LED Retrofit to existing SM ATS

[Tommyb]

Hi Bryan hope you are well?
Sorry for the time scale on getting back to you in regards to you reply to me on the retro fit of your lighting system to convert to LEDs.
I have found a company that can supply led strips in lengths of 12", 24", 36" and 48" all x 1" (w) x 1" (h)
but my problem is the red led strip they supply Are of the spectrum 700nm infrared.
And I think you said it was to be 660nm spectrum.
would they be ok or to far off to use?
They also do a blue strip of royal blue which are 453nm on the spectrum, would this be the right blue spectrum?
Idea would be to mix strip of red then blue the red etc. to create a grow led arrangement, on both light units.
Or would it be best to go with all reds as you first advised?
I am sorry to say they don't do a mixed light strip of alternate led lights within the single strip of red,blue,red,blue etc.
The website is www.kovenaqautics.com
There is also a review on reef builders to.
I very much hope to hear from you on the above when you have the time.
Many thanks and kind regards Tommy x
Keep well and safe.

[ruddybop]

http://www.kovenaquatics.com

[Tommyb]

http://www.kovenaquatics.com

Many thanks for the info.
I already had the website listed in my post, again thanks!
I am really looking for info for yourself, SM , or others to say yes the 700nm would be ok to use for production of the algae on the sheet and for correct operation of the ATS.
I have good growth and unit at present but changing out t5 tubes and electricity running cost is a big consideration, here in the uk and I prosume in the USA and other regions also.
SM gave me a spectrum requirement of 660nm. But am struggle to find in an alreadyanufactured unit. No problem to get in a single led. But I have no electical or electronic background to know even what components to buy let alone put together.
Any other additional information or alternative if you feel these are not suitable would be great fully appreciated.
Many thanks Tommy

[ruddybop]

Many thanks for the info.
I already had the website listed in my post, again thanks!
Many thanks Tommy

Your link was spelled incorrect and it did not take you to the website... That's why I re-posted the link.... Cheers...

[Tommyb]

Your link was spelled incorrect and it did not take you to the website... That's why I re-posted the link.... Cheers...

Many thanks for that did not even notice.
My fault, not my strongest spelling and grammar!
Need to spell check before posting.
Again thanks for correcting it for me and giving people the correct link.
Kind regards Tommy

[SantaMonica]

I'm not sure about 700nm. I would be afraid to try it. I'd would just do all 660.

[Garf]

700nm is outside the photosynthetic absorption spectrum, so I guess it would be no good.

[Tommyb]

Many thanks for this answer, cheers!
Just been reading on plant growth and they also said anything higher than 670nm was useless.
Any idea where I can get a similar led strip with the 660nm LEDs fitted? Even if it's a reel led that can be cut to length?
Kind regards Tommy

[kerry]

Try this guy, I am sure he will put 660nm LED's in there for you. You could skip the optics more then likely to. I get all my LED's from this guy. http://www.ebay.com/itm/9x3W-21-Expansible-LED-Aquarium-Reef-Corals-lighting-All-white-12-000K-/120923165036?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2795116c#ht_913wt_1110
He might even pop a blue 455nm or two in there for you as well.

[Tommyb]

Many thanks for the information again,

I have been looking at various website etc today and thought rather than removing the existing T5 lighting unit and replacing/retrofitting with LEDs , would it be possible to just replace the T5 tubes with an led T5 tube?

Well to be honest it was my wife that suggested the idea knowing that I am no good at DIY!

I have found the following site and item which if I can contact them to see if they can supply the correct length to suit the lighting unit which came the SM 100 then does any one foresee any problems?

The link is here: hope I get it correct this time!

http://optosun.en.alibaba.com/product/585041478-213126164/High_cost_effective_plant_growing_blue_red_led_tub e.html

Santa Monica hope you can comment also.
Very much look forward to hearing from you on the above.
Kind regards Tommy

[SantaMonica]

You could do that, but Alibaba is not a place to buy them. Just make sure the wattage is about the same as the T5's.

[Tommyb]

Cheers again for the info and heads up.
Addition question I have managed to find a company here in the UK who can supply everything I require for an water proof LED strip so they have hinted to me.
So the length would be 550mm long to suit the lighting fixture of the SM 100.
But can only supply in all Red 660nm strip, and All Blue 435nm (not 100% sure on value of Blue)
would it be possible to run 4 strips, red then blue then red then blue or would not work! Or To much? Or Not enough?
Then can also supply in a 8 colour changing strip with remote so I can possible chane from red and blue only on set times. Ie sunrise sunset between the 2 colours and set the require time transitions.
Again all comments most welcome. I can post links and if required the response email to my initial enquiry to them.
Kind regards Tommy
Or 3 strips red then blue then red

[SantaMonica]

I do not know if you need blue. But all-red will work. At least 50 watts for each side.

