DIY system complete...finally + some background info on me

I haven't posted much on this forum since i introduced myself. I was going to get a 55gal and make it into a fowlr tank. That was scrapped as I didn't want to. I made it into a planted tank with tiger barbs. It looks nice, but I'm going to be moving and i really just dont like the look of it anymore so I'm going to go to a new store that is due to open up here in Omaha,ne soon and try and get some store credit up and make it into a fowlr after all.

All that aside... just after i got that tank up I wanted another tank... I got a 10gal and made it into a salt water tank. Here is a current shot of it:



After I got that set up and few corals I knew I was going to be moving this year since I have a little girl on the way (yay!) This is our first baby and I am a happy Daddy So I decided that I wanted a BioCube. I have a local friend that has one and its modded up...and so i set to have a tank like his and provide a better home for my clowns and more powerful lighting for frags i have.

Over a few MONTHS I built myself an LED lighting system. I had time to do it so DIY was the logical thing to do to keep costs down.

I have two meanwell drivers powering 12led's each of white and blue. Each string is dimmed individually from a project box and in the following pictures you'll see that its BRIGHT. Oh and excuse my layout, I goofed on the layout, but it'll be fine. Also the wiring mess is sorted out as well. lol

Light pics were done with flash off and in completely dark area

Top - 120mm fan


Project box/Dimmer controls and drivers with cases opened up


Under the hood


Whites - at most dim


Blues - at most dim


Both - at most dim


Whites - Max


Blues - Max - camera did not like this... thus it looks more purple than blue


Both - Max



Ordering up some dry rock from marco on next sale i think for the BC29gal. Then a bigger and better ro/di with a di canister. One i have isn't idea. Going to get a DI canister first and see how the TDS turns out.

Can't wait to move and get this one up!

 

That's a lot of light. It looks like you did a good job on the DIY. It should be nice to see the rest of the build.

Welcome back..a.nd congrats on the kid. lol.

 

Nice DIY mod to the hood.

What's the new store? And when is it due to open?

It sucks that Paradise Cove had to shut down. I don't get to Omaha often but that was one of my first stops each time I did.

 

New store is supposed to be run by some veterans in the hobby and should open up within a few weeks. Where at in omaha Im not sure but here is the website:

Home

From what I am told and rumor, it's going to be a really well run shop and there are supposed to be some promising things to happen at this shop and that I know of some of the people that run it. All of the people I know of that could run something like this are really good people and know what they are doing! I personally cant wait for it to open up since there is only Ruff Waters for a decent shop in Omaha and Lincoln area. Paradise Cove was a wreak when i went there (then it soon closed up shop). They charged too much for everything and their tanks looked bad IMO. Im picky what can I say

 

Cool. I hadn't been to PC since last summer. But I never thought they were that bad. Pricey but the frag tanks were always clean.

Glad to know that another one with good owners is opening.

 

Nice, can you share how you did it, what you used and how much it cost. Just in case someone else on here, including myself, wants to build their own. Thanks

 

I got the led's and drivers from Rapid LED Home Page meanwell 48d. Personally I'd have gotten the 48p's and got their controller. Getting pot's and wiring all that in was a PAIN.

Heatsink was from CRE Loaded 6 - CRE Loaded Ecommerce, atm they got hacked or something and site is all messed up.

string is wired in a series and all joints are soldered in.