LEDs seem to always be hot topic in all the reef forums.  Seems more and more people are trying them and having success, but the cost continues to hold most back.  That being said, I stumbled across this site. WWW.reefledlights.com.  They sell DIY kits, the Deluxe kit appears to have everything you need part wise.  Looks very interesting!  I don't know how to sauder, but it would make for a fun project.  And the PAR you get using optics is very nice!!  Check out the two links. One is the specs using different optics and the other is a video of the guys daughter putting the kit together.http://www.reefledlights.com/how-to-diy-led/optics-evaluation/...... http://www.reefledlights.com/led-kits/delux-led-strip-kit/
checkout this diy build in progress... http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/red-sea-max-owners-club/62642-diy-led-rsm-130-a-3.html#post860924
I got mine from Rapid led www.rapidled.com , I ordered 60 degree optics but my LEDs are so close to the water i haven't put the optics on yet because it will fry my corals. Thanks Glen
Hey Blackfish, I'm not in the Army National Gaurd.  NorahsDad, Glad to see someone else using LEDs. Did you build your unit or buy I fixture? I'm thinking of putting optics on mine.....my tank is 30in deep. Also, I found a series of YouTube videos where a guy is putting together a DIY LED build from www.rapidLED.com and he makes it look super simple. And aquarium AWESOME!
Yeah I build my own watched the videos and did what he said to do in them and it worked! I can dim mine up or down just like in his videos. your tank is twice as deep as mine so yes to optics. I also did some reading here... http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=186982Â and here http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=200335Â that helped alot too. Thanks Glen
Great links! I've had one of my two LED units for just over a year and the other not quite a year. Even without optics they grow coral very well and produce very nice color. I'm moving to a SPS dominated setup and currently I only have one monti below the 15in mark. It's doing great....but it's a monti....not light demanding. I'm hoping with optics I can place SPS near the bottom if I choose. Norahs_dad, how long have you had your LEDs going and what kind of coral are you growing?
Only had mine running one string for two weeks and anther for one week so I can say much yet and when I do keep in mind I have alto of other light under the hood but I know it was the LEDs that put me over the top for the light needed for SPS growing. Glen PS had written out a much bigger post but when I hit the spell check on here and then preview it eat it not going to type all that out again. will know next time not to use the spell check button on here and just use the ieSpell.
Glen regarding using spell check & losing what you typed, happens to me all the time & cut & paste corupts - when it disapears click on preview & it usally re-apears... bet you are using IE - I have to use another browser or I have problems a lot... forum really has problems with IE, I have started using Google Chrome & it works well, as does firefox. Calvin knows about it, but I am not sure he has a fix for IE
Norahs_dad, do you have experience working with electronics? I'm curious about the general difficulty putting together the LED for a lay person with 0 experience.Â
working on it, but as I've stated before Microsh*t refuses to make quality products that adhere to standards set forth by the internet's governing body. I will make it all work in IE, but it's gonna take a little time. In the meantime you should give Firefox a try. It looks almost the same as IE, just without the bugs and annoying pitfalls of IE. Here's a link http://www.mozilla.com/
Firefox is a very good browser & works great - anyone having problems... give it a try ! Thanks Calvin for all you do to support the forum !
I had to watch videos on soldering, using Volt/amp meters and hooking them up LOL. Before that I could replace a light ceiling fan or socket that was about it. If you do decide to get a kit or order the parts let me know if you get the same mean well ELN- 60-48D one as me and if you run into trouble I will just look at mine and tell you what wire go to what, lol seriously be careful though I do respect electricity. thanks Glen
New LEDs - with par level numbers included... if interested http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/boo ... post892031
I don't know a lot about them & just got my RSM 250 with six T5's which will grow anything I want - just sharing a post as I know many do like them PRE-SALE Offer of $299.99 with FREE SHIPPING. Expected ship date is end of January 2011. Pre-Sale ends when the number of fixtures ordered has been reached. BoostLEDâ„¢ is proud to introduce our NEW Mu Series 135W LED Module which features a combination of Cool White, Royal Blue, and Violet (420nm) LED's to give your tank a very crisp 14,000 Kelvin look. There are two separate switches and cords so that you can hook them up to controllers/timers. One of the switch/cord will control Royal Blue and Violet LED's, which can be used to simulate dusk and dawn lighting. These fixtures are GREAT for larger tanks or tanks with depths greater than 18". Each fixture will provide excellent light coverage for a 24" x 20" area and provide great PAR output that rivals metal halide setups. Low power consumption and high energy efficiency make these ideal for eco-conscious reefers. PAR results (in micromoles/m^2/sec) with Apogee Quantum PAR meter are as follows: At LED Module Surface - 3700 Water Surface (fixture 5" away) - 1750 5" below water surface - 582 12" below water surface - 320 18" below water surface - 241 24" below water surface - 121
