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Thread: DIY LEDs for the scrubber.

  1. #1

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    DIY LEDs for the scrubber.

    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.

  2. #2
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    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

  3. #3

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

  4. #4
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    Yes

  5. #5

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    This size scrubber isn't over kill is it?

  6. #6
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    How much feeding

  7. #7
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    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-Pl...99671385&rt=nc

  8. #8

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    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?

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  9. #9

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    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!

  10. #10

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    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.

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