DIY LED for 90cm/36 inch 48 gallon tank -FINISHED! Pics/PAR levels on page 2

malaybiswas · 02-23-2011, 12:28 AM

Yeah 40-50 umol is more than sufficient at substrate. You can always expand it later if need be. Very good diy.

**IWANNAGOFAST** · 02-24-2011, 10:38 PM

wowzers, I measure the PAR ratings on a TEK fixture using 2 bulbs, it was 14 inch off the tank and about 16 to the substrate, so a total of 30 inches off the substrate and it was giving 60umols at the substrate. Really shows how important good reflectors are!

**IWANNAGOFAST** · 03-15-2011, 10:55 PM

ok, I put on a few 60 degree optics onto a few of the LEDS, mainly to spot light a few plants that I think could use a little more light. It's not noticeable with both banks on since there's so much light already but when I turn on the individual banks, you can really see the spot light effect, you can see it against the glass a very bright cone of light.

Man, I love LEDs...

!shadow! · 03-16-2011, 05:14 AM

Join the club

**Hoppy** · 03-16-2011, 06:00 PM

It is a growing club! Clearly the absolute most flexible way to light any aquarium. So much flexibility it makes your head ache as you try to decide what to do with them.

FDNY911 · 04-20-2011, 02:20 AM

I am not much of a DiYer but I am really tempted to build an LED fixture for my 48x24x24 120 Gallon tank. Not sure if its worth the money tho for a tank that big. You did a really good job bro!

Hector

!shadow! · 04-20-2011, 05:21 AM

Well don't think of it like you're spending a lot of money now but more of an investment down the road

. That's how I see it. Geissman bulbs aren't cheap even tho they're up there in quality. I used to have a 4x39w extreme nova on my 48g. Bulbs were 20-30$ each so pretty much around 80-120$ a year 450$-600$ for 5 years 900-1200$ for 10. You figure if led's will last you 5-10 years(depending on how long you use em each day) you'll be doing pretty darn good.

**audioaficionado** · 04-25-2011, 08:40 PM

I build DIY electronics as a hobby too. Glad to see this paired with another favorite hobby of mine

I'm looking at getting dirt cheap white multiple LED flashlight arrays and gang/group them together to get the needed light levels.

TPT is an awesome forum

Rockhoe14er · 04-25-2011, 08:52 PM

When your led lights die do you have to remove them and rewire them? or is their a little bulb that you can replace the old one with?

**IWANNAGOFAST** · 04-25-2011, 10:44 PM

you have to remove them and rewire them. It's not too hard to do.

Aqua-Escaping · 10-23-2011, 06:30 PM

Since I don't have the luxury of owning all those metal and welding tools; can I just salvage my old plastic fixture to install this type of setup?

Naekuh · 10-23-2011, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aqua-Escaping

Since I don't have the luxury of owning all those metal and welding tools; can I just salvage my old plastic fixture to install this type of setup?

i was thinking of doing just that too. well not a plastic hood but an old coral life hood.

The only problem is see is how to install the heat sink internally and have a fan of some sort blowing air over it.

Rapid LED's has 1.1 inch wide heat sinks which span from 12->72 inches long that might fit your need.

**IWANNAGOFAST** · 10-24-2011, 06:26 AM

i have retrofitted an old coralife t5ho fixture into LEDs. It's doable.

Naekuh · 10-24-2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IWANNAGOFAST

i have retrofitted an old coralife t5ho fixture into LEDs. It's doable.

worklog? i would love to see how u did it.
how did u mount the sink inside? or did u use the shell as a sink itself?

Also Iwannagofast... have you ever considered using a breaker pannel shell as a cover b4?

**IWANNAGOFAST** · 10-24-2011, 06:01 PM

Sorry I don't have a work log for that one. It was a lot of cutting and cursing to get the heat sink into the fixture. I used some scrap aluminum for the heatsink.

Here's my thread for a archaea led retrofit
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/li...chaea-led.html

02-23-2011, 12:28 AM	#46
malaybiswas Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (40/100%) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,594	Yeah 40-50 umol is more than sufficient at substrate. You can always expand it later if need be. Very good diy. __________________ Patience is the name of the game. Changing Mood. Rimless Array \| DIY LED Light Panel \| DIY Rimless tank + Stand \| DIY 72L Stand

02-24-2011, 10:38 PM	#47
IWANNAGOFAST I see LEDs (View User Tanks) PTrader: (33/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,843	wowzers, I measure the PAR ratings on a TEK fixture using 2 bulbs, it was 14 inch off the tank and about 16 to the substrate, so a total of 30 inches off the substrate and it was giving 60umols at the substrate. Really shows how important good reflectors are! __________________ \|ADA 60H - "RAGE" \| ADA 60F \|48g Riparium \| DIY 24x3watt LED Light Fixture \| SFBAAPS

