Guide to LEDs

[myjohnson]

There has been a movement towards the use of LED lights in nano reefs and somewhat in larger reef systems as well. It has been reported by many that LEDs can produce as much lighting power was MH/HQI with a lot less heat. Additionally, the light bulbs on a LED system does not need to be replaced as often.

The goal of this thread is to provided reefers with comprehensive information on understanding LED lighting and the DIY processes.

Below you guys will find some helpful links I have read and as always if you know of anymore please feel free to post them.

1) "Ultimate LED guide"

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=186982

2) "DIY LEDs- The write-up"

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1587273

3) "Comprehensive DIY LED Project List"

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=200335

Two links from the planted tank world by it deals with some general info on LED:

1) http://www.aquatic-eden.com/2009/09/...ng-part-1.html

1) http://www.aquatic-eden.com/2009/10/...ng-part-2.html

[gotticgs]

Edit homie and put the brew down....

There was been a movement towards the use of LED lights in nano reefs and somewhat in larger reef systems as well. It was been reported by many that LEDs can produce as much lighting power was MH/HQI with a lot less heat. Additionally, the light bulbs on a LED system does not need to be replace was often.

The goal of this thread is to provided readers with comprehensive information on understand LED lighting and even DIY processes.

Below you guys will find some helpful links I have read and as always if you know of anymore please feel free to post them.

1) "Ultimate LED guide"

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=186982

2) "DIY LEDs- The write-up"

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1587273

3) "Comprehensive DIY LED Project List"

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=200335

Two links from the planted tank world by it deals with some general info on LED:

1) http://www.aquatic-eden.com/2009/09/...ng-part-1.html

1) http://www.aquatic-eden.com/2009/10/...ng-part-2.html

[Darbex]

This can also be beneficial to any tank

[kwc1974]

I got some LED lights for a plant tank and I am mostly happy with them. The only problems I have is I would like to have a little more control over the percentage of bulbs on at one time. And the color temp is not my perfered color @ 6500K. Other than that it is a good light system I have more light and less heat than I would for a conventional lighting system.

[myjohnson]

Please post pictures if you have the time. Is yours a DIY system?

[kwc1974]

No not DIY, found it on Ebay for about $40 here is link to what I have http://cgi.ebay.com/225-WHITE-LED-Aq...item5ad24d76dc

I hate posting ebay links so here is a pic


it is sold by "Hydroponic" dealers on ebay so I have a feeling that after I bought it the DEA is now monitoring my account

The panel is 12"x12" and would fit perfectly on a ADA 30c I currently have it on a JBJ 3 gallon as seen here. http://houstonfishbox.com/vforums/sh...ad.php?t=31066

[Darbex]

What is the equivalent wattage for this?

[jeebus]

Are LEDs "dimmable"?

[dustin]

Yes led's are dimable. You need to use a Potentiometer. Usually a 10kohm linear taper. also use this calculator to figure out what resistors you need to run in line with the led's. do not ever directly drive an led without a resistor in line or its life span will be very short.

here is the led calculator.

http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz

hope this helps.

[kwc1974]

I have no idea what the equivalent wattage is other than a little on the high side. The Anubias nana petie is having problems similar to what I have seen when too much light is applied. I have covered some of the bulbs with electrical tape in that area to help shade the anubias and this helped a lot.

[jeebus]

Yes led's are dimable. You need to use a Potentiometer. Usually a 10kohm linear taper. also use this calculator to figure out what resistors you need to run in line with the led's. do not ever directly drive an led without a resistor in line or its life span will be very short.

here is the led calculator.

http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz

hope this helps.

Way over my head, but yes. thank you! I've always wanted to create a light bank of LED's that could be programmed to simulate the sun's rise and fall over a tank.

This hasn't already been done and convienently packaged for me to buy has it?

[myjohnson]

Yes it has been done but its not cheap....

[Mzungu]

Yes it has been done but its not cheap....

Unfortunately, yes. "Not cheap" is an understatement. :)

[tnguyen]

I don't think the led fixture above is strong enough for corals.

[kwc1974]

No, the LED fixture I posted I would not use for coral on if for the K rating. It would be strong enough for a small tank as far as intensity goes, but again the K rating is about 6500K and all wrong for corals.