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Unread 03/15/2009, 03:24 PM   #326
kcress
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It could last a long time if the board temp is low. That's why I'm curious as to what it is.


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Unread 03/15/2009, 08:27 PM   #327
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It may be just fine at 750. I will bet that it does get warm but probably not enough to hurt it too bad.

How did you bend the acrylic into domes? I've done a lot of bending but no domes.


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Unread 03/15/2009, 09:04 PM   #328
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I've done it 2 different ways/
1) sandwich acrylic between 2 boards small hole on 1 board with air hose fitting adapted, larger hole in 2nd board, heat and use air pressure from air hose.
2) sandwich acrylic holes in boards the max diameter of need, heat acrylic and use a ball or such to set on acrylic and let sink, The 1 I did this way I used a pool ball and a heat gun from the bottom side to control the heat a bit.
Just a couple I have tried.


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Unread 03/15/2009, 09:04 PM   #329
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I've done it 2 different ways/
1) sandwich acrylic between 2 boards small hole on 1 board with air hose fitting adapted, larger hole in 2nd board, heat and use air pressure from air hose.
2) sandwich acrylic holes in boards the max diameter of need, heat acrylic and use a ball or such to set on acrylic and let sink, The 1 I did this way I used a pool ball and a heat gun from the bottom side to control the heat a bit.
Just a couple I have tried.


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Unread 03/15/2009, 09:05 PM   #330
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Nice. Thanks.


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Unread 03/15/2009, 09:32 PM   #331
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Soundwave,

"It may be just fine at 750. I will bet that it does get warm but probably not enough to hurt it too bad."

Yeah, that's why I run it that way. Below the rating...
If I stick my finger inside the dome, the star is hot but not blistering.

"How did you bend the acrylic into domes? I've done a lot of bending but no domes."

I used the exact method dtech mentions above, with the air pressure.
You just need a pressure regulator that you can adjust gradually, and a heat gun.

Stu


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Current Tank Info: 125 Gal. display w/80 gal mud/caulerpa sump. Basement sump w/ LED Grow Light,Gravity fed Reeflo200 skimmer w/ ORCA Recirc, DIY calc reactor & kalk stirrer. Inline plumbed 75 Gal frag/settling tank.
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Unread 03/15/2009, 09:50 PM   #332
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Got it. Don't know when I'll use it, but I understand. Thanks.


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Unread 03/15/2009, 10:22 PM   #333
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stugray; How long can you hold your finger on the back?


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Unread 03/15/2009, 10:22 PM   #334
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Ive been following this for quite some time and have to applaud Soundwave and would like to extent a great thanks for the write up. I would really like to put some kind of set up like this over a 30 cube and have a question for you gurus to help me with.

You posted previously that the 6500k does not have any yellow as you would expect from other bulbs. However I am curious as to if the corals would get the proper spectrum of light. I have read other DIY threads where they used green and red mixed in to supplement the spectrum of light. Have you noticed any differences in your corals and do you have any thoughts on this?

Thanks again for the write up and kudos!

Happy Reefing.


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Unread 03/15/2009, 10:46 PM   #335
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Hey soundwave, just wanted to say ive read and researched this thread alot over the past week and am planning on diving into this myself. I have a 65 gallon tank...3ft by 2ft and am wondering if you had any suggestion on the amount of led's I might need. should I put 48 like you have done or do u think I will need less, I was planning on using wide angle optics with the setup.


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Unread 03/15/2009, 11:02 PM   #336
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I'm going with the wide Carclo optics from LEDsupply. I would just do the same amount as myself given your dimensions. You could actually rotate my arrays 90 degrees giving you more front to back spread and a little less width spread.

dawgdude: You can add any color you want. I just don't exactly know the benefits of doing so. The only differences are that they are growing at a faster pace than when I had PCs. I'm not saying things are outgrowing the tank but a 1/4" of growth on a monti cap in about a week is far faster than with my PCs

Time will tell what the overall effect is. I hope to see my blue palys color up like when I bought them but who knows.


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Unread 03/16/2009, 04:57 AM   #337
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110% great work......... just need to find out the results on coral growth......keep us updated sir...


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Unread 03/16/2009, 02:35 PM   #338
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Here is an article I found that analyzes the spectrum of one of the LED fixtures and looks at the 6500K White and Blue LEDs spectrural output independantly. The long and short is that the 6500K covers the green and red spectrums well enough that I dont see any need to supplement green or red into the setup.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/10/review#h4


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Unread 03/16/2009, 09:12 PM   #339
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I was also wondering...what actually is the purpose of the heatsinks? Ive only seen them used before on ballasts used to radiate away heat. But the led's arent supposed to generate that much heat... is there any reason you cant use just a regular piece of sheet metal?


