share Posted January 14, 2013 What do yall think about this setup? The tank is 16"x8"x8" Heat sink 12"x3" 4 cool whites 6 royal blue 6 blue Might add these.. 2 uv violet 2 cyan Attached Thumbnails Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted January 14, 2013 Author Share Posted January 14, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.