DIY LEDs for the scrubber.

[Spotted]

Ok I'm building a scrubber. I want to go with LEDs for lighting because of the space savings, heat level and efficiency. I need help. I've got a rather large scrubber, 10"X6". If we go by the watt per inch guideline fat means I need 20 3 watt LEDs. Is that right?
I may cut it way down. I have a 120 gallon SW tank. I feed a lot! I figure bigger is better? (Like most of 'Merica does)
Let me know if this sounds right. ATM I have a 23 watt cfl to get things started. It's better than nothing, no?
Also if I do cut down the LEDs to say 4-5, what drives are you guys using for such a small number of LEDs and what let silly?
Thanks and sorry... I'm such a newb.

[SantaMonica]

Welcome.

A total of 1/2 watts of LED is ok for each square inch of surface. So 10 of the 3w LEDs is ok, 5 on each side. 8 or 10 on each side might be better once it is growing.

RapidLED has lots of drivers, and we have ours for up to 6 LEDs here...
http://www.santa-monica.cc/LED-driver_p_58.html

[Spotted]

Is it ok to have the 120 cfl there in the mean time?

[SantaMonica]

Yes

[Spotted]

This size scrubber isn't over kill is it?

[SantaMonica]

How much feeding

[atoll]

Often DIY builds work out more expensive and not ideal esp when you can buy something like this on the bay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30W-LED-Plant-Grow-Light-Hydroponic-Lamp-IP65-24-Red-6-Blue-led-Plant-Floodlight/361234183186?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D29973%26meid%3D1822c51802b447d2ba7879a2fc08 85f2%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D2913 99671385&rt=nc

[Spotted]

Ok, so I built an LED array with 10 3 watt 660 nm leds. Before I had the LED built I had a CFL spotlight on a single side of the screen for about a week and I had a little growth on the screen. I replaced the CFL with the LEDs and a week later the screen is now has lost it's growth.
The screen is still single sided. I will be adding another 10 LEDs on the other side once I get more time.
I have included pics. I don't have any pictures of the growth with the CFL though...
Any suggestions?

61726171617061696168

[Crusinjimbo]

Additional information on the tank size, water test parameters and critter population would help but I can say that 7 days of operation is way too short. I would also add that one of my early ATS attempts had the screen in the sump and the lights outside projecting through the sump glass and it was a major pita because it grew more algae on the glass than the screen. Good luck!

[Bacon]

LEDs are way too close to the screen. You're causing photosaturation. Need to back them off a bit. Also is that an acrylic sump? The LEDs are intense and if they are right up against the sump (like within 1/2") then you will eventually cause crazing on the acrylic right in front of them.

[Spotted]

Yes it is an acrylic sump. Yes they are right up on it. How far should I move them back?
As far as parameters go. I'm reading 0 phosphate with a Hanna ultra low range meter. 0 ammonia, nitrate and nitrite. 480 calcium, 11.2dkh alk, 1480 mag.
Inhabitants, there are 2 clowns, a hippo tang, tomini tang, 3 chromis, yellow tail damsel, sunshine damsel. A cleaner shrimp, fire shrimp, CUC of turbos, nass snails, blue leg hermits, 2 serpent stars.

[Spotted]

Or how about if I cut the number of LEDs in half? Maybe instead of 10 on one side, 5 on both sides? Spaced 2-3 inches?

[Bacon]

You want at least 1/2" of clearance to acrylic, if not a bit more. Reds are not so critical to worry about vs blues, which will cause damage more quickly (over time - months). LED spacing is fine but it might help to diffuse them with a cheap piece of diffuser. # of LEDs is probably fine, how would you light both sides though?