LED for 14g Biocube Question?

[redbeanss]

I have been looking into some LED fixtures. I was thinking about doing away with my hood and fashioning my own fixture using store-bought LED strips to hang over the tank. I was looking at some of these strips and wondering if and how many of these strips it would take to provide adeqaute light for my little reef. Here are a few of the strips was looking at. Any thoughts or suggestions?

http://www.marinedepot.com/Ecoxotic_Panorama_12W_LED_Module_w_Transformer_Linkable_LED_Light_Fixtures-Ecoxotic-XX08200-FILTFILDLK-vi.html">Ecoxotic</a>

[IMG]http://www.marinedepot.com/Current_USA_PowerBrite_LED_Linking_Model_Only_Linkable_LED_Light_Fixtures-Current_USA-CU01644-FILTFILDLK-vi.html">Current USA</a>

 

[lilrobb]

I have this tank and two ecoxotic strips over it - great light!

 

[jennm]

We have one Panorama 12 W strip in our Aquapod. We changed it up in January.

Check out our "then and now" pix in my last newsletter.

http://imagine-ocean.com/node/180">http://imagine-ocean.com/node/180</a>

You can click on the photos for a larger view. And I'm a lousy photographer, but you can see the difference in the size of the specimens between then and now, and the colours POP!

Jenn

 

[snowmansnow]

you can DIY, but it isn't cheaper... it is, however, fun and educational I'm sure folks have retrofitted your tank canopy before.

 

[schwaggs]

I just picked up a Panorama and am quite impressed with the build quality. 12 LEDs driven at 1W each with a decent heat sink and splash shield. It appears every bit as bright as a 28W CF 50/50 bulb.

You could DIY one with the 3W Cree LEDs for less (4 X $6 + 20 for the driver and $10 for a strip of aluminum = $54 plus shipping) but you wouldn't have nearly as neat of a package. I would be tempted to go that route if you need more light than one of the Panarama's can provide.

 

[eandrews]

The ecoxotics from JennM are the best for the buck. I have 2 in the RedSeaMax and love em!

 

[redbeanss]

This what I'm leaning towards now. Will this put out enough light for acro and other SPS? I am thinking one of these will be enough hanging over my bc14.

 

[redbeanss]

JennM;551118 wrote: We have one Panorama 12 W strip in our Aquapod. We changed it up in January.

Check out our "then and now" pix in my last newsletter.

http://imagine-ocean.com/node/180">http://imagine-ocean.com/node/180</a>

You can click on the photos for a larger view. And I'm a lousy photographer, but you can see the difference in the size of the specimens between then and now, and the colours POP!

Jenn[/QUOTE]

Jenn do you think one of these is enough light for acro or SPS?

 

[pufferchris]

Check with elephant he has a led build thread very clean work

 

[schwaggs]

redbeanss;551290 wrote: This what I'm leaning towards now. Will this put out enough light for acro and other SPS? I am thinking one of these will be enough hanging over my bc14.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Ecoxotic_PAR38_LED_Aquarium_Lamp_-Ecoxotic-XX06850-FILTBULD-vi.html">[B]Ecoxotic PAR38 LED Aquarium Lamp[/B]</a>[/B][/QUOTE]


That looks to have a lot of power but the 40 degree optics might create too small of a spot of light in the center of your tank unless you place it a couple feet above the tank.

 

[misu]

I have 3 21W bulbs over a 24gal aquapod and I'm growing easy SPS just fine

 

[markl]

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=188085&hl=">http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=188085&hl=</a>

Here you go . Its nice being able to dim the leds down if its to much.

 

[j_j_]

just bought 12 of those panorama strips for my 180 hopefully will have up & running by the end of week. I plugged 4 of them and was blown away by the color and shimmer on the tank.

 

[thomas138]

Go with the ecoxotic, maybe two of em :thumbs:

I love mine

 

[eandrews]

J.J.;551338 wrote: just bought 12 of those panorama strips for my 180 hopefully will have up & running by the end of week. I plugged 4 of them and was blown away by the color and shimmer on the tank.

12? YOWZERS... I pondered this with the 125 but the initial cost is huge..

 

[misu]

J.J.;551338 wrote: just bought 12 of those panorama strips for my 180 hopefully will have up & running by the end of week. I plugged 4 of them and was blown away by the color and shimmer on the tank.

I want to see this too, what corals do you intend to keep in there?

 

[thomas138]

EANDREWS;551383 wrote: 12? YOWZERS... I pondered this with the 125 but the initial cost is huge..

Wowzers :wow2: Did you get 12 individual strips or two of the fixtures?(6 strips each) Thats gotta look amazing

 

[redbeanss]

I just ordered a PAR38 12000 60 degree. I had a local glass company cut me a piece of plexi to cover my tank. Now I just have to fabricate a fixture. I'm heading to Lowes after work to get some ideas. I am probably going to buy some kind of plant hanger to mount to the wall and dangle the lamp from that, but I'm open to any suggestions.

 

[jennm]

redbeanss;551295 wrote: Jenn do you think one of these is enough light for acro or SPS?

I'm not sure. I'm trying to convince Brian to move the frogspawn out (it's getting big) and try an acro or something in there to see how it does. So far he's resisting that suggestion but before long the frogspawn *will* need to be moved out (so might the rose anemone, unless it splits!)



Jenn

 

[misu]

the par38 has a lot more light than the panorama, if it's really in the spotlight and close enough you can grow them fine. I think I almost bleached a birdsnest but granted I had 3 and they had the stock 40 degree lenses so light was really focused and the frag was 5" deep.