building a led light

i want to turn my 40g into a coral tank and was needing help on what color led to go with and what size heatsink. the tank measures 24D/18W/20L i plan on using rapid leds so any info would be gratefully appreciated

 

You will need a variety of white and blue actinic lighting, as for watts etc, even I'm confused.

Bump for a more experienced reefer.

 

I'd email Mike from RaidLED, he is super helpful and replies very quickly.

staff@rapidled.com

 

+1 for DIY led lighting from RapidLED. Top notch people to work with.

 

Ok thanks for the help I just want to make sure I build one good enough for any type of coral there is so I don't have to upgrade I. The future

 

Talk to Mike! Let him know your future plans. He will guide you along. Go dimmable! They even have no solder led's.
They have various colors, as well; the normal blues and whites, as well as uv, cyan and greens.
They are a reliable and dedicated company!

Also, ask any questions on this site. evolved, exactlyobp and cosmo REALLY helped me out!!

 

36 Ultra Premium LED DIY Kit with Dimmable Drivers - Rapid LED or
24 Ultra Premium LED DIY Kit with Dimmable Drivers - Rapid LED

36 is overkill but not much more money, but 24 will prob do ya if ya add the bottom part
make sure you swap out some of the colors, for instance, I'd prob do for the 36 set up;
12 whites(8 cool white and 4 neutral) and
24 blues (16 royal, and 8 blue)
prob 90 opitcs and get thermal adhesive or the pads

http://www.rapidled.com/6-x-20-blac...http://www.rapidled.com/7-function-multimeter
4.5" LED to LED Wire (Solderless) - Rapid LED get about 20
80mm Vantec Stealth Fan Kit - Rapid LED

And then get: Typhon LED Controller Kit by BoostLED
Make sure you get the P meanwell drivers if you get this controller

and then if ya want add;
12 Solderless LED Retrofit Kit Dimmable - Rapid LED
But have them swap out the blues and whites for 8 solderless violets, 2 greens and 2 reds with no optics

 

See... told ya so! LOL Cosmo's the man

 

Definitely get in touch with Mike.

A mix of 24 3 watt will be more light than you need to keep any coral or clam in a tank that size.

Here is pic of an experimental broad spectrum build I recently did. Everything but the controller and fans are from Rapid. It hangs over a 20 gallon.

There are two ELN 60-48 drivers and the total 3 watt LED count is 28. Each driver output max is set at 650mA. All LED's have 60 degree optics, either built in or secondary.

PAR is insane.

 

Wow. Very cool PAR display! What was the distance from the Lights to the sand?