CoraLife LED Actinic Mod Redone

I have a 48" CoraLife dual 150W HQI on my 75G. The previous owner had replaced the PC actinics with 4X 24" T5's. I didn't like that at all. So I decided to do my own modification. I added two strings of 7 stars. All Cree, all from RapidLED. I didn't want to much blue so I used 10 3W Royal Blue XP-E and 4 3W Cool White XP-G They're on a dimmable 48P for now because I may buy the PWM controller later. I also installed a pot in case I have to switch to 48D and control dim manually.

I started by gutting the T5 Mod from the fixture.



I couldn't afford 1" x 44" of heatsink so I made my own out of some scrap 1" square tube. I cut it length wise on my bosses table saw. Sorry the pic is blurry, it's from my phone.

The aluminum was very dirty so I had to wire wheel it and clean it up. I won't bore you with the before/after pics.
Getting ready to place the stars. The two halves of tubing are nice and shiny.

I used the Berquist Thermal Pads instead of adhesive. One for no mess and two I'll be able to take the stars off easier if I go all LED over this tank and need to use them.

Finally got all of the stars stuck to the pads. They are on 5" centers. The wide gap in the middle of each row is to compensate for the 3.75" center brace of my hood.

I must admit that tinning all the wire and contacts sucked. It was no fun and I took no pictures of the process. After I got the string soldered I installed 2 60mm case fans to help with air flow. It probably wasn't the best spot but it works. They draw air in, the big fan exhausts it.

I added a universal adapter so I can control fan speed. I thought I had a pic of the completed install but don't. I covered the wire that goes through the hole with automotive wire cover and JB welded it in place. The adapter is wired in to the LED driver power cord so the fans will run while the LED are on.

The pot and the 10V jack.


I had to make my own mounting brackets for the DIY heatsinks.

Wired and ready for a test.

It works!

This pic was taken after I glued on the 65* optics. Oh yeah I wanted to help PAR so I put on lenses.

Spot on the ceiling shows the color pretty good.

Finally the tank pics...
With just the LED. Perfect IMO not to blue and corals pop.

And with the halides on along with the LEDs.


The tank before. With the same halide bulbs and the T5's

 

Love the mods, Looks great!

 

Very nice job on your mod..Hopefully I can do that one day when I finally pull the trigger on new lights.

 

Well done!

 

Thanks!

 

I knew that LED's give off a good shimmer but I have to say it's pretty amazing. I don't know if it's because I'm fighting off a fever or what but I got sea sick watching the shimmer a minute ago. Intense!

 

LOL, yeah I think LEDs can give MHs a good run for their money when it comes to shimmer. Anyways, very cool project and great idea. Thanks for sharing!

 

Wow, great job. Looks good. Plus you are knocking a little off the old power bill.. Not much but it helps!!!

 

I've got a new toy and if the PAR numbers look good I will begin to covert to all LED over this tank.
Sick as a dog right now so don't feel much like getting my hands in the tank.
I took PAR numbers before the mod and just by cutting out 6' of the ten foot power cords from ballast to fixture increased PAR by 81 points at the screen cover. The LED's PAR at the screen was about 500% increase over the T5's.

 

Great DIY mike. Love the look of the tank now. Thanks for sharing. I can't wait to get my LEDs.