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NeenahFoxxe

Need some guidance...

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7 Comments
by
NeenahFoxxe
, 06-25-2012 at 10:17 PM (1731 Views)
HOLA!!! It's been a while since I've been on, between work, husband, and kids it almost leaves me no time for my addiction. Anyhow work has been INSANE! I'm glad I can come home to an adult beverage and stare at my tank .

Ok OK I'll get to the point. I'm putting together a 265 gal tank and I need help with the lights. Originally I wanted MH but I've changed my mind and want LEDs now. This is where I need help. I've done research and my brain is FRAZZLED! It seems like everyone has a different opinion or suggest something completely opposite from the last article I read.

The LEDs will be placed inside the canopy so I would love to do DIY LEDs (not only to save some money but I'm a fan of DIY) I would like them to make the corals colors POP! I would love for them to start of like a sunrise and then have the brightness of high noon, finish off with a sunset look and then of course the moon lights. It would be nice to work them into a controller (eventually when I can afford one). I've been on a few sites but I have no idea what to order and even less of an idea on how to place them. Do I need actinic lights too? I need HELP! The tank is 84"x31"x23"

Thanks!

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Categories
‎ NEED HELP STAT! , ‎ Lighting , ‎ DIY projects , ‎ Questions - Need some input , ‎ Equipment

Comments

  1. Alaska_Phil's Avatar
    Check out the DIY list on the home page. There a couple good articles there on setting up LED systems and what to get and where.
  2. baker.shawn's Avatar
    check out my LED build it was fairly easy, if you need any help just ask
  3. trplxj's Avatar
    I can recommend reefledlights.com. I have two of their phoenix 45 kits over my 90 and I love them. They are controlled by my apex and come on at 20% in the morning and ramp up to 100% over a two hours. then ramp down from 100% to 20% over two hours at night. I made the switch from a crappy old fixture with two 250W MH and 4 65W PC's. And I saw a $30.00 drop in my power bill just by switching to the LED lights. I've had them running on my tank since the first of March and have not seen any corals lacking because of the light. My chalice has all it's color and my clam is as happy as could be. The clam moved all over the tank before trying to get into some good light and didn't open up all the way. After I switched to LED's he stopped moving and opens up like crazy. I love my LED's and when I get my 180 running I will move the two fixtures that I have over to it and add one more. For me LED was the way to go. Hit up the guys at reefledlights.com they can and will answer any and all questions you have. Great people to work with, and they offer great products.
  4. NeenahFoxxe's Avatar
    Thanks for the suggestions! baker.shawn you might be hearing from me soon. I just need work to slow down so I can have more time for my build. Off to do more research!
  5. NEReef's Avatar
    If you want to DIY LED but you arent sure if you are up for the whole big heatsink multiple strings of lots of little LEDs I'd suggest doing multichips like i did they are easier because you need fewer large LEDs. Although you can have more spotlighting/shadows so you need to plan well.
  6. NeenahFoxxe's Avatar
    So far I really like those Phoenix lights... Hmm I hope they are as easy to DIY as they claim
  7. trplxj's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by NeenahFoxxe
    So far I really like those Phoenix lights... Hmm I hope they are as easy to DIY as they claim

    They are pretty easy. The hardest part for me was deciding how to layout the LED's on the heat sink.