[Tommyb]

Agains thanks for reply!
Ok thought that I had read something that introducing an amount of blue increased the algae growth. And do the grow lights not have a blue led repeat with the lighting arrangement?
If you say all red is fine that good enough for me!
On your other point, you said a 50watt on each side ie total of 100watts.
Forgive me if I have got this wrong, I know the led show an increase in yield of the growth which is the most important factor, but are we not trying to reduce heat transfer and reduce electricity usage also?
At present I use the warm white T5 which are 14watts per tube giving a total of 56watts per hr. For all 4 tubes x 18hrs per day running.
To have 50watts of LED per side would be 100watts in total x 18hrs means a doubling of electricity consumption.
Would it not be better to leave unit as is with the T5 tubes.
I am aware of the life cycle if the LED being in the range of 50000hrs so taking this into account not replace tubes every couple of month but this would still possibly be cheaper.
If I have picked it up wrong would be grateful of an explanation.
Look forward to feedback to above and again many thanks learning each day!
Kind regards Tommy

[SantaMonica]

50 LED watts each side is for 9 hours per day.

25 LED watts each side is for 18 hours per day.

Blue does not help much. You can try a little blue if you want.

[Tommyb]

Cheers Bryan, thanks for the additional information!
So basically I am reducing running time by half using 50watts and keeping it the same with on 25watts each side.
Do you have a preferred option ie is it better one way or the othe for growth yeild?
And i will be reducing my change out of T5 bulbs, increasing my algea growth, and all RED led's as long as they are 660nm. Am I following so far?
Is there a preferred wattage per LED? And am I looking for a single light or double light or triple light emitting LED? I take it a single source one would be better? Hope the last question made sense?
Kind Regards Tommy
Look forward to hearing from you on the above.

[SantaMonica]

No other recommendations other than what I already said.

[Tommyb]

Thanks again for all your help, very much appreciated.
Kind regards Tommy

[Tommyb]

Hi all, just an update have managed to get someone to make me a unit he can make them to the required length of 21" so it fits into the existing lighting t5 shell.
Now at this length he tells me that it would give probably a total output per side of 42watts so x2 giving 84watts.
But can make this higher.
Question for SM you suggested that a 50watt per side and can run for 9hrs per day.
So should I see if he can increase to 50 or just over or leave at the 42watts per side and increase the lighting running period time?
I look forward to hearing back from you on the above.
As always many thanks and kind regards Tommy

[SantaMonica]

42 is fine.

[Tommyb]

Cheers Bryan, your a star! Will keep you updated as and when my friend.
Kind regards Tommy

[Tommyb]

Hi again, just got word back from the led build, he has informed me that the red led's will be width 0.3in, depth 0.1in, led chip type 3528SMD, chip spacing of 0.65in between centres, colour RED, lumens 35, ip rating 40, beam angle 120degrees, chips per foot 18. BUT the colour temp is only 625nm!
And not the mentioned 660nm!
Question is will these LED's be any use? Can I give him the go ahead or tell him it's no good?
Or I have to keep looking for someone else who can supply , fabricate?
Very much look forward to hearing from you on the above.
Kind regards and many thanks
Tommy

[Garf]

Not the best;

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/ac302c9f.jpg

[Tommyb]

Cheers for the info. So basically no is the answer need to stick with 660nm and below approx 710nm looking at the graph!
So back to the start again!
Did just come across these link here:
www.elementalled.com/pdf/EF-HDWPRGB.pdf
And here is the webpage link
www.elementalled.com/fertilight-led-grow-light-kit.html
Would these be good for growth of the algae?
The only other option is an infrared option but think its in the 800nm range which I know it no use!
Again many thanks for all your time and help and I look very much forward to replays on the above.
Cheers and thanks Tommy

[Tommyb]

Sorry but don't think the first link works correctly but the webpage works once there if you click on the PDF link it will open the page, ie the first link above which does not work.
Sorry for all the hassel!
Thanks Tommy

[Floyd R Turbo]

yes, you want deep red, but 710 would be way out. The peak right around 660nm or so, but 710 would be well out of that range.

[Tommyb]

Again many thanks for replys.
I know that I am to use 660nm RED LED's.
But I see that using the grow lighting which is a combination of the 660nm Reds either a 450-460nm BLUE LED's. at a guess! providing a mix also has good results.
I am aware that the red speeds blooming, and the blue speeds growing.
Do you think All RED's would be better for the Algea growth in my SM100 or the mix of RED and BLUE growlighting?
Remembering that it will now probably be strip LED's i would need to use.
If I use all RED then Fine,
But if you feel that the Mix/Grow lighting would be better then what ratio, would be best to build?
On the max length per strip would be 21" long to fit within the lighting shell, with probably 3 or 4 strips used per lighting side of the SM100 unit.
2:1 Red:Blue or 3:1 Red:Blue. or 4:1 etc?
I look very much to hearing from you on the above and look forward to your advice,suggestions, feedback. So that i can progress with my retrofit build.
kind Regards Tommy

[Floyd R Turbo]

Dude you were just all over my YouTube posts about the eshine scrubber LOL!!