Thinking of doing a diy led build
- Thread starter cj22009
- Start date
- Messages
- 4,967
- Reaction score
- 371
the progressive thinking of LED is that in order to have long term success you're going to need more of a full spectrum build than a typical white / blue. I see a lot of the builds going on (on the "other" message board) with green / red/ purple / blue / white and so on.
I CAN tell you that by the time you purchase quality components and invest your time into a project like this that you won't be saving as much as you may think.
The last one I did cost around $500 (a year ago I think) and it was 24 Cree LEDs white and blue.
That being said.. it was a lot of fun to do, and I learned a lot from the experience.
B
Edit: heres the link to the build that I did.
Hope it helps you out
Good luck.
http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43366&highlight=tonight
Edit: Looking back I think the cost was closer to $400 when it was all done.
I CAN tell you that by the time you purchase quality components and invest your time into a project like this that you won't be saving as much as you may think.
The last one I did cost around $500 (a year ago I think) and it was 24 Cree LEDs white and blue.
That being said.. it was a lot of fun to do, and I learned a lot from the experience.
B
Edit: heres the link to the build that I did.
Hope it helps you out
Good luck.
http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43366&highlight=tonight
Edit: Looking back I think the cost was closer to $400 when it was all done.
I did a diy upgrade in my 14g biocube. It was just a bit more expensive than replacing the PC bulbs...so heck yea! haha
I just did, 50/50 white and blue.
I only had one ballast, so control of blue and white separate is to be desired, and I opted to not have dimmable as the cost was significantly higher. I honestly wish I'd have done separate control over the blue and white, and had some sort of UV to make the colors pop, but I don't think I'd really use the dimmable, so that would have been money wasted.
Mine was only a 12 led setup, but all in all it only ran me like $50 and an hour of work. Worth every penny and drop of sweat.
I just did, 50/50 white and blue.
I only had one ballast, so control of blue and white separate is to be desired, and I opted to not have dimmable as the cost was significantly higher. I honestly wish I'd have done separate control over the blue and white, and had some sort of UV to make the colors pop, but I don't think I'd really use the dimmable, so that would have been money wasted.
Mine was only a 12 led setup, but all in all it only ran me like $50 and an hour of work. Worth every penny and drop of sweat.
- Messages
- 136
- Reaction score
- 0
I think with the increasing competition and knowledge, the components have gotten considerably cheaper than they used to be. I was looking at a similar setup to the one you had in the build thread, and I *think* it can put it all together for ~$250 if you do some shopping. I also think that the whole "3-up" thing people are trying to use now to eliminate the "disco effect" seems neat, but I'd like to see it in person over a tank.
Think you'll ever do another DIY LED build?
A DIY may run around the same but at least you can put the components into it that you want, not what someone else places into it. I used Ali Express and bought all my LED's through them. I use Bridgelux and they are very good, nice coloration and growth. Bought some computer fans from Micro Center along with the power supply. The drivers are from Steve's LED's.
Similar threads
