Steve's LEDs

[whippetguy]

+1

 

[KarlyBoy]

+2

 

[goma]

Some new pics:

Left side:



Right side:



Entire top:

 

[goma]

This is how I ran the wires out of the top:

 

[goma]

4 Dimmer switches:

 

[goma]

Wiring and relays:

 

[goma]

Wiring running out the through the back of the tank and down into the cabinet to connect to the power supply and Typhoon controller:

 

[goma]

I have the Typhoon connected and programmed. Once It turns on, I'll take a pic so you can see a before with the T5s and after with the LEDs.

 

[goma]

Here's a pic with the T-5s:



And here are the LEDs at 50% power:

 

[goma]

The LED shot seems pretty representative of the colors I am currently seeing. The T-5 shot was from few days ago, so I don't know how accurate it is. I set the White balance of the LED shot and then applied the same setting to the T-5 shot.

 

[SenseiSays]

Well here is the big question, would you do it again?

 

[goma]

Well here is the big question, would you do it again?

Good question and my initial response is "it's too early to tell". My main reasons for upgrading were:

1. Not having to buy 6 T-5 bulbs every 9-12 months at a cost of ~$125.00
2. Less power consumption and heat generation.
3. Increased light intensity for better coral growth.

So #1 is valid as I don't have to buy bulbs any more. #2 is good as it definitely runs cooler, there is literally no heat coming off the LEDs.

#3 is the unknown right now. Yes, they will provide 50% more light but how will the corals react over time? We'll have to wait and see on that one.

One thing I love is the Typhoon controller. Very easy to program and I love having a sunrise and sunset as opposed to the T-5 just turning on.

Time will tell but I as of right now, I'm pretty happy with them!!

 

[SenseiSays]

Great review, Probably speaking for everyone that we are excited to see how it works out!

 

[nanoreefing4fun]

+1 ^ Great review & pic Greg !

be sure to start them off at not to high % - look forward to seeing how the corals respond & Cheers for being fo good at DIY - well done !

 

[goma]

Thanks Glenn. Running them at 50% power right now, will bump up the power 10% each week and see how things go.

 

[goma]

Here's everything that got removed from the hood. I'll hang on to the ballasts and if anyone ever needs one, I can ship it to them.

 

[magicmann]

Greg

Thanks for the review you are brave, I would be worried that it would not work when I swithched it on. I had to go under the hood to fix the timer and the wiring looks a nightmare.
I am very interested in how the corals react to your new lights.

Paul

 

[Seababies]

Greg, did you incorporate the timer and moonlight into the new retrofit? Where is the power supply mounted? Thanks for sharing. Steve should thank-you for the detail pictures!

 

[goma]

Greg, did you incorporate the timer and moonlight into the new retrofit? Where is the power supply mounted? Thanks for sharing. Steve should thank-you for the detail pictures!

Yes, I did incorporate the timer and moonlight into it. Though i don't think I needed to since I went with the Typhoon Controller.

The Power supply - interesting question. I ended up running all the wires out the back as you can see in one of the pics. Then I put the power supply in the right side cabinet on the top of the shelf. The Power Supply is much larger than I expected. Here is a pic of it in the box on the table, it takes up every bit of space inside that box.

 

[BigAl07]

GREAT work Greg. Thank you for taking the time and effort to document it so well.

Be sure to take weekly snapshots (from same distance/location/angle) so you can see how well the coral are adapting to the new lights.