60" DIY Cree LED Fixture (480watts) - Build Thread

I would like to think I could pull something like this off... However, this looks really good!!

 

I bought some cheap led's that only have blue and white bulbs. I also had some cheap t5's that the ballast burnt up. My question is To do a light very similar to yours would it be significantly less that buying say 3 Radions to go over a 125G tank?

Here is the link to my cheap lights. I was thinking of taking my LED apart and replacing the bulbs

 

I can't say that it'll be any cheaper, I'm into this fixture for about 1400-1500 at the moment and it's still not finished, but that's because I'm going even bigger with it now 8) adding 400 watts of compacts fluorescents or T5's haven't decided yet.

When it comes to DIY, you need to have the right tools, for instance with my light I chose to buy a Hakko FX888D soldering station for the build. Also the cost of connectors, wire and switches, etc... it all adds up.
With electronics if you have a good idea how it all works and you feel like you can test for faults and human errors and have the right tools, then DIY is for you. If not the radion might be your better choice. Personally I like the options DIY has over pre-manufactured light systems but that's just me.

In the end it becomes a personal choice, having the right tools and know-how to get the project done is a must. No sense in having spent all kinds of money on something that just sits there.

 

Very very nice looking DIY. Love the cleanliness of the build.

 

DIY is the way to go ! Nice! Its so much cheaper than buying one of those expensive fixtures, that got the same bulbs you can buy from china for a couple of dollars. Keep us updated

 

Definitely looks like an awesome build I will follow till the end. I want to see the finished product. Looks a lot more professional than a lot of the ones Ive seen built on youtube.

 

very nice!! you make us aircraft mechanics' work look dirty lol...was showing it around work today to fellow hobbyist. I did notice that you used strip LEDs as well. I apologize if I missed it anywhere but I didn't see what type and color that was you used.

 

Good stuff!! I built this with a lot of patience but one thing I do regret is not drilling through holes for the short wires but I lack a drill press which made it really difficult to accomplish another 200 holes. I think it would of cleaned up the face of the fixture and made even cleaner but in the end this fixture claimed both my cordless batteries and was left dead in the water sort of speak lol.

As for those strip lights, I have 4 meters of Amber LED's that are intended for a "sunrise/sunset" effect. If they're bright enough I plan to pick up a dimmable driver for them so I can use them with a controller

Thank you all for the compliments!! I will definitely keep you updated!!

 

Here's me toying around with an old MH Coralife fixture I picked up for 40 bucks <--- working I might add, just cosmetic damage which is an easy fix.





I am liking the idea of adding some Actinic bulbs because this LED setup was intended for freshwater planted tank hence the ratio of LED's. Since I've change my mind so many times waiting to setup my 225g I've finally come up with a plan. I sold my Frontosa's and setting up the 225g as a SPS dominant tank.

The Coralife fixture is literally 1/16" to small for the 6" heat sink... After I loosened up the end plates I managed to squeeze it in 8) Once I remove the side brackets on the heat sinks it should slide right in between the compact fluorescences making the fixture 480 + 384 watts <-- really this means nothing nowadays eg: watts per gallon statement but it should help penetrating the 30" of water by adding the compact fluorescences and adding a higher K value which is only beneficial in my opinion.

 

dang that looks very nice and slick.