Hi all,
I'm very new here (joined today). I've decided that an LED lit ATS built into my overflow is my next reef priority. As you can see from the full tank shot, I'm no stranger to LEDs:
[attachment=1:3m1vqgmt]frameless full tank-sm.jpg[/attachment:3m1vqgmt]
This is the third major Cree fixture I've built, and consists of 156 XR-Es with 20 degree optics running about 36" above the 36"x37"x18" display. Overkill I know, it runs between 450-600mA depending on the string and color and only draws around 250W. I prefer underpowering and having flexibility to turn it up to wishing I had more light
I've decided to try to incorporate three turf scrubber screens into my 6"x12" overflow box in the back of the tank, and drop the water level in the overflow box down as low as I can. Due to the design water already flows in perfect sheets down the inside of the box (~900gph).
[attachment=0:3m1vqgmt]overflow.jpg[/attachment:3m1vqgmt]
I will line the overflow box with 1/8" black ABS sheet, and paint the inside white with krylon fusion to improve reflectivity in the overflow. Then I'll hang roughed up plastic canvas sheets down each of the three sides, and light with LEDs through the back wall of the tank with a flat array slipped between the wall and the tank.
From all my LED tinkering I should have 4 warm white XP-Gs and 8 or 9 cool white XR-Es sitting around to run off a spare Meanwell ELN-60-48.
So my main question is, do you think these 12-13 LEDs will be sufficient to grow turf, or do I need to buy some reds (deep?) too? They are almost as efficient as they come, and the warm white XP-Gs should have a pretty substantial red component. I imagine I'll have a total around 200-250 sq in (6"+12"+6" W x hopefully a good 12"H above the water level in the overflow, minus some area blocked by the plumbing). This should be just about the right flow/area/etc. for the roughly 100g display volume from what I have read in SantaMonica's guide. Just concerned about the lighting since it seems few are using LEDs for turf scrubbers.
Adding red LEDs would complicate things, as they would limit my drive current to 700mA if I put them on the same driver.
Would love to hear everyone's thoughts on the design, and the lighting. FWIW 4 cool white XP-Gs have done an awesome job of growing turf in my fuge, but not sure if turf prefers a different spectrum.
Thanks!
Tim