New Custom LED is KILLER!!! DIYed by local friend (not myself)

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

So, we just finished testing the PAR on my new LED that a friend of mine is building for me tonight. We're using 26 total emitters of 10w LEDs (12 x 10000k; 8 x 455nm Blues; 3 x 20000k; 3 x 6500k) for 260w max over a 5'8' x 2' x 2' 165g full reef tank.

I used our group buy Apogee PAR meter on the metal halide (Phoenix 14000k 150w) in water at different depths and an inch under the light.

We then fired up the LEDs and at 100% power, the inch under the light reading is 3 times what my metal halide was reading and in water, it was double the PAR readings. The manufacturer lists the lumens as being 700 to 750 for the whites and under 300 for the blues. However, every colour spectrum tested out at about the same PAR. Woohoo.

When we dimmed it down (oh, did I mention he built in individual dimmers:wink, it's about the same PAR at 50% as the metal halide. So, for my 165g, once everything is finished, I'm looking at 130-150 watts for my lighting with no heat issues and near silent operation. Each light spectrum has its own dimmer switch and there are three plugs (10000k; blues; 20000k/6500k) so I can put them on different timers. He was going to build digital timers for each light spectrum but he decided it was too complicated a fix for a simple issue.

The power supply heats up to about the same temp as metal halide ballasts, so he's going to add more heat sinks &/or fans to the power supply in the final prototype version.

I'm freakin impressed with this unit and can't wait for it to be finished completely.

For my fishy friends who want to check out the new LED over my tank before I pull it off to let my buddy finish the build, contact me and come over tomorrow afternoon/evening.

BTW, under 80w of 455nm blues, the corals glow like they're radioactive and the colours are the most spectacular I've seen (particularly the red flowerpot and red brain corals).

I'm in South Burnaby (and yes, though there is already a waiting list, my friend can build more lights as he gets some free time). This is a prototype so we will be doing a lot more testing on it before the next unit is built.

Anthony

[gklaw]

Hello Anthony. I will definitely drop by if it is still around Wednesday noon time Busy tomorrow though.

[target]

I will definitely be back to see it when it is finished. Where are the LEDs from? I am going to see about borrowing some ideas for your lights when it is time to do my own.

[Roberto Luongo]

Any pictures ?.

[someguy]

PRICES, how much did you have to throw at this??

( loved the shirt on boxing day btw,lol )

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I know, a thread like this without pics is not worth much sooooo...

Some quick pics of the LED array over the tank:



Pic 1: 12 x 10w 10000k (120 watts total)



Pic 2: 12 x 10000k; 3 x 6500k; 3 x 20000k (180 watts total)



Pic 3: 12 x 10000k; 3 x 6500k; 3 x 20000k; 8 x 455nm blues (260 watts total)

The left side is open top, the middle has about 3 panes of dirty glass tops for the light to pass through, and the right side has one pane of dirty glass top to pass through.

Thanks for looking.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

PRICES, how much did you have to throw at this??

( loved the shirt on boxing day btw,lol )

Not sure yet on the final cost since we're not quite finished yet. I'm testing it (ie. showing fellow reefers my new toy) for a couple of days and then when he comes back from his holidays, I'll bring it back to him to finish off. The wiring will be extended 4' so I can hide the controller/dimmer/powersource inside my stand or just screw it into the wall. He is also going to add another fan or bigger heatsinks to the powersource to reduce the heat. The light itself produces almost no heat and the 2 fans are dead silent. The unit is light enough to pick up with a finger or two.

I also like the shirt on Boxing Day. I believe in truth in advertising

[Morainy]

Spectacular DIY light, and spectacular tank, too. From that I figured out that you meant 'killer light' in the best possible way.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Spectacular DIY light, and spectacular tank, too. From that I figured out that you meant 'killer light' in the best possible way.

It'll double as a weapon for the Canadian Armed Forces, blinding enemy bombers and causing them to crash into the mountains

When it was upside down on my living room floor, it was so bright that we shut off the living room and dining room lights and it lit the whole place up.

If you have time, come on by tomorrow after lunch (between 1:30pm to 5:30pm) if you have time and want to see the lights/tanks in person.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Hello Anthony. I will definitely drop by if it is still around Wednesday noon time Busy tomorrow though.

Was planning on taking it down and putting my Aqualight Pro back on but if you can't make it till Wednesday, I can hold off for another day. After you see it, you can help me take it down and put up my MH light on the tank, if you don't mind.

Why don't you bring the family on Wednesday for lunch Gordon.