Hey folks,
First...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbb8uhNGpCc">THIS VIDEO</a> is what convinced me to go with the Lumia 5.2 LED. This guy's tank is pretty impressive, and his opinion on the different options pulls alot of weight with me given how many options hes explored, and ultimately what he landed on.
I have had a couple requests for information regarding my current LED build. To start, I figured I would list all the components that I went with. Most of these items are available from a single place, though you can save a bit of cash if you shop smartly for the same items other places.
My fixture first off is intended for an SPS tank, and therefor is likely more than what some of you would need, but this should give you an idea of what you would need in the some of the most demanding situations. This is also for my 6' long 2' deep tank (180g). Anyway here goes:
[IMG]http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/cree-lumia-5-2-70w-full-spectrum-5-channel-cree-led/">6 x Lumia 5.2 LEDs</a> - You would need 3 with interconnect, and 3 dual molex because these are run in pairs (wired in series).
[IMG]http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server2200/b4d7d/products/249/images/995/lowres_LED_nov25_015__43522.1385941842.1280.1280.jpg?c=2" alt="" />
LED Drivers: you would need 3x [IMG]http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/meanwell-ldd-700h-led-driver/">LDD-700H</a>, 2x [IMG]http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/meanwell-ldd-1000h-led-driver/">LDD-1000H</a> drivers, and 2x SCW08C-12 DC converters for each PAIR of Lumias
Total: 9x LDD-700H, 6x LDD-1000H, 6x SCW08C-12 (these are available at Mouser Electronics)
The PCB boards: I used 3 O2Surplus PCBs (circuit boards that hold all the drivers, and greatly minimize the amount of wires needed) are built by a guy named O2Surplus. Unfortunately he does not ahve a web store. You need to hit him up on ReefCentral.com via PM and he will mail them to you. They are $30/ea and WELL worth it. They are far more powerful than the PCBs that ledgroupbuy.com sells, such as the Coralux 5up.
[IMG]http://www.playsofrays.photos/">Here is a fantastic link to learn more about this PCB, and it even has good info on the build in general</a>
Picture below
[IMG]//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160511/efa7e057a861a1f6b8473d4d0bd77c97.jpg alt="" />
Controller: http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/bluefish-mini-ldd-controller/">Bluefish mini</a>. This is an amazingly powerful controller...far far more powerful than any other lighting controller available that I have found. They are $100, and available at ledgroupbuy.com as well.
[IMG]http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server2200/b4d7d/products/282/images/1153/blufish_mini_proto__30985.1424744805.1280.1280.jpg?c=2" alt="" />
Heatsink: This is the primary "fixture" and its what holds all the components together, as well as keeping your LEDs cooled :). I went with the[IMG]http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/makersled-designer-heatsink-kit-professional-grade-anodized/"> professional grade Makers Heatsink 72</a>". Here is a picture of it in the box:
[IMG]//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160514/f2f87b3c616eeb44f1aca26ddb7554a5.jpg alt="" />
Power Supplies: I used 3x http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/180w-48v-3-75a-dc-power-supply/">180w powersupplies</a> One of these are needed for each pair of Lumias. The pic below shows the powersupplies, the LEDs, and the molex connectors that connect the LEDs together and to the PCB:
[IMG]//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160514/2038e7a95814bde90b64a95f114d1c39.jpg alt="" />
In general, these are the main components. You will also need power cords, and wire, as well as some short network cables to connect the PCBs in series. That is one of the great features of the O2Surplus PCB...its cake to connect several PCBs in series, so that a single controller will control an entire array of LEDs. Note: Each PCB can only drive 2 Lumia 5.2s. It is probably best to add these in pairs as needed to make the best use of the hardware. I chose to go with 6, but adding two more would be easy to do.
That is all i have for now. As I start getting this built, i will try to add more info. I know this sounds complicated (and it is not for a COMPLETE novice), but trust me when I say its not as complicated as it looks. If you have any tinkering ability at all, I am confident you can do this too!
