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Post by scoobnoob on Sept 30, 2015 19:26:45 GMT -5
So Im building a 4ft carribean biotope for a customer. I have a few good ideas about lighting. Im looking to keep gorgs, ricordia, rock nems, and maybe some zoanthids. I have a $400 lighting budget new or used and just want to see what others think. Right now Im leaning toward 2x. 56watt 4 ft Fluval reef 2.0. I know this is a cheaper option but I have an original version running over a softy tank with good results. I could get a used radion and upgrade a wide lense kit but think it will fall short in terms of spread. I could go old school and get a metal halide. Or I could hear a cool idea
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Post by jasonandsarah on Oct 1, 2015 6:18:25 GMT -5
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Post by jmerr86 on Oct 1, 2015 8:07:07 GMT -5
I love my hybrid its not pretty but puts out a blend of color that just isn't like anything else as long as you have hood to hide it being its a customer tank
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Post by Pokahpolice on Oct 1, 2015 8:13:47 GMT -5
^^super important piece when doing a DYI LED fixture. I greatly underestimated the amount of space you need to fit that HUGE power supply and heatsink. They are heavy and very bulky. I don't know why Rapid hasn't addressed the issue. They can make a fixture only a few inches thick, why can't they sell a PSU and heatsink that doesn't weigh 5 pounds each?
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Post by jasonandsarah on Oct 1, 2015 9:21:13 GMT -5
^^super important piece when doing a DYI LED fixture. I greatly underestimated the amount of space you need to fit that HUGE power supply and heatsink. They are heavy and very bulky. I don't know why Rapid hasn't addressed the issue. They can make a fixture only a few inches thick, why can't they sell a PSU and heatsink that doesn't weigh 5 pounds each? Can't you place the power supply separately? My Radions have a huge power supply but it's hidden in my entertainment center so I don't mind  |
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Post by jmerr86 on Oct 1, 2015 10:23:41 GMT -5
Here's the thing I found out about Diy led's you don't need some huge heat sink like they give you in a lot of led kits. Space them out. The reason for the large heat sink or big fans is because all the led's are shoved in a little puck thing so that you get better "blending" I say good optics good spaceing right distance no worries. The t5s will fill in the rest. I run no greens or reds why I ask.... Isn't it thoes sick blues we look for that only come from the led's 2 or 3 10k or 15k t5s will make up the rest on a 4ft tank and did I mention that I run mine at 100% why have 200 something watt fixtures to run them at 50% yes there is the hole topic of gettiing coral acclimated to the led's but then what. 1 year+ now I have been running a string of led's screwed to the bottom of the access area for the ballast of the t5 light I used to build it with no burn outs. I have tried to convince myself so many times I needed some sleak led hanging on wire thing to make my tank better but there is a reason why I haven't its because I just like the way the light looks of a hybrid over everything else. Am I a electronical engineer no. Heck I'm not even a good reef keeper but Isnt that what this form is all about right? Voiceing our opinions on a topic
Sorry for the highjack BTW
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Post by Pokahpolice on Oct 1, 2015 15:05:59 GMT -5
^^super important piece when doing a DYI LED fixture. I greatly underestimated the amount of space you need to fit that HUGE power supply and heatsink. They are heavy and very bulky. I don't know why Rapid hasn't addressed the issue. They can make a fixture only a few inches thick, why can't they sell a PSU and heatsink that doesn't weigh 5 pounds each? Can't you place the power supply separately? My Radions have a huge power supply but it's hidden in my entertainment center so I don't mind Yes, but where becomes the issue, or at least in my case. It's high wattage so needs to be placed somewhere away from water and away from where it can be touched. These power supplies are not plug style. They have exposed wires (somewhat) you cant just slap it on a wall or the side of the cabinet. Wiring also becomes challenging. I have 8 wires looped to the PSU. If aesthetics aren't an issue (like in a canopy) you're all set but one of the largest challenges I found was keeping everything hidden while not killing my budget.  |
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Post by Rakahrd Eastbrook, Me. on Oct 1, 2015 15:28:59 GMT -5
im using
Current USA Orbit Marine LED Saltwater Reef Lighting System from Dr Fosters and Smith. theyre pretty inexpensive and fully programmable .
