Fluval Edge Cree Led Build (6/10/12 UPDATED pics)

[Jeff.:P:.]

Fluval Edge with 10 white Cree LeDs, to keep hc,ug,downio and CRS

Here's a tease....

[Jeff.:P:.]

Lighting:
10 x 3w Cree White with 80degree optics

Substrate:
ADA Aquasoil Amazonia I

Plants:
UG
HC
Downio

CO2:
DIY Paintball Regulator CO2
GLA new diffuser


Picking up some thermal paste and solder tonight to get started.

[jeffvmd]

Is the light spread better or the hood still blocks much of the light on the sides?

[HolyAngel]

isn't 10 of them a bit much light? Looks like it'll work pretty good tho from the angles you set on the heatsink. interested to see the full tank shot

[Jeff.:P:.]

I still need to solder everything, I'm hoping the angled heatsink + led optics will make a difference and not have a spotlighting effect. I'll prob have everything wired up this weekend.

[Jeff.:P:.]

One of the scapes..





My UG,HC farm....

[senoufo]

interesting concept, although you may find there is no need for optics, keep us updated.

cheers.

ps: they will be dimmable?

[Betta Maniac]

Interesting. I’m really enjoying seeing all the mods people are coming up with for these tanks.

[Jeff.:P:.]

Thanks, I really like your design as-well. I think I watched your video 10xtimes, in order to come up with my design.

The kit I purchased did not come with a dimmable option, I might in the future go for it. In regards to the optics I think your right, I'll probably keep optics on the "angled LEDs" to try to "push" as much light as possible into corners of the tank.

Originally Posted by senoufo

interesting concept, although you may find there is no need for optics, keep us updated.

cheers.

ps: they will be dimmable?

[Jeff.:P:.]

Thanks! Life would be boring without mods and DIY!

Originally Posted by Betta Maniac

Interesting. I’m really enjoying seeing all the mods people are coming up with for these tanks.

[Betta Maniac]

Originally Posted by Jeff.:P:.

Thanks! Life would be boring without mods and DIY!

I'm handy enough to tackle my own plumbing and electrical around the house (to a point), but the kind of stuff I see here is totally beyond me, LOL! Heck, I can't even seem to get the rim off my 20L . . .

[Jeff.:P:.]

senoufo, What kind of thermal adhesive did you go with?
I'm looking at buying some artic silver today. thoughts? opinions?

[senoufo]

i did not use thermal adhesives, rather i went with metal screws and tapped threads in the heatsink. I did use a dab of artic silver under each pad though.

you would be safe using the thermal adhesives, no need to tap & screw ( i have a tap set so it gave me an excuse to use it ;-)

[Jeff.:P:.]

Great to hear! Thanks again. Can you point me to a good dimmer? Any advantages to dimming the led's? I know longevity, life of the led's is improved, anything else?

Thanks

Jeff

Originally Posted by senoufo

i did not use thermal adhesives, rather i went with metal screws and tapped threads in the heatsink. I did use a dab of artic silver under each pad though.

you would be safe using the thermal adhesives, no need to tap & screw ( i have a tap set so it gave me an excuse to use it ;-)

[senoufo]

you can get these buckpucks that have the added 10K pots, so no need for a ref voltage of 10volts : http://ledsupply.com/03023-d-e-1000p.php

these can drive the crees at 1000Ma, you can go for a lower current, its on the this page at the bottom: http://ledsupply.com/wired-buckpuck.php

LEDs die by being overcurrent and of course how many hours they are driven, since these have a MTBF of 50K hours you will grow old and gray before they crap out, so no worries if you did not dim them. Dimming only gives you latitude on intensity, and of course dusk to dawn effect.