My Ultra Budget-friendly DIY Canopy + LED Build

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
brich999 said:
did i just read that right? 4d3 those were using 700w!?!?! if so why bother? thats like the watts used by huge T5 and MH combo fixtures...
Click to expand...

Yeah, mathematical error on my part, hence why i build these:

View attachment 938961

View attachment 938962

Each LED bank has been created with the following:


* 3ft aluminium heatsink, black anodized
* MeanWell 700mA drivers
* 12 LEDs:
2x Cree XR-E Royal Blue (455-460Nm)
4x CREE XR-E White 5700-7000IK
4x Philips Rebel ES 660Nm Deep Red

cost me $70-80 for the lot, 30 mins soldering, and total consumption is 66w
 
^ I almost bought the CREE kit from rapid-led too but due to budget I settled for the 5050 instead. You got picture of the tank?
 
Maybe pricing in Aussie is cheaper but I was adding everything you listed and it was $120 before I could even add the Meanwell. The spread could be better, I could see hot spot everywhere. Looks like I won't be going for CREE unless I have $200 lying around.
 
I really like what you did with the cree LEDs. I'm considering doing something like that on my big tank once its up and running. The only difference is that I'd put the lights about 12-18" off of the tank in order to eliminate hotspots and facilitate shimmer.

Where'd you get those heatsinks?
 
Chicxulub said:
I really like what you did with the cree LEDs. I'm considering doing something like that on my big tank once its up and running. The only difference is that I'd put the lights about 12-18" off of the tank in order to eliminate hotspots and facilitate shimmer.

Where'd you get those heatsinks?
Click to expand...
try www.rapidled.com
 
So newb to this LED strip thing. Did you have to buy the adapter or just clip the wires to the DC plug? This looks like a good route for my 300g marine fish only build since it won't need lights for corals.
 
Well I got my lights in today and I have to say I am a bit disappointed. I made sure to order the right lights and at first just put 2 strips across of the blue and 5050 and it wasn't bright enough. Then I used up the rest of the rolls which was good for another row, so 3 rows of each and it still isn't as bright as my t5ho and there isn't really that much of a shimmer even though I have good surface agitation and the lights are mounted directly to my canopy which is about 12" high.

I left them on, but I did put my t5ho lights back on for more light. I may order another roll of 5050 since its so cheap, we'll see. Did anyone else get theirs in and set them up yet?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom