Biocube nano-reef with Cree LED supplement
JJFizzle2 asked:
This is a test of using high power LEDs to supplement the lighting of a biocube-14 aquarium. As a first test, I’m using 2 Cree XR-E royal blue LEDs.
JJFizzle2 on 05 Jul 2009 at 1:42 pm #
I got them at ledsupply (online store). The site has a spec sheet you can download. If you call them, they will have plenty of info for you.
10stinkyfingers on 06 Jul 2009 at 7:53 pm #
Were can i pick some of the lights up, and do u have the specs on them? If I whent to the store would they know what I’m talking about?
JJFizzle2 on 08 Jul 2009 at 12:11 am #
I was just turning the switches off and on. For this test, I didn’t have the LED unit installed. You could. It would be pretty easy. I later switched to all LEDs. I’ve got another video that shows the full LED retrofit. The new LED assembly fits within the stock hood. I removed the PC bulbs.
teqlab on 10 Jul 2009 at 11:40 am #
Hey cool! You switch back to the stock lighting but on the DIY information it seems the lights don’t co-exist with the standard lights? Do you have all the lights mounted under the hood or did it replace the standard lights? If you could explain how you turn the ’stock’ lights back on that would help! Nice!! Thanks
JJFizzle2 on 13 Jul 2009 at 8:54 pm #
each is at about 2.5w (3.5V & 0.7A). On my full tank setup, I’ve got some at 1000mA and others at 700mA. Those run at 1000mA are using about 3.7W each.
vavoomskill on 15 Jul 2009 at 1:17 pm #
Nice !! look’s like you get a little shimmer with them on:) How many watt’s??
JJFizzle2 on 17 Jul 2009 at 11:56 am #
It’s a Biocube-14. The entire tank is 14 gallons; the display portion is about 12 gal.
jadenboy48 on 17 Jul 2009 at 10:26 pm #
how many gallon is it?
JJFizzle2 on 19 Jul 2009 at 1:29 am #
I have a write-up on Nano-Reef. Do a search for “DIY High Power LED Retrofit”. I’m user name “Waterproof”.
I don’t really understand your question about how to build a nano. If you’re referring to the LEDs, just take a look at my step-by-step guide on nano-reef.
riptor3086 on 19 Jul 2009 at 9:20 pm #
Are you on Reef central forum, whats the best way to go about building a nano.
JJFizzle2 on 21 Jul 2009 at 5:52 pm #
I assume you’re referring to the full LED retrofit shown in the other video. I spent About $90 on LEDs, $45 on drivers, $25 on the heatsink, $20 for fans, and $75 for misc. for a total of about $255. I could have bought cheaper fans, dropped the potentiometers, and used the misc parts that I have laying around and saved about $50-$60. The simple LED supplement shown in this video was only about $45.
canttuchdis on 22 Jul 2009 at 7:14 am #
how much did you spend on your entire setup?
JJFizzle2 on 25 Jul 2009 at 2:23 pm #
in this test, I just held them over the tank. The full install was in the stock hood. I’ll try to shoot a new vid this week.
JJFizzle2 on 28 Jul 2009 at 12:14 pm #
torch coral, pink candy cane, green trumpet, pipe organ, kenya tree, shrooms, ricordea shrooms, misc. polyps/zoas, red kelp, xenia, a couple large frilly mushrooms. That’s about it. The kenya keeps dropping off new frags. There are a couple in the tank. The gsp is kinda out of control. I have a 2nd bunch behind the kenya that needs to go soon.
musicandmodelboy on 31 Jul 2009 at 10:41 am #
and where did you install the LEDs?
musicandmodelboy on 03 Aug 2009 at 6:10 pm #
Cool. Looks like you added more corals. What exactly do you have?
JJFizzle2 on 07 Aug 2009 at 1:11 am #
They help, and look cooler. LEDs put out more PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) than PC bulbs. They also use less power, transfer less heat to the tank, and have a lifetime of 50,000 hrs! Unfortunately, the royal blue LEDs only come in 450nm. Corals are most responsive to 420nm. Still, not bad. I just installed a LED-only lighting system (6 royal blue, 5 cool white) in the BC-14. I’m currently testing how the corals will respond.
musicandmodelboy on 09 Aug 2009 at 1:05 pm #
Do these LED lights actually help with like photosynthetic corals? or do they just make it look cooler?
JJFizzle2 on 12 Aug 2009 at 9:12 pm #
I have them wired in series. I’m using an old laptop power supply (32v, 2.4A). The driver is a 3023 BuckPuck 700mA w/ potentiometer. The driver provides a constant current to the LEDs. The XR-E leds can handle up to 1000mA, but I decided to run them a little less than the maximum. No reflector or optics. The 2 LEDs (mounted on star boards) are just mounted to a CPU heatsink. I’m going to switch out all my lights for LEDs in the near future. I’m just waiting on parts.
hondaguru04 on 14 Aug 2009 at 11:28 pm #
Do you mind giving info of how to wired them up? I.E. what size transformer, and also did you use any reflectors or anything?
JJFizzle2 on 16 Aug 2009 at 4:38 pm #
yeah, the shimmer gets a bit intense when the LEDs are turned all the way up. My plan is to try 3 royal blue LEDS and 1 cool white to balance it out. I think 4 LEDs will be really bright. It may take some time to get the fish acclimated. They were freaking out!
akopley on 20 Aug 2009 at 3:00 am #
even adds the halide shimmer
akopley on 20 Aug 2009 at 11:29 pm #
great video. sweet test. obvious improvement in “pop” when using the LED supplement.
geedunk13 on 21 Aug 2009 at 1:10 pm #
those are some strong leds
uhypukakit on 24 Aug 2009 at 1:08 pm #
uhypukakit…
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