Hello,
As stated in my introduction thread, I am brand new to SW and have started a 100 gallon reef tank where I will be DIY'ing a full spectrum LED build. I have a lot figured out, but need some help with things that I just cannot find answers to.
First, here is some background info.
The tank is 100 gallons with 60" x 18" x 18" dimensions. It is to be a reef tank and the LED lights are going to be 'full spectrum'. I have decided on doing 3x 12" MakersLED heatsinks (http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/makersled-designer-heatsink-kit-professional-grade/) hung over the tank with some adequate spacing. I have chosen to use 108 LED's with the following breakdown and pattern.
9x - OCW - (470,495,660) - http://tinyurl.com/bxovzx7
21x - 3 UP - (450,450,5k) - http://tinyurl.com/a9qym3k
9x - Hyper Violet - (425-230) - http://tinyurl.com/ag9jxqb
9x - True Violet - 405nm - Hyper Violet Solderless LED
They will be in the following format (3 of these). Please note that there is an awesome spot for any missing LED's I might have forgotten at the bottom right.
The LED's will be running off of 5 drivers with the following configuration:
Driver 1 - Half of the Royal Blue's (21 LED's)
Driver 2 - Half of the Royal Blue's (21 LED's)
Driver 3 - Violets (18 LED's)
Driver 4 - Neutral White's (21 LED's)
Driver 5 - OCW's (27 LED's)
These are the drivers that I have chosen: INVENTRONICS or INVENTRONICS ...can someone please tell me the difference and explain why one is better than the other (yes, they are different links, I promise)? Also, I have realized that neither of the controllers will work for the violets, so that will be adjusted.
I want the lights to be dimmable with sunset/sunrise, so I am assuming that I would need something like the DIM4 (http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/dim4-4-port-led-sunrise-sunset-controller-v1-0/) and a dimming module w/pots and knobs (http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/4-channel-dimming-module/). However, I want to run a Apex controller, so I am getting stuck on whether or not I need the DIM4 controller, because isn't that what this is...http://www.neptunesystems.com/led-dimming-module/???
So, to organize and expand on my questions:
1) How does my number of LED's look?
2) For a full spectrum build, would you choose different LEDs? If so, what?
3) Can someone please tell me the difference between the two controllers I have linked and why one is better than the other?
4) Will whatever driver is better from ^ be able to handle the amount of LED's I have specified (they will be run in series)?
5) Do I need the DIM4 assuming that I have the dimming module from Apex (I don't think I do as long as the controllers a 0-10V)?
6) Will what I have selected (Apex dimmer and possibly the DIM4) be sufficient for sunset/sunrise functionality?
7) I would like moonlights...will I be able to run those with what I currently have or will that require more LED's (likely to go into the open space at the bottom right) and another controller?
8) Have I missed anything? I know there are power supplies and what not, but of the main equipment have I forgotten something for getting what I am needing?
I will document the entire build and then produce a kick *** DIY guide and hope that I can share what I have learned and contribute to the community. I am brand spanking new to SW tanks, LED lights, and everything related to them, so all the knowledge that I have gained is through a few specific forums and I would like to give back. Also, as I am sure there will be some concern, I am an engineer by trade, so my mechanical abilities (building, soldering, ect) should be sufficient.
Thanks in advance!
As stated in my introduction thread, I am brand new to SW and have started a 100 gallon reef tank where I will be DIY'ing a full spectrum LED build. I have a lot figured out, but need some help with things that I just cannot find answers to.
First, here is some background info.
The tank is 100 gallons with 60" x 18" x 18" dimensions. It is to be a reef tank and the LED lights are going to be 'full spectrum'. I have decided on doing 3x 12" MakersLED heatsinks (http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/makersled-designer-heatsink-kit-professional-grade/) hung over the tank with some adequate spacing. I have chosen to use 108 LED's with the following breakdown and pattern.
9x - OCW - (470,495,660) - http://tinyurl.com/bxovzx7
21x - 3 UP - (450,450,5k) - http://tinyurl.com/a9qym3k
9x - Hyper Violet - (425-230) - http://tinyurl.com/ag9jxqb
9x - True Violet - 405nm - Hyper Violet Solderless LED
They will be in the following format (3 of these). Please note that there is an awesome spot for any missing LED's I might have forgotten at the bottom right.
The LED's will be running off of 5 drivers with the following configuration:
Driver 1 - Half of the Royal Blue's (21 LED's)
Driver 2 - Half of the Royal Blue's (21 LED's)
Driver 3 - Violets (18 LED's)
Driver 4 - Neutral White's (21 LED's)
Driver 5 - OCW's (27 LED's)
These are the drivers that I have chosen: INVENTRONICS or INVENTRONICS ...can someone please tell me the difference and explain why one is better than the other (yes, they are different links, I promise)? Also, I have realized that neither of the controllers will work for the violets, so that will be adjusted.
I want the lights to be dimmable with sunset/sunrise, so I am assuming that I would need something like the DIM4 (http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/dim4-4-port-led-sunrise-sunset-controller-v1-0/) and a dimming module w/pots and knobs (http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/4-channel-dimming-module/). However, I want to run a Apex controller, so I am getting stuck on whether or not I need the DIM4 controller, because isn't that what this is...http://www.neptunesystems.com/led-dimming-module/???
So, to organize and expand on my questions:
1) How does my number of LED's look?
2) For a full spectrum build, would you choose different LEDs? If so, what?
3) Can someone please tell me the difference between the two controllers I have linked and why one is better than the other?
4) Will whatever driver is better from ^ be able to handle the amount of LED's I have specified (they will be run in series)?
5) Do I need the DIM4 assuming that I have the dimming module from Apex (I don't think I do as long as the controllers a 0-10V)?
6) Will what I have selected (Apex dimmer and possibly the DIM4) be sufficient for sunset/sunrise functionality?
7) I would like moonlights...will I be able to run those with what I currently have or will that require more LED's (likely to go into the open space at the bottom right) and another controller?
8) Have I missed anything? I know there are power supplies and what not, but of the main equipment have I forgotten something for getting what I am needing?
I will document the entire build and then produce a kick *** DIY guide and hope that I can share what I have learned and contribute to the community. I am brand spanking new to SW tanks, LED lights, and everything related to them, so all the knowledge that I have gained is through a few specific forums and I would like to give back. Also, as I am sure there will be some concern, I am an engineer by trade, so my mechanical abilities (building, soldering, ect) should be sufficient.
Thanks in advance!