Led lighting, DIY

[metalyx]

Alrighty folks, Mr. Metalyx is starting the process and I could use some very pointed information particularly from coral lighting and electricity pros.

As opposed to the current models for led lighting I've come up with a scheme but some of the requirements are eluding me.

My designs currently range for 72", 48" and 24" lighting systems. The current model is working with (if memory serves) 8 clusters of 24 high brightness led's from smallest to largest, and this seems ineffective. My design for the systems are largest to smallest, 2500 led's, 900 led's and 300 led's.

I've found a supplier that will cut me a deal on bulk ordering led's, but cost will range about $1 (US) per led. These are just for Super Bright, 18000mcd, .98 lumen bulbs.

Are these strong enough for reef lighting? I can't find a good reference for K to lumen and back.

Second is the power question. The current built is rated for (I believe) 100 watts per 12 hour period. I could be misquoting, I'm not sure on power movement. With my designs I've figured for a grand total energy need of 30,000 watts, 12,200 watts and 2,400 watts. This isn't much spread out hourly but I don't know if I'm figuring right.

Third is the question of resistance. Will I have a higher resistance running a line from the power supply to the light instead of adding the power supply right next to the light?

Last for the moment, is the question of the diode plugin. I can't find a good resource for led pads. By this I mean, I can't find the strip that I would solder the led onto. Any leads would be great.

That being said I think I can increase the effectiveness of the led lighting system by putting the bulbs in line as opposed to clustering them. Granted I'll have a smaller effective angle on the bulb, but a more intense light where used. Each of the systems are being designed on a 3 led strip basis for maximum coverage, except the 2500 which is going to use 5.

Thanks much and swim on!

 

[Neophyte]

Well if what I am reading of your post is right I don't beleive that those LEDs are anywhere near bright enough.

Normally it is said that metal halide is best for reef tanks and after some quick googling MH seems to put out about 60-125 lumens per watt and a small 150W metal halide pendant would put out about if even at 60 lumens per watt you would get 9000 lumens, so for about $180 you would get 50 lumens per $1.

So if even you get these LED's at $.50 a piece you would spend about $1250 for the largest and only get ~2 lumens per $1.

And I could be completely wrong as I am in serious need of caffeine.

 

[metalyx]

Nope, I think you're right. I can get the 450+ lumen led's but the pricing does increase. I can strip those at 12 led's,790 lumens for about $180 a strip.

Now I can pull 12 led strips for $30 a pop at 450 lumens. Is that enough?

 

[Neophyte]

For some reason I have having a hard time understanding what you wrote there.

Now if you are saying you can create a 12 LED strip that produces 790 lumens for $180 definitely an improvment but you would still need like 10 strips to equal a basic metal halide.

Same with 450 lumen strip except you would need like 20.

Another point worth mentioning is that metal halide has all that light in a relatively tight beam 'point lighting' as where I am assuming your trying to light an entire tank with this so you will need even more LEDs or are you going to supplement with fluorescent.

Ultimately if you are building this for a cooler running light source and money isn't too much of a concern it will work aslong as you get LEDs of the right spectrum and alot of them. But if cost is a concern MH will be a much cheaper way to go; if you figure most LEDs I think will last about ~5-6yrs at 10hrs a day you'll be doing this again in a few years, if you go MH you'll spend $200-$500 depending on fixture they will normally come with bulbs and if you replace the bulb at about $100 or so a bulb every 8 months you'll spend about $700 dollars on bulbs in 5 yrs (assuming 1 bulb fixture) so about $900-$1200 for 5yrs of lighting.

 

[metalyx]

Therein is the problem I'm trying to solve. led's run much cooler and longer with a lower total power requirement. I'm just trying to refine it.

Thanks.