DIY LEDs RadioShack 20g Tall Reef

Over the past few months I've been lurking various forums researching reefs. I've been in the freshwater hobby a year now but want to get some experience in salt. My first project I hope to be a 20 gallon FOWLR (Preferably reef).

Because a reef is in the plans I'm very concerned about the lighting. I'm in college and on a budget (which isn't a good thing for the fishkeeping hobby) but I also am very welcoming of challenges.

I tried a couple of searches on this forum and couldn't find the exact answers I was looking for.

I've been looking at various LED kits and parts like the CREE 3W leds (or something like that). My biggest question is how do the standard 3mm, 5mm, 10mm etc LEDs you can purchase at RadioShack or similar store compares to the CREE fancy leds?

Would I be able to fashion together a decent LED lighting system with parts I can find at the Home Depot and RadioShack?

If not, what are my best options for commercial DIY kits and completed setups?

Thank you 3Reef

P.S.
I've been looking at discussions between Cluster and Even distribution. Those are very interesting debates

 

Unfortunately, no. You won't find CREE equivalent LEDs at your local home improvement store (or the like).

RapidLED sells quality kits at affordable prices, if you're desiring the DIY route (and they're a vendor here).

If you must do a manufactured fixture, IMO Aqua Illuminations produces the fixture with the best value.

 

How tight of a budget are you on? Rapidled has high quality affordable systems, or there a cheaper options out there for the budget minded!

There are plenty of threads on here for that! read some aquastyle and DIY led threads

 

LED My TANK! « « ReefLEDLights | LED Aquarium Lighting ReefLEDLights | LED Aquarium Lighting

http://www.ledsupply.com/docs/reef-tank_diy-instructions.pdf

 

http://reefledlights.com/ledmytank/

http://www.ledsupply.com/docs/reef-tank_diy-instructions.pdf

 

Thanks for all the replies guys! I'm checking out the AI systems as well as some of the RapidLED kits.

I'll definitely be looking through some more threads on this site. It's a lot of information to take in all at once.

@ Cosmo: I haven't quite set a budget yet. I honestly don't even have a tank yet. I'll be heading home from college at the end of the week and starting work probably on Monday for some extra spending money (Christmas presents lol). Thanks again for the replies.

 

I'm comparing a bunch of Kits. I haven't found any presetup kits that would fit my 20g yet but I haven't been looking very hard in that category.

Does anybody have any they know off hand that would be good to look at?

Also, for a 20 gallon how many LEDs would I need to be able to grow corals? I'm a newbie so I don't want to jump into anything too tricky but I want to have some flexibility. I'm assuming that the number of LEDs is directly proportionate to the distance above the tank the fixture is set. What is generally a good height to prevent spotlighting.

I'm still researching lenses and optics of the LEDs but I've noticed that many have a 60deg focus.

Also, how wide would a heat sink need to be for a 20 tall?

The dimensions of a 20 tall are [FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]24 1/4 x 12 1/2 x 16 3/4

I found a 12 LED Dimmable Kit that I would consider in my price range but the Heatsink that comes with it is 1.1" x 24". The LEDs are 3w CREE. Is 36 Watts overkill? Too little? Baby bear just right?

I also would like to have moonlighting in the lighting setup. The same site has a 2 LED Moonlight kit that I will link below.

To top everything off I am thinking of also inputting a cooling fan.

How important is it to have a dimmable kit? Can low light corals be damaged by this lighting setup (I know if you put a coral under intense lighting it could bleach it but I'm not sure if that's possible with this amount of lighting).

In the freshwater planted world the "Watts per Gallon" rule is being phased out with a more complicated relation. Is there something I should be aware of with LEDs and marine tanks?

LINKS TO MY ABOVE POST

- Dimmable Kit Link -

- LEDs Link -

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Ok that's alot of questions!
Fan definitely you can always just buy a computer fan!

Dimmable is a good idea so you can add a controller! Also I'd get 18 Crees for the tank! 10 blue 8 white and if it's too bright...dimmable! Easier to dim than add lights!

I'd get about a 20x10 heatsinks or so!

Get mean well drivers!

Ecoxotic strip LEDs may be a good option!

Alot depends on your final budget but u can prob build ur own for $200 or buy for $300 or so! Guessing! Cheaper if ou go with bridgelux!

 

Sorry heatsinks could be smaller!

 

That is a actinic kit only! Check out the bio cube 29 dimmable kit! Everything for $225!