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The LED Take Over

Discussion in 'Buy/Sell/Trade' started by ThyRaven, Jul 29, 2012.

  1. ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

    919
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    So I am selling off my coral in a different thread well actually someone has already bought then just pending pick up.  I hate to see them go but I don't have the lighting to keep them alive much longer so that prompt the sell off and also this LED Take Over thread.  I want to get into corals but I want lighting that can keep the growing and healthy and also cheap to run over the course of a couple years.
    So far I've found 200 LEDs 50/50 cool white and extreme royal blue and 3 - MeanWell CLG-150-48B, 80 degree optics..  Still working out how I am going to place all the LEDs and not sure if all of them will go over my 135/210 yet.
    Links for those that are curious as to what I've found:
    Driver - http://www.aquastyleonline.com/products/MeanWell-CLG%252d150%252d48B.html - $80 a piece - can drive 5 parallel strings of 12 LEDs eachRoyal Blue LEDs - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320938609669 - $67 for 100 LEDsCool White LEDs - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320948893329 - $42 for 100 LEDsOptics - http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-pcs-Cree-High-Power-Led-Optical-Lens-80-Degree-/170630941342?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27ba658a9e - $3 for 10 or $60 for 200(unless discounted for bulk)U Channel for Heat Sinks - http://www.lowes.com/pd_55981-37672-11385_0__?productId=3058185&Ntt=aluminum+u+channel - $9 per 8 foot piece
    Looks like I am around $430 already so probably need to look for better deals or cut back on LEDs but then again I could still get all 200 and maybe use some over my sump for my mangroves and then if I ever set up a frag tank I could put some there to.  Not sure I really need 66 LEDs per section of my tank.  Anyone want to chime in?
    I've also found this kit - http://www.aquastyleonline.com/prod...e-Kit.html - only think missing is the heat sinks and I'd just use the U Channel linked above.  This kit would mean 40 LEDs per section on my tank.  Is that enough?
    I was jobless for almost 4 months so this isn't going to be a quick project either.  This will probably be something I slowly buy parts for and build over the next 3 months or so as I just got back to work, playing catch up on bills suck.
    Recommendations and links to better deals and reading material greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  2. Bela

    Bela Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    While I don't have links to better deals, I can say that I have read nothing but bad things about "eBay" LEDs. There is probably a reason they are selling them at $.42 and $.67 a pop. Everything I read basically comes to the conclusion that you wouldn't be saving any money in the long haul because they either burn out sooner, or simply do not have the output that the higher quality bulbs do.
    Please do understand that my "expertise" is completely from reading. I am nowhere near a trained electrician, but I know we have some of those around here, so hopefully they chime in. I just hate to see you get burned, especially on a budget. When I built my set I got in on a MASSIVE LED group buy from rapid LED. While prices weren't anywhere near the eBay bulbs, I think I was getting them for around $2.00 a piece. The guy that did the ordering was awesome. He tested each bulb before shipping out and shipped everything to everyone for the cost of shipping and materials. Even with adding shipping to the mix, we came out MUCH cheaper with top quality product. They were working on the order for something like 3-6 months though, so that is a consideration. The order ended up being thousands of LEDs, and dosens of potentiometers and drivers, so the bulk discounts were massive.
    As far as the heat sink, you have the same idea as me. I made my heat sink out of U channel and it kept everything nice and cool. No complaints there. But don't forget you will either need thermal adhesive/pads or thermal grease and screws to hold down each LED as well.
     
  3. Armydog

    Armydog Expert Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +738 / 8 / -0
    http://shop.stevesleds.com/SPS-Grade-LED-Retrofit-Kit-Package-64-84-tanks-SPS-Retrofit-Kit-64-84.htm check this out maybe this would work better for you and they are really good and cheap
     
  4. Armydog

    Armydog Expert Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +738 / 8 / -0
    I have stevesleds retro kit and will be getting another from them excelent customer service and a great guy
     
  5. ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

    919
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Was looking to keep this more towards the $350 range. I love Steve. He is a great guy to talk to. I worked with him a couple times when I worked at GoDaddy.
     
  6. Kpotter2 Expert Reefkeeper

    North liberty, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    http://www.aquastyleonline.com/
     
  7. ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

    919
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Yea I linked to their 108 LED kit in my main post Kyle, lol. I am starting to lean more than direction as I dont want crappy quality LEDs that may burn out in a couple months.
     
  8. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    I think you'll save yourself money in the long run by saving a little longer and doing the build correctly. No point in spending $350 bucks on a light fixture and having to redo it for twice the price in a year because you bought crap components.
     
  9. ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

    919
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    I understand that. Heck I've toyed with the idea of getting AIs or even the new Raideons but that is to rich for my blood.
     

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