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Unread 03/16/2009, 09:40 PM   #340
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The cooler they are, the longer they last. I figured I wouldn't take any chances.


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Unread 03/16/2009, 09:49 PM   #341
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can anybody recommend a good 2-wire quick disconnect that would make it easier to wire up multiple small fixtures inside of a canopy?


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Unread 03/16/2009, 10:22 PM   #342
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"can anybody recommend a good 2-wire quick disconnect"

I actually found them in HD near the wirenuts.
They are for flourescent lights.

Or you can order these:

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...OD&ProdID=1419

Stu


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Current Tank Info: 125 Gal. display w/80 gal mud/caulerpa sump. Basement sump w/ LED Grow Light,Gravity fed Reeflo200 skimmer w/ ORCA Recirc, DIY calc reactor & kalk stirrer. Inline plumbed 75 Gal frag/settling tank.
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Unread 03/17/2009, 10:34 AM   #343
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There are some nice 2 wire connectors at the hobby store for R/C cars that work great for small areas and wiring etc.


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Unread 03/17/2009, 10:43 AM   #344
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Quote:
Originally posted by ReefEnabler
can anybody recommend a good 2-wire quick disconnect that would make it easier to wire up multiple small fixtures inside of a canopy?
weather resistant, 2 connector cables:

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a...erproof/1.html


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Unread 03/17/2009, 10:52 AM   #345
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thanks for those links

rcgates, this seems very close to what I am looking for.

Except its only 12" leads. My buckpucks are probably going to be around 6' from the LEDs, since I want them in a box on top of my canopy, so the wires will have to snake around the back and hug corners etc.

Would it be simple to replace the leads?

Stu, the one you posted looks great and has 30ft leads solid copper.... you think it would be ok to use inside an aquarium canopy??

Also, is 18 Gauge Solid Copper Wire something that could be soldered onto a luxeon star base??

The technical data for a buckpuck says thicker wire should be used if the LED's are far from the buckpuck, would I need thicker than 18guage for a ~6' distance?


Maybe better off with some automotive ones like this (one per wire) and just crimp in my own leads??



Thanks!


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Current Tank Info: 220g Display, 70g sump, 35g frag, 50g fuge, 2x250w MH, 1x400w MH, 2x80w T5, 2x140w VHO Actinic

Last edited by ReefEnabler; 03/17/2009 at 10:59 AM.
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Unread 03/17/2009, 11:10 AM   #346
rcgates
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Quote:
Originally posted by ReefEnabler
thanks for those links

rcgates, this seems very close to what I am looking for.

Except its only 12" leads. My buckpucks are probably going to be around 6' from the LEDs, since I want them in a box on top of my canopy, so the wires will have to snake around the back and hug corners etc.

Would it be simple to replace the leads?

Stu, the one you posted looks great and has 30ft leads solid copper.... you think it would be ok to use inside an aquarium canopy??

Also, is 18 Gauge Solid Copper Wire something that could be soldered onto a luxeon star base??

The technical data for a buckpuck says thicker wire should be used if the LED's are far from the buckpuck, would I need thicker than 18guage for a ~6' distance?


Maybe better off with some automotive ones like this (one per wire) and just crimp in my own leads??



Thanks!
The website has different length leads, up to 48". You can always splice in additional length of wire if needed.

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a...48-WIRE/1.html


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Unread 03/17/2009, 11:14 AM   #347
ReefEnabler
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man I must be horrible at finding stuff! thanks

ya I know I can splice it but its so much nicer to just buy one with the leads already set to go

I think I should have everything this week. Ordered some buck pucks, Luxeon Rebel Tri-Emitter stars and some royal blue stars... and the heatsinks, should be fun!


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Current Tank Info: 220g Display, 70g sump, 35g frag, 50g fuge, 2x250w MH, 1x400w MH, 2x80w T5, 2x140w VHO Actinic
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Unread 03/17/2009, 03:05 PM   #348
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What heatsinks did you get?


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Unread 03/17/2009, 08:02 PM   #349
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Look up Deans Connectors...


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Unread 03/17/2009, 10:05 PM   #350
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hmmmm NOt sure what to do for my new tank now. I'm going with a 20"x20"x18" cubish tank and might want to do LED if I can go sps with them and get decent coverage-any Ideas?


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