DIY LED for my 120g reef

Finally got my part list finalized for LED fixture for my 4x2x2 120g mixed reef. many thanks to Dingo for his help. Here is what I ended up with, figured I'd get any input before i place the order and start the build. i want it to be good enough to support SPS/clams

50 x 3W Cree Xp-G cool white LED on 10mm square pcb
50 x 3W Cree Xp-E royal blue LED on 10mm square pcb
100 x Carclo XP 10mm frosted Wide optics (26 degree)
8 x meanwell ELN-60-48D
4 x 10x16in heat sinks
8 x 12V cpu fans for heat sinks
1 x 12V power supply for Fans
2 x power cords for meanwell (one for whites, one for blues)
- double sided thermal adhesive tape ( for easier replacement without endless drill/tapping)
-aluminum tubing for frame
- thin plexi glass for a water barrier
- wire
1x par meter (no way I'm building this thing and not measuring it properly)

each heat sink will have 24 LEDs (4x6rows) and they will have a little space between them. I will be controlling the dimmer with my RKE controller

once i get the order in and get everything I'll post some pics of the build process/results.

 

Sounds well thought out, best of luck

 

Will definitely be tagging along for this ride. Seems like a lot of information is out of date out there. Want to have this project done on my 90 by end of summer.

 

Sounds AWESOME ;D

Please keep us posted; I have been toying with the idea of doing the same type of build for my 90g...

 

cant believe i missed this haha!
so did you get your order yet? im really excited for this because its a pretty big build!

how deep is your tank though? 24"?

 

90 gallon standard dimensions are about 48w x 24h x 18d. 120 gal standard is 48w x 24h x 24" d.

 

well if thats the case then the lens might be a little narrow... even at 24" they will only have a diameter of 11.7" and only have a diameter of 4.8" at 10" depth :-/ --unless they are elevated up above the tank a little bit

 

thats exactly whats worrying me about my build. I will be putting the fixture in the canopy im going to build. the leds will be about 7 -9 in max above the water. SO using wider optics would be best, wider optics equals less par but wider coverage.

 

yeah... but if you go with like 45 you will probably be fine. I mean I have heard of people having to dim their led's the whole way to 30% because the PAR was too much for their corals and their sps were not holding nice color...

 

well...you are talking about 100 led's so each one would only have to cover 12"square, which it will easily do at 21"(assuming a 3" sand bed). only thing i can see preventing good coverage would be monticaps up high or on the glass. good luck and ill be watching!