I've got the reefer itch! wanting to move the 20g to a 70g in the next few months.

Hey guys I am currently a little over a month into my 20 gallon, which I moved from my 8 gallon that was about 3 months old, cause I decided it was too small. lol, well it seems I've got the itch to do it again, but have decided to hold of until we buy a house, new house = new tank!
Now I would like to do a lot of diy on the new tank, such as completely running it on leds, possibly Crees.
Also, Diy stand is in order for this project as well. however, being a noob to saltwater in general, I am not sure how much is too much or not enough in the led department or what I will need how many of each bulb, I know I want lunar, and dimming features, but thats as far as I've got, I would like to try to make it a little more eco friendly, as my 2 is currently on t5s/metal halide, the metal halide is off 100% of the time though. so what can I do from here?
Educate me!

 

Cree is the way to go in my opinion. Im in the process of re-building an LED fixture for my 90. I will run 42 Cree LEDs and 18 other brand (no-brand). All 3 watts, however the wattage doesnt mean anything when it comes to LEDs.

 

I would follow a ratio of 1 LED per 12 sq in of foot print. Also with a controller you have nice range.

Here is how I was going to build mine:
1 LED per 12 sq in of foot print
10k whites and royal blue 1:1 ratio not CREE's (I know they have great products I just cannot justify the cost)
Typhoon LED controller with Meanwell drivers package (also has the faded control and can download the thunderstorm program!)
built on a heatsink of aluminum channel 3"
PC fans for cooling

I LOVE DIY!

**edit: I might also throw in a few violet 420nm LED's **

 

if not crees what would you use, theres lots of places that sell them for under $5 per bulb imo thats not terrible

 

I priced out a dimmable set up for my 75 with 30 white and 18 blue dual color dimming, remote, heatsinks, and power, and fans for about $420 compared to one AI Sol good for about 30-50 gallons at $400 I'd say thats a win but I'm a newb to diy lol

 

that's not a bad deal. Not sure where you have looked, but I will be ordering from aquastyleonline or satisled (for larger quantity discounts satisled)

The owner of my LFS swears by them and has no whites in his display...I think they add a little extra punch to colors as a small addition to the blues, but this is personal opinion.

 

The 420nm is not only for the looks or preference. VERY effective on coloring and growth of shallow SPS. I have read/seen enough articles and whatnot.

Im including 14 UVs out of 60 LEDs in my build.

 

This was on rapid led. So purples kindof act like a black light for the corals?

 

Also what are these PAR38? or whatever they're called, are they leds? what would be most cost effecient?