First...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbb8uhNGpCc">THIS VIDEO</a> is what convinced me to go with the Lumia 5.2 LED. This guy's tank is pretty impressive, and his opinion on the different options pulls alot of weight with me given how many options hes explored, and ultimately what he landed on.
I have had a couple requests for information regarding my current LED build. To start, I figured I would list all the components that I went with. Most of these items are available from a single place, though you can save a bit of cash if you shop smartly for the same items other places.
My fixture first off is intended for an SPS tank, and therefor is likely more than what some of you would need, but this should give you an idea of what you would need in the some of the most demanding situations. This is also for my 6' long 2' deep tank (180g). Anyway here goes:
[IMG]http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/cree-lumia-5-2-70w-full-spectrum-5-channel-cree-led/">6 x Lumia 5.2 LEDs</a> - You would need 3 with interconnect, and 3 dual molex because these are run in pairs (wired in series).
[IMG]http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server2200/b4d7d/products/249/images/995/lowres_LED_nov25_015__43522.1385941842.1280.1280.jpg?c=2" alt="" />
LED Drivers: you would need 3x [IMG]http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/meanwell-ldd-700h-led-driver/">LDD-700H</a>, 2x [IMG]http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/meanwell-ldd-1000h-led-driver/">LDD-1000H</a> drivers, and 2x SCW08C-12 DC converters for each PAIR of Lumias
Total: 9x LDD-700H, 6x LDD-1000H, 6x SCW08C-12 (these are available at Mouser Electronics)
The PCB boards: I used 3 O2Surplus PCBs (circuit boards that hold all the drivers, and greatly minimize the amount of wires needed) are built by a guy named O2Surplus. Unfortunately he does not ahve a web store. You need to hit him up on ReefCentral.com via PM and he will mail them to you. They are $30/ea and WELL worth it. They are far more powerful than the PCBs that ledgroupbuy.com sells, such as the Coralux 5up.
[IMG]http://www.playsofrays.photos/">Here is a fantastic link to learn more about this PCB, and it even has good info on the build in general</a>
Picture below
[IMG]//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160511/efa7e057a861a1f6b8473d4d0bd77c97.jpg alt="" />
Controller: http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/bluefish-mini-ldd-controller/">Bluefish mini</a>. This is an amazingly powerful controller...far far more powerful than any other lighting controller available that I have found. They are $100, and available at ledgroupbuy.com as well.
[IMG]http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server2200/b4d7d/products/282/images/1153/blufish_mini_proto__30985.1424744805.1280.1280.jpg?c=2" alt="" />
Heatsink: This is the primary "fixture" and its what holds all the components together, as well as keeping your LEDs cooled :). I went with the[IMG]http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/makersled-designer-heatsink-kit-professional-grade-anodized/"> professional grade Makers Heatsink 72</a>". Here is a picture of it in the box:
[IMG]//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160514/f2f87b3c616eeb44f1aca26ddb7554a5.jpg alt="" />
Power Supplies: I used 3x http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/180w-48v-3-75a-dc-power-supply/">180w powersupplies</a> One of these are needed for each pair of Lumias. The pic below shows the powersupplies, the LEDs, and the molex connectors that connect the LEDs together and to the PCB:
[IMG]//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160514/2038e7a95814bde90b64a95f114d1c39.jpg alt="" />
In general, these are the main components. You will also need power cords, and wire, as well as some short network cables to connect the PCBs in series. That is one of the great features of the O2Surplus PCB...its cake to connect several PCBs in series, so that a single controller will control an entire array of LEDs. Note: Each PCB can only drive 2 Lumia 5.2s. It is probably best to add these in pairs as needed to make the best use of the hardware. I chose to go with 6, but adding two more would be easy to do.
That is all i have for now. As I start getting this built, i will try to add more info. I know this sounds complicated (and it is not for a COMPLETE novice), but trust me when I say its not as complicated as it looks. If you have any tinkering ability at all, I am confident you can do this too!
