Reef Central Online Community

Go Back   Reef Central Online Community > General Interest Forums > Do It Yourself
Blogs FAQ Calendar Mark Forums Read

Notices

User Tag List

Closed Thread
Thread Tools
Unread 03/11/2009, 12:43 AM   #226
masterswimmer
Registered Member.
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: East of the Mississippi, north of the mason dixon line
Posts: 3,255
Soundwave, I've been following from the beginning. I haven't posted though. Kudos to you my friend. You've done a great job on the design, nice and neat and very presentable. The 'hand holding' through the build was super. I'm no engineer, rocket scientist or electrician, and I was able to follow along. Thank you.

As for the comments by a lot of the followers, those are very useful to the next generation of this project as well. Some comments are said more constructive than others, but all were useful. Some people are just less diplomatic in their presentation.

Thanks again for taking the time during your project to photo catalog the process. You didn't have to do that. I for one appreciate it.

Good luck and I hope the growth and success you've encountered, preliminarily, continues.

swimmer


__________________
I said, "look honey, we paid the mortgage and we have all this money left over for the tank." Her response confused me. She said we still needed to buy food and pay the utilities.

Current Tank Info: 75 10ecor, SLS TEK 6 x 54w T-5, Lifereef sump & VS2-24" skimmer, 15 gal. AGA fuge
masterswimmer is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 05:18 AM   #227
Esquare
Registered Member
 
Esquare's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Lorain, Ohio
Posts: 1,954
^ Well said!


__________________
Eddie

Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder with Dwarf Lionfish
Esquare is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 08:32 AM   #228
Soundwave
Registered Member
 
Soundwave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Maroa, Il
Posts: 361
Thank you masterswimmer.


Soundwave is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 08:44 AM   #229
Imzadi
Registered Member
 
Imzadi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 1,038
Quote:
Originally posted by Soundwave
Ah, but did we REALLY go to the moon?

You are correct by stating that all I did was wire LEDs to drivers. However, if people went out and just bought LEDs off eBay and cheapo drivers and expected the same result they would've wasted their money.

The whole point to this is me showing everyone what I've done. Make your own however you want.

Make improvements, make changes, make a space suit out of aluminum foil for all I care. This works for me and I wanted to share the experience.

On a side note, I got home from Wisconsin a few minutes ago and noticed some pretty decent new growth on my green monti that didn't do any growing under my PCs. I hope this trend continues.

So far, total success.
You experience, has gotten me interested in doing the very same thing. I would not have before this thread. Your positive results encourage me that this might be a good idea for me as well. What did you create? I say you created a new Monti! And you created interest in me do do this, using this exact method. 3.35v or 3.36v, I am still gonna do it, becauce of this thread...



By the way, do you have the DIY on that foil suit? That might be a fall project!


Imzadi is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 09:08 AM   #230
michad
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Abilene, Texas
Posts: 62
Tagging along here as well...Thanks for doing the work!


__________________
No current tank.

Current Tank Info: No current tank, two current sons.
michad is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 09:50 AM   #231
Doolin
Registered Member
 
Doolin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 260
I'm really excited to see the results of the lighting, and how everything grows. I think I can get those LEDs for cheap thru work.


__________________
Treasurer of WORC, a reef club in Western Ohio.

www.worcreef.org
Doolin is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 10:04 AM   #232
Lutefisk
Premium Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Oviedo, FL
Posts: 1,686
Soundwave's been a good sport throughout this thread.

Thanks!


__________________
lu·te·fisk (lôô'tə-fĭsk')
n. A traditional Scandinavian dish prepared by soaking air-dried cod in a lye solution for several weeks, a process that gives the dish its gelatinous consistency.

Current Tank Info: 155 bow front plus misc other tanks.

Last edited by Lutefisk; 03/11/2009 at 10:14 AM.
Lutefisk is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 10:18 AM   #233
Imzadi
Registered Member
 
Imzadi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 1,038
I agree, Lute. I mean getting the load tester and such... top notch effort to supply fodder for the forum.

