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DIFM or plug and play?


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DIFM=do it for me lol

I want LED for my 55 gallon so I'm trying to decide if there's a plug and play system out there that will work, or if I should try to hire someone (one of you handy guys) to Do It For Me ;)

Here's what I want:

to do softies and maybe some LPS

have a single decent looking fixture (one piece)

hang fixture above my tank

have a noiseless (a tiny whir from a fan would be ok) light that doesn't require a jillion plugs (outlet real estate is golden)

can be put on a timer

and if it won't break the bank, can be dimmable.

would like to stay at around $300 for commercial, and since I have read from other reefers that you can DIY a fixture this size for about $100, if I were paying someone, could pay about $200.

Any feedback on any of these, or any recommendations, or alternatively, does anyone want me to pay them to build something, if it would be what I want and would be any cheaper than the plug and plays available. Any reality checks on any subject are appreciated. Thanks.



http://www.marinedepot.com/Marinelan...FILDFX-vi.html



http://www.marinedepot.com/Ecoxotic_...FILDTF-vi.html



http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaticLi...FILDLK-vi.html



http://www.aquatraders.com/BeamsWork...TR-p/56275.htm



http://www.aquatraders.com/BeamsWork...TR-p/56278.htm



And Last but not least, these are the lights Aquatek uses on all their tanks, and they have in the store:



http://www.buildmyled.com/reef-led-lights/

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Even with the solderless kits, there's still a fair amount of work involved. And I'm not sure you're going to be able to get the parts for a 4' fixture + heat sink + driver + optics + the labor to get someone to assemble for $200.

I think your price criterion is going to put you more into the used light fixture category than a new DIY. Other LED DIY'ers out there, chime in, but that's my gut feeling as someone who has assembled two DIY LED fixtures.

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Yeah i agree with Victoly. It gets expensive really quick. Have you tried looking on ebay? There are some fixtures that cost $120 that are reef capable. Could get two for a little over $200. Beats the headache of trying to make one or getting someone to make one.....just a thought...

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