03-15-2011, 10:55 PM	#48
IWANNAGOFAST I see LEDs (View User Tanks) PTrader: (33/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,843	ok, I put on a few 60 degree optics onto a few of the LEDS, mainly to spot light a few plants that I think could use a little more light. It's not noticeable with both banks on since there's so much light already but when I turn on the individual banks, you can really see the spot light effect, you can see it against the glass a very bright cone of light. Man, I love LEDs... __________________ \|ADA 60H - "RAGE" \| ADA 60F \|48g Riparium \| DIY 24x3watt LED Light Fixture \| SFBAAPS

03-16-2011, 05:14 AM	#49
!shadow! Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (15/100%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: austin,texas Posts: 1,671	Join the club __________________ ----gauny---- 48g rimless "passion" "What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others" -pericles

03-16-2011, 06:00 PM	#50
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (54/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 17,215	It is a growing club! Clearly the absolute most flexible way to light any aquarium. So much flexibility it makes your head ache as you try to decide what to do with them. __________________ Hoppy

04-20-2011, 02:20 AM	#51
FDNY911 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (11/100%) Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Queens Village NY Posts: 876	I am not much of a DiYer but I am really tempted to build an LED fixture for my 48x24x24 120 Gallon tank. Not sure if its worth the money tho for a tank that big. You did a really good job bro! Hector __________________ My 120 Gallon Shrimp Tank Rebuild finally started!! New Journal: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...20-gallon.html Old Journal: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...en-down-4.html EHEIM Pimp Club Member #461 Two 2217s and 2215.

04-20-2011, 05:21 AM	#52
!shadow! Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (15/100%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: austin,texas Posts: 1,671	Well don't think of it like you're spending a lot of money now but more of an investment down the road . That's how I see it. Geissman bulbs aren't cheap even tho they're up there in quality. I used to have a 4x39w extreme nova on my 48g. Bulbs were 20-30$ each so pretty much around 80-120$ a year 450$-600$ for 5 years 900-1200$ for 10. You figure if led's will last you 5-10 years(depending on how long you use em each day) you'll be doing pretty darn good. __________________ ----gauny---- 48g rimless "passion" "What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others" -pericles

04-25-2011, 08:40 PM	#53
audioaficionado Planted Tank Overclocker (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Medford, Orygun Posts: 2,177	I build DIY electronics as a hobby too. Glad to see this paired with another favorite hobby of mine I'm looking at getting dirt cheap white multiple LED flashlight arrays and gang/group them together to get the needed light levels. TPT is an awesome forum __________________ Steve 45 gal tall high-tech : 2-23-12 update Complete CO2 Leak Test : How to build a CO2 regulator Never argue with a fool. Onlookers often can't tell the difference. Growing older is mandatory, growing up is optional. My advice is free and worth every penny.

04-25-2011, 08:52 PM	#54
Rockhoe14er Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Richmond VA Posts: 1,105	When your led lights die do you have to remove them and rewire them? or is their a little bulb that you can replace the old one with? __________________ Cork Scape DIY LED 29 gallon

04-25-2011, 10:44 PM	#55
IWANNAGOFAST I see LEDs (View User Tanks) PTrader: (33/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,843	you have to remove them and rewire them. It's not too hard to do. __________________ \|ADA 60H - "RAGE" \| ADA 60F \|48g Riparium \| DIY 24x3watt LED Light Fixture \| SFBAAPS

10-23-2011, 06:30 PM	#56
Aqua-Escaping Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: San Heezy, CA Posts: 19	Since I don't have the luxury of owning all those metal and welding tools; can I just salvage my old plastic fixture to install this type of setup?

10-24-2011, 06:26 AM	#58
IWANNAGOFAST I see LEDs (View User Tanks) PTrader: (33/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,843	i have retrofitted an old coralife t5ho fixture into LEDs. It's doable. __________________ \|ADA 60H - "RAGE" \| ADA 60F \|48g Riparium \| DIY 24x3watt LED Light Fixture \| SFBAAPS

10-24-2011, 06:01 PM	#60
IWANNAGOFAST I see LEDs (View User Tanks) PTrader: (33/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,843	Sorry I don't have a work log for that one. It was a lot of cutting and cursing to get the heat sink into the fixture. I used some scrap aluminum for the heatsink. Here's my thread for a archaea led retrofit http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/li...chaea-led.html __________________ \|ADA 60H - "RAGE" \| ADA 60F \|48g Riparium \| DIY 24x3watt LED Light Fixture \| SFBAAPS

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