Soundwave, what would you guess would be a good setup for an amateur 55g Tank. I have a 36" T5 (I think)... do you think a row of whites up each side of the 2 actinics would cut the mustard?

Like this

W___W___W___W___W___W
B------------------------B
B------------------------B
W___W___W___W___W___W


__________________
If you don't agree with me, that's fine... just go, think about it some more, and come back when you do.

Current Tank Info: 120g Freshie, 55g salty with a 2/3 BeanAnimal. BA METHOD - TESTIFY! I am a DIY Disaster, but I am saving money! Damsel FREE since 07/08/09!
Imzadi is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 10:18 AM   #234
EBOLII
Registered Member
 
EBOLII's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Deep within the uncharted Amazon
Posts: 400
Agreed.......well done bud! Show some updated images of your growth yeah?


__________________
I am lost in every-way there is.............literally.............just plain LOST
EBOLII is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 10:44 AM   #235
bdub
Registered Member
 
bdub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Valrico Florida
Posts: 211
Soundwave,
It has been about a month or so since you LED setup, have you noticed any irregularities with your tank life since adding the LEDs?

by the way great build thread


bdub is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 11:15 AM   #236
lynxvs
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: MA
Posts: 189
Quote:
Originally posted by EBOLII
Agreed.......well done bud! Show some updated images of your growth yeah?
soundwave
You saw decent growth in less then a week? I too would like to see pictures of that......


lynxvs is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 11:58 AM   #237
traveller7
Time to get back in?
 
traveller7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 9,441
Quote:
Originally posted by lynxvs
soundwave
You saw decent growth in less then a week? I too would like to see pictures of that......
Actually, 10+ days if one took the time to review available data.

Photo properties indicate 2/27 picture with fixture on tank.
Growth post by owner was on 3/10.

The fixture would appear to be on the tank for some time greater then 10+ days by the time of the post.


__________________
Scott

Current Tank Info: Glass 2.5's
traveller7 is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 02:28 PM   #238
Soundwave
Registered Member
 
Soundwave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Maroa, Il
Posts: 361
No irregularities as of yet. Well the only irregular thing is that everything opens up and looks prettier. I'm using my iPod right now to check this thread so when I get home I'll try to respond to the new qustions and post pics. I have a 4 day weekend this week so I'll show updates as well.


Soundwave is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 02:30 PM   #239
The0wn4g3
Registered Member
 
The0wn4g3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Auburn, AL
Posts: 1,124
Quote:
Originally posted by Soundwave

TheOwn4g3: The first thing I noticed about that driver was constant current yet showed 650~700mA. Doesn't sound constant to me. How is your project progressing? I would like to know if these drivers work.
I'm still waiting on shipping... I like the free part, but I hate the 10-14 business day part.... I'll post the results if I can get it to work haha.


__________________
The 0ne. The 0nly. The0wn4g3.

Current Tank Info: 40 gallon Rimless- 39Wx4 T5HO on Ice-Cap 660, 29gallon sump, DAS EX-2, Deltec Phosphate Reactor, Koralia 3, 50lbs LR
The0wn4g3 is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 03:37 PM   #240
lynxvs
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: MA
Posts: 189
Quote:
Originally posted by traveller7
Actually, 10+ days if one took the time to review available data.

Photo properties indicate 2/27 picture with fixture on tank.
Growth post by owner was on 3/10.

The fixture would appear to be on the tank for some time greater then 10+ days by the time of the post.

I was going by what soundwave said that

"On a side note, I got home from Wisconsin a few minutes ago and noticed some pretty decent new growth on my green monti that didn't do any growing under my PCs. I hope this trend continues."

I assume he saw growth from the time he left and when he came back was less then a week.

By the way I review all "available data" be it bad or good...... It's the interpretation of this data which usually leads to a bad conclusion.

