Diy led

[dales]

Hi bros and sis, im doing a diy led and was wondering if 50 x 3w 10k star base led (china) + 4 royal blue led would be good enough for softies? Is it sufficient and is it possible to grow lps too?

Please advise me on this.. Thank you..

[Evolutionz]

first we must know what is your tank size. Next for corals, 50 : 4 W:B ratio is not meant for marine. From what i understand, there is currently a debate regarding white light being useless to coral, they are simply to balance out the blue light to make it pleasing to our eyes. i would suggest a combo of : 20 RB, 10 B, 10 NW, 2WW, 3 CW, 5 420nm TV

RB = Royal Blue (455nm)

B = Blue (465 - 485nm)

NW = Neutral White (5000k - 6500k)

CW = Cool White (8000k - 10000k) - Generally "useless"

WW = Warm White (3000k) Fills up the spectrum for red/green etc etc

TV = True violet (420nm)

IMO, there is no need to add in red/green or any other color LEDs if you used neutral/warm white. Infact thats a better mix compared to cool white + red/green LEDs. Violets are just as important as any other LEDs and although its very dim to our eyes, its actually very important and bright to the corals.

With the above mixture and with the correct tank size, you would be able to grow anything from softies to SPS.

However if you insist on just Softies a simple combi like this :

30 RB, 10 CW, 5 NW, 5 TV.

is enough.

You can adjust more RB or more Whites to your own preference if you prefer a whiter tank, but the general guideline is 2RB:1W for the perfect look.

I hope this helps.

[dales]

Bro evo thank you very much.. That is really helpfull.. Im doing it for my 3 ft.. Would what u advise applies for 3 ft? Wish to add corals from fowlr..

[Evolutionz]

No problem bro, what's ur tank height?

[dales]

50cm.. Is that ok?

[sherman]

A 50/50 mix will given you around 16k. Try to use warm white or neutral white then you don't have to worry about red and green and yellow.

A mixture of blue,royal blue and UV is better then just blue alone.

UV is a bit hard to get and expensive.

[dales]

Great.. Yea.. Violet expensive.. Will build up the light soon and will post it up.. )

[Evolutionz]

50cm will need optics imo. 90 degrees one. TV (not uv) are expensive but worth it.5-6 pieces should be enough

[dales]

Ok.. 90 degrees angle lens.. Was thinking of using 60.. But guess that would be too spot light.. Yea.. Found one source for TV.. Quite expensive.. as for housing, will wood be good? What do u guys suggest?

[sherman]

Housing can be anything.But you need a good heatsink to hold all your led