LED newbie

That might not be enough to absorb the heat. You want a true heatsink with multiple flanges. Heat is an LEDs worst enemy.

 

i agree. i just ordered 2 ai for my 90g tank (48x18x25). we tried the spread with my friends 2 Ai and even 12+ awl the spread is not that good, have a lot of dead spot even with 70 optics for the whole ai also installed parallel.
to really get a good spread i would need at least 4 ai.
so i agree that if you want a good spread and keep the canopy, you would need 6 ai.
we have a sponsor right now selling them with 10% off purchase which is a good deal.

 

YouTube - ‪Aquaillumination Sol Thunderstorm Simulation.MOV‬‏
You could do something like the above with your canopy.

 

holy crap! that place is way expensive. give rapidled a call/email. not only are they half of that price, they are also site sponsors.

 

also have to look into how your aquascape is done. mine is a 90g with at least 250lbs of rocks so mine is really crowded and creates a lot of dark spots because of my rockwork but if you don't have a lot of live rocks and re-arrange them to have a clean open space which i intend to do and cut down my live rock to at least 150 (has to done slowly to not shock my biological load) and create a more open space for the aquarium.

 

Not really! This is already all pre-wired. You actually lose $6.50 by going through Rapid, and they are using meanwell instead of inventronics. Plus you have to buy a heatsink to make it the same kit.

 

I hope I don't have to end up ordering even more... I have ~30inches clearance AWL to work with though... And a PAR meter to play with.. so we will see.

 

How do you figrure that? From there it's $350 for a 30 led full setup, driver & heatsink & optics.

From rapid thier 24 LED kit is $200, and yes without heatsink, and from heatsinkusa they are $13. Thats 350 vs 220 ish.

I guess if someone putting it together is worth $125, PM me cause I can use the work.

 

Um, you are comparing 30 LEDs to 24 LEDs? And you forgot to add $41 for the fan kit. Plus the same 8.46X12 heatsink in the kit is $28.50, not $13...This is all thing the ReefLED kit has, so we'll use the same to compare.
Not to argue, but LET'S COMPARE

• RapidLED
• 18 Royal Blue XRE LEDs with optics $121.50
• 12 Cool White XRE LEDs with optics $81.00
• 3 Mean Well ELN-60-48D dimmable drivers $102.00
• 1 60mm Vantec Fan Kit $41.00
• 3 3 Prong Power Cords 7.50
• 1 8.460" Wide x 12" Long Heatsink from HSUSA $28.50
• TOTAL: $381.50

Above does not include wiring, below is pre-wired.

• Reef LED Lights
• 30 XR-E Kit Dimmable
• INCLUDED:
• 8.46x12 Heatsink
• Dual Fan Kit with Power Supply
• 5 LED Strips Pre Wired 3 RB/2 CW-RB Mix
• 3 Inventronics Dimmable 40 Watt
• Dia.20 Cree 70 Degree Optics
• TOTAL: $357.45