All I offered was some opinions of the design that I saw was flawed. Here is a list of problems that I see so far whether you agree or disagree :

1. Total LED count per 24" is not enough for high PAR.
2. LED driver will not provide the current required.
3. Fan airflow should be perpendicular to heatsink cooling fins.
4. LEDs are can not be removed easily from heatsink.
5. Light must be placed close to the surface of the water because of the lack of optics.

All these problems can easily be fixed but soundwave and it seems most on this thread don't want to hear it......


lynxvs is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 04:20 PM   #241
EBOLII
Registered Member
 
EBOLII's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Deep within the uncharted Amazon
Posts: 400
lynxvs

perpendicular? Is that a pretty word for vertical? or do we just say "that-way".......and what do you mean by #2

so what does your mind recommend [#1] per 24"


__________________
I am lost in every-way there is.............literally.............just plain LOST
EBOLII is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 04:22 PM   #242
goofyreefer
Registered Member
 
goofyreefer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hoffman Estates Illinois
Posts: 812
"1. Total LED count per 24" is not enough for high PAR.
2. LED driver will not provide the current required.
3. Fan airflow should be perpendicular to heatsink cooling fins.
4. LEDs are can not be removed easily from heatsink.
5. Light must be placed close to the surface of the water because of the lack of optics."

I don';t think any of these things are "problems" though. I hope soundwaves design works out well over the long run and look forward to hearing about it.

Just a quick reply with my opinion.

1.His PAR readings seem pretty high to me aleast higher than PC's and T5's I would imagine. Or do you not believe the reading soundwave is getting?

2. his driver seems to working just fine from the pics posted

3. Is it REALLY all that important which way the fan is mounted? Piont is to reduce the heat which he seems to be doing.

4. The LEDs can't be removed easily but if the LED's last 50,000 hours why worry about it really.

5. the lack of optics is Soundwaves preference which results in the lights being placed closer. Although they didn't seem all that close in the pics if I remember correctly but I could be wrong.


goofyreefer is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 04:25 PM   #243
EBOLII
Registered Member
 
EBOLII's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Deep within the uncharted Amazon
Posts: 400
goofyreefer your missing the context of the point. I don't feel lynxvs is being ill towards soundwave. He is just brash in his explanation. Most of the discussion is about improving the "soundwave version +"


__________________
I am lost in every-way there is.............literally.............just plain LOST
EBOLII is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 05:44 PM   #244
jdg
Registered Member
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Oceana
Posts: 1,946
This is AWESOME! It's making me want to give it a shot!


jdg is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 07:51 PM   #245
Lutefisk
Premium Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Oviedo, FL
Posts: 1,686
Quote:
Originally posted by lynxvs


All I offered was some opinions of the design that I saw was flawed. Here is a list of problems that I see so far whether you agree or disagree :

1. Total LED count per 24" is not enough for high PAR.
2. LED driver will not provide the current required.
3. Fan airflow should be perpendicular to heatsink cooling fins.
4. LEDs are can not be removed easily from heatsink.
5. Light must be placed close to the surface of the water because of the lack of optics.

All these problems can easily be fixed but soundwave and it seems most on this thread don't want to hear it......
I'll confess that my post is a reaction to your description of Soundwave's project as being "flawed." Sure, it may not be what you would do but until you build a LED lighting system and post details about it that would allow most reefers to build their own I would only be guessing.

At this point I guess I would have to take the option you offer of disagreeing on a practical basis.

I think that it would be safe to say that about anyone, including Soundwave, can do a better job based upon lessons learned from this project.

Let's keep this "fun" and be helpful rather than judgmental.

1. Total LED count per 24" is not enough for high PAR.
Some people use 150 watt MH and others use 1,000 watt. It all depends on what you're trying to do and want to spend. "Not enough" is very subjective.

