Re: Ace's ATS v2.0 - LEDs
great build. very nice job. keep us posted please
wondering why ya choose to mix neutral and warm white leds instead of all warm whites? and how did you decide on 6 per side?
and do you have a thread or info on the first version?
thanks
Re: Ace's ATS v2.0 - LEDs
I chose those LEDs because it was just what I had laying around. LOL. I also have some cool whites and royal blues but I didn't think those would be as good to use. I chose 12 LEDs total because that is what one driver does, and it also comes pretty close to matching the PAR output of a 42w CFL at the screen.
My first ATS was more of trial run to learn what to do and not to do.. biggest lesson, don't put equipment in with the ATS, like pumps, live rock, heaters.. they all just get algae growing all over them and clogging the pumps. I tested this using a rubbermaid container as the sump/ATS.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/...ef032c9e_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/...d15e4b1d_z.jpg
Re: Ace's ATS v2.0 - LEDs
Re: Ace's ATS v2.0 - LEDs
Looks very nice! Looking forward to see results!
Re: Ace's ATS v2.0 - LEDs
Looks great, could you post a video of how you clean it?
Re: Ace's ATS v2.0 - LEDs
Just pull 2 velcro tabs and the screen drops right out. Used the same velcro method on my last ATS and the the velcro lasted fine the entire time and never gave me a single problem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wGllg25vvQ
Re: Ace's ATS v2.0 - LEDs
Some thoughts:
It seems like a bit risky of a setup using your overflow, with ball valve on the end like that.
I worry algae will clog up slot, and if that valve is not open enough, it will back up, and into main tank.
Yet if valve is not closed enough, you lose too much flow.
You might want to run a quick test with duct tape over the slot.
As a fix (if it is a problem), run the emergency overflow up in the air, maybe 5" or so, then back down.
Basically, gravity becomes the valve.
I would be a bit surprised if you get optimal growth with that mix of LEDs.
Seems both under powered and not enough red.
But I really like the build. Nice design, well built, and yay, LED.
Re: Ace's ATS v2.0 - LEDs
The valve is open all the way on the overflow, no water comes out right now, all water is going down the slot. If it does start to clog the overflow pipe will come into effect. I ran my old ATS for a year off my overflow in the above picture, never once had a problem with screens clogging.
As far as the LEDs, we will see.. I have plenty of different ones to test with and I do have my own PAR meter and a $3000 spectrometer at my disposal. I do think there is more than enough reds in the warm whites I have, I am more concerned that I don't have enough blues actually.. but I have plenty of time and parts to refine my selection should the need arise. Right now I am getting just over 1500 PAR at the screen with LEDs and have more reds in the spectrum than the old 2700k CFLs I used to run. I was getting 1493 PAR with a 42w CFL at the screen.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/...12d07dc6_z.jpg
Re: Ace's ATS v2.0 - LEDs
yes blue was my concern as well. thats why i asked if you had reasoning behind your led choices. i think the nuetral white spills a lil bit more into the blue end. but im only looking at the cree graph. and estimating.
mind trying that 3000 piece of equipment to work? lol
also it looks like their is about twice the red to blue(ideal ratio i believe) in the warm whites. so i was gonna try just those on mine.
are you using any optics on your leds? if so what angle? i bought 40 60 and 80 to try. just got them in today though so no chance to play yet