they seem to work good and so far my zoos and green polyps are still doing well.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Oct 1, 2015 16:39:39 GMT -5
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Post by jmerr86 on Oct 1, 2015 17:20:19 GMT -5
Wire is cheap in the grand scheme of things I cut and extend cords on all kinds of stuff to get it away from the tank just as long as you seal the union well your good to go you would be surprised how far you can go without having power drop. Don't laugh but my supply is a trickle charger for car battery's it dose double duty by keeping battery backup charged
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Post by Pokahpolice on Oct 1, 2015 19:18:09 GMT -5
Sure but at what cost? The PSU I used was like $50. I'm sure you could splice the cord but you'd need to understand how it's wired and then how those wires now need to connect to the drivers? What are you going to use for a controller to dim? Arduino? Where is the controller going to be placed? You'll need a project box to house it. You now need to power that as well which is another pair of wires to the PSU and understanding how to limit the voltage coming in. Want a timer? You'll need a RTC and a power source. I'm not trying to deter you. It was a fun project and I learned a ton. I'm VERY FAR from an expert and honestly could barely speak intelligently on the subject with someone that actually knows what they are doing. I've only built one fixture but it was enough of an experience to know it wasn't cheaper than buying. It probably could be with someone with more knowledge but it nickle and dime me to death. I was in pretty deep. |
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Post by jasonandsarah on Oct 1, 2015 19:22:38 GMT -5
Sure but at what cost? The PSU I used was like $50. I'm sure you could splice the cord but you'd need to understand how it's wired and then how those wires now need to connect to the drivers? What are you going to use for a controller to dim? Arduino? Where is the controller going to be placed? You'll need a project box to house it. You now need to power that as well which is another pair of wires to the PSU and understanding how to limit the voltage coming in. Want a timer? You'll need a RTC and a power source. I'm not trying to deter you. It was a fun project and I learned a ton. I'm VERY FAR from an expert and honestly could barely speak intelligently on the subject with someone that actually knows what they are doing. I've only built one fixture but it was enough of an experience to know it wasn't cheaper than buying. It probably could be with someone with more knowledge but it nickle and dime me to death. I was in pretty deep. So your saying I'd be in over $750? Most likely the gen 4 Radion will be out soon and that would be my alternative. |
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Post by Pokahpolice on Oct 1, 2015 20:26:41 GMT -5
Probably not that much but I was about double my budget by the time I was done. The other thing to consider is that a Radion is going to hold value. My fixture is awesome with a touch screen programmer, 6 color channels, 2 T5 bulbs, lunar cycles, sunrise/sunset, storm simulator cycles, ext. but I can't sell it. It would be too much of a liability to sell, it's a total hack job wiring wise, and would only be worth parting out.
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Post by jmerr86 on Oct 1, 2015 20:49:10 GMT -5
^^^ this I true but I think including the t5 fixture I bought 4 years ago I'm under $400 that's including replacing the ballast once. No I don't have a touch screen or storm mode and a lot of soldering was involved but my main thing is promoting hybrid lighting take the E5s being discussed another thread yes you can go all E5s but I would think one could run 50/50 right
IMO Scoob Ied find an nice t5 fixture under $400 and then sell them on the upgrade down the road plus if you save a little on the light now it might leave more $ in the pot for other goodies
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Post by jasonandsarah on Oct 2, 2015 7:44:20 GMT -5
Probably not that much but I was about double my budget by the time I was done. The other thing to consider is that a Radion is going to hold value. My fixture is awesome with a touch screen programmer, 6 color channels, 2 T5 bulbs, lunar cycles, sunrise/sunset, storm simulator cycles, ext. but I can't sell it. It would be too much of a liability to sell, it's a total hack job wiring wise, and would only be worth parting out. The Aurora puck kit is solderless though and would/could be pretty clean. Don't get me wrong I totally agree with Radions holding there value and it was a big reason I actually decided to spend the money to buy them. I'd love to try an Orphek light and saw they may be coming out with the Atlantik V3 soon. Then again keeping my frag tank and display with the same lighting would make for a lot easier transitions back and forth. If I bought another Radion right now though my body may get found in a river!  |
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