2. LED driver will not provide the current required.
See #1

3. Fan airflow should be perpendicular to heatsink cooling fins.
Yes, it could be more effective but it still gets the job done.

4. LEDs are can not be removed easily from heatsink.
See goofyreefer's point #4

5. Light must be placed close to the surface of the water because of the lack of optics.
Must? Should? Could? You pick. Early in engineering I did a lot on paper. Later I learned from a brilliant engineer that it's often better, when you can, to just try it out and see what works best. Soundwave can see what it looks like as he raises and lowers the fixture. Can you?

Now of course I'll have to confess to doing the same thing to your post that I'm complaining about you doing to Soundwave's design

Have fun


__________________
lu·te·fisk (lôô'tə-fĭsk')
n. A traditional Scandinavian dish prepared by soaking air-dried cod in a lye solution for several weeks, a process that gives the dish its gelatinous consistency.

Current Tank Info: 155 bow front plus misc other tanks.

Last edited by Lutefisk; 03/11/2009 at 08:01 PM.
Lutefisk is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 08:34 PM   #246
RandalB
Registered Member
 
RandalB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Cedar Lake, IN
Posts: 1,958
Soundwave,
First of all great writeup!

Second of all, am I inspired by your directions and I am planning a fixture to suppliment a 250 MH fixture that will use 12 Royal Blue's. A quick question; Am I reading the data on the buckpucks correctly when I saw that they can use 12VDC for input voltage? Is there a benefit to using 24V?

Thanks for the input,
RandalB


__________________
Have Membrane, Will Travel...

Current Tank Info: 32 Biocube, 30 Half circle, 120 in wall coming soon all reefs
RandalB is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 08:43 PM   #247
Doolin
Registered Member
 
Doolin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 260
A smaller version of this system would be awesome for a nano. Cheap, high output, low heat...


__________________
Treasurer of WORC, a reef club in Western Ohio.

www.worcreef.org
Doolin is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 09:47 PM   #248
Soundwave
Registered Member
 
Soundwave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Maroa, Il
Posts: 361
OK, let's see what I can answer...

Imzadi: For a 55g, Two rows of whites sounds like it would work just fine. However, if they are spaced too far apart, you will get two rows of white in your tank. If it were me, I would put the whites in the middle and the actinics on the sides.

RandalB: The buckpucks can handle anywhere from 5 to 32V. The number of LEDs you want to run will determine what voltage you want. For instance, with 12 volt, 3 is pretty much the limit. You could do 4 but they would be under-driven. Just consider that each LED will use 4 volts. It's only 3.6ish but use 4 when you calculate how much.

Looks like that was it for now. Like I said, I will have some pictures this weekend.

FYI: LEDsupply has sold out of the cool white Q4 LEDs that I used. They are going to be stocking the Q5 cool whites soon, though. They reach a higher K rating and have a higher output, as well. I may look into upgrading... already.

Thank you for all the positive replies and I hope to see any systems you guys build!


Soundwave is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 10:35 PM   #249
traveller7
Time to get back in?
 
traveller7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 9,441
Quote:
Originally posted by Soundwave
I may look into upgrading... already.
Think it might be worth mounting the LEDs on a block of copper or aluminum which is then mounted to the heatsink to ease replacement?

fwiw: I am using some old aquaspacelight rails in my projects and this is the only choice I had, but it looks applicable to your giant heatsinks as well.


__________________
Scott

Current Tank Info: Glass 2.5's
traveller7 is offline  
Unread 03/11/2009, 10:43 PM   #250
Soundwave
Registered Member
 
Soundwave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Maroa, Il
Posts: 361
I'm just toying with the idea right now. I don't necessarily want to change the white LEDs, I'm just tossing it around in my head.


Soundwave is offline  
Closed Thread

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:07 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Use of this web site is subject to the terms and conditions described in the user agreement.
Reef CentralTM Reef Central, LLC. Copyright ©1999-2022
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.