Heres another thread of another guy switching up to LED's 
Ok im going to need help from you guys so please read what i have in mind and help me select what you think would be the best for my tank....
The tank: 75 gallon standard 48x18x21
Looks like this atm:
The white balance in the pics is a bit off since its from a cellphone camera but you get the idea.
Current lighting: Tank is currently lit by 2 T8 fixtures both with 30 W bulbs. One fixture is 36 inches and has a warm white bulb while the other is 48 inches and has a cool white.
My IDEA: Since trying the Marineland double bright LED's on the tank my gf loves the look and shimmer of LED's. Definitely very natural and the ripples are amazing. Although the Marineland's arent too pricey unfortunately they don't make a 48" double bright fixture which i think i would have bought if they had it.
I have been reading through some thread's and gathering information for the past week or so on the DIY LED's and this looks like the route i will be taking.
My IDEA is to get 2 fixtures about 20-22" long and about 12" wide and put 8 of the 3W Cree LED's. One fixture for each side of my 48" tank.
The tank does not have live plants and we won't be keeping live plants in there, and we kind of like natural light and not too much light like with a 4 bulb T5 fixture or some of the LED's salt guys use for high light corals.
Budget: Our budget is currently under $200. I know 16 LED's alone will run me about $120 depending on where i buy them, and in my understanding i will also need a power supply and a dimmer if i wanted to.
Questions:
1. Will this be enough light for my tank? I honestly like the natural look and even the Marineland 36-48" fixture looked nice in the tank even though the corners were dark and it could be brighter.
2. Which of the Cree LED's would you guys suggest? I know they have alot and i have no clue which to go with.
If you would suggest any other brand of LED's go right ahead except none of the Ebay floodlamp LED's.
3. What power supply do i need and how much is it?
4. If i was to go with a dimmer would i need it right away or could i put it on say next month when i have more money without having to re-rig everything.
5. Which dimmer would you choose and what is the cost?
6. Which website have you used and trust for buying Cree LED lights that have great prices?
I have a ton more questions and will post them as i remember, but for now im back to reading Jcardona1's build since its been very helpful so far. IT would be great if you could chime in.
Thanks guys, i will also be making a canopy for the 75 and ill post the progress of both that and the LED fixture on here!
Ok im going to need help from you guys so please read what i have in mind and help me select what you think would be the best for my tank....
The tank: 75 gallon standard 48x18x21
Looks like this atm:
The white balance in the pics is a bit off since its from a cellphone camera but you get the idea.
Current lighting: Tank is currently lit by 2 T8 fixtures both with 30 W bulbs. One fixture is 36 inches and has a warm white bulb while the other is 48 inches and has a cool white.
My IDEA: Since trying the Marineland double bright LED's on the tank my gf loves the look and shimmer of LED's. Definitely very natural and the ripples are amazing. Although the Marineland's arent too pricey unfortunately they don't make a 48" double bright fixture which i think i would have bought if they had it.
I have been reading through some thread's and gathering information for the past week or so on the DIY LED's and this looks like the route i will be taking.
My IDEA is to get 2 fixtures about 20-22" long and about 12" wide and put 8 of the 3W Cree LED's. One fixture for each side of my 48" tank.
The tank does not have live plants and we won't be keeping live plants in there, and we kind of like natural light and not too much light like with a 4 bulb T5 fixture or some of the LED's salt guys use for high light corals.
Budget: Our budget is currently under $200. I know 16 LED's alone will run me about $120 depending on where i buy them, and in my understanding i will also need a power supply and a dimmer if i wanted to.
Questions:
1. Will this be enough light for my tank? I honestly like the natural look and even the Marineland 36-48" fixture looked nice in the tank even though the corners were dark and it could be brighter.
2. Which of the Cree LED's would you guys suggest? I know they have alot and i have no clue which to go with.
If you would suggest any other brand of LED's go right ahead except none of the Ebay floodlamp LED's.
3. What power supply do i need and how much is it?
4. If i was to go with a dimmer would i need it right away or could i put it on say next month when i have more money without having to re-rig everything.
5. Which dimmer would you choose and what is the cost?
6. Which website have you used and trust for buying Cree LED lights that have great prices?
I have a ton more questions and will post them as i remember, but for now im back to reading Jcardona1's build since its been very helpful so far. IT would be great if you could chime in.
Thanks guys, i will also be making a canopy for the 75 and ill post the progress of both that and the LED fixture on here!
