My DIY LED for 90G Reef

[ReefMan76]

My 90 gallon aquarium is 48" long. I decided to use 60 CREE XR-E Led's to light the tank, with the choice of 30 Q5 white and 30 XP-G Royal Blue. I'm using 60 degree CREE optics. I purchased 5 Meanwell eln 60-48 versions "d", driver.
I also ordered one 8.460 Profile 42 Inch Aluminum heat sinks and some Arctic Alumina Thermal Adhesive. I will post pics. when every thing shows up.

[The Saltwater Kid]

Sweet!!! LED is the future in aquarium lighting. Are you going to have the ability to adjust the light output and change color spectrums? Please post LOT'S of pics and if you wouldn't mind listing the prices for all the equipment involved so people can decide if they want to pursue a project like this for their tanks. Personally I can't wait, it's gonna' be awesome looking!!!

[firecatf7]

I see the panels on ebay for sale, seems like a cheaper way to go. But I'm not smart enough to understand what I would need or what what it equals in watts?

[ReefMan76]

I got my lights lenses and drivers from a group buy on nano reef.
60 lights $5.30 each $318.00
60 lenses $1.00 each $60.00
5 meanwell drivers $26.00 each $130.00
Rapid LED.com
1 Arctic Alumina Thermal Adhesive $14.00 each $14.00
heatsinkusa.com
1 8.460 Inch Profile heatsink 42" $110.00
total right now $632.00

The meanwell drivers are dimmable. I can control them with an apex controller or build a dimmer for around $20.00 dollar a lot cheaper than an apex controller but I really like that apex.

[ReefMan76]

You can get kits from Rapid LED.com but you will pay more. try to get in to a group buy it's cheaper.

[Erik]

Wow, that's pretty sweet. Let us all know how it turns out.

[joel1234567]

...anxiously awaiting updates...

[ReefMan76]

waiting for the group buy order to come in.

[ReefMan76]

After 12 weeks I finally got my led lights in and drivers. I am going to start building this week. Here is some pic. Of the leds, drivers, lens and heat sink.

[ReefMan76]

Pics of led lights and lens.

[Jeremiah]

out of curiosity, why thermal adhesive vs. heatsink compound- easier than drilling and tapping screw holes?

[ReefMan76]

I picked thermal adhesive because it holds very well it’s a 2 part epoxy. I did not look at heat sink compound and for the drilling and tapping it’s a lot of work and when you solder the leds you could solder to a screw head and ground out the leds lights.

[ReefMan76]

I mounted the led lights today and started soldering the leds and started wiring the drivers. I hope two have the led light done by next weekend and mounted above my tank. Here are some of the pics from today.

[Erik]

That looks awesome!
I'd love to do something like this for my 180 when it comes time, but it'd be about as expensive as doing a T-5 retrofit.

I'm definitely interested in hearing how it works out for you.

[joel1234567]

Bad @ss. That's the coolest DIY I've seen. Here is me, green with envy -->

[ReefMan76]

It’s expensive to start out but right know it cost me $30.00 dollars a month for my MH and VHO to run. And for the led lights it’s around $5.00 to $6.00 dollars a month plus I don’t have to buy bulbs every year. And I am going to sell my old MH and VHO light fixture it should pay for its self in about 18 months. Here are some pics for today. The leds are about 2 times brighter that the MHs.

[Jeremiah]

That looks awesome!
I'd love to do something like this for my 180 when it comes time, but it'd be about as expensive as doing a T-5 retrofit.

But with a few benefits if the light is strong enough. Quite a bit less electrical consumption, an no bulbs to buy for at least a few years, which might pay for a retrofit in itself.

[christmasclowns]

love this diy!!!!

[ReefMan76]

Today I finished wiring the leds to the drivers. More pics

[ReefMan76]

Everything is wired all I have left to do is get some lux reading to see where to dim the leds to. I am going to try to get the leds close to my MH and over time turn them up. I don’t want to shock my coral with the bright light. More pics.