ok, I have some questions on a DIY LED fixture I'm going to do for my 36g tank.
I have been asking Bobofin (very knowledgeable) for many of the answers so I thought I'd ask for your opinion as well, more info to think about. I should point out that all LED's are 3watt XRE R2 white & royal blue.
anyway
I have a 36g bowfront tank that measures 24" deep by 36" across, thus making a surface area of 432 sq in; the tank is also 18" to the sand bed.
The top is not totally open like your tanks all are as there is integral bracing that is part of the design. I have an open area that came with a removable glass cover where my lights currently sit atop (Sundial T5 VHO), 2 10k & 2 actinic x 24watt.
In the first photo I drew a sketch showing the proposed setup via a top down look.
The 2nd photo shows how I plan on grouping the LED's as I will have 2 dimmable ballasts.
My questions are as follows:
1 - The usual compliment of 18 blue & 6 white is recommended for a 20k look. For my layout of lamps on the heatsink (in my mind) shows that 6 lamps may not be enough to spread out and provide white light on all sides. By me increasing 2 white & reducing 2 blue do you think I would have any issues? I believe that I can control output (see wiring diagram). BTW - these extra 2 whites are shown on the far right & far left of the center row.
2 - The LED's on their own have a spread of 130* and if I purchase lenses than the recommended is 80*. Do you think I could intersperse lens & no lens to provide more coverage since the physical fixture will not cover the entire tank. My thought is that some leds closer to the interior of the build not have a lens and those on the outskirts have the lens. By using a lens I can control the beams and have less light flow thru the sides onto the walls.
maybe I am thinking to hard on this but want to do this right the 1st time.
I have been asking Bobofin (very knowledgeable) for many of the answers so I thought I'd ask for your opinion as well, more info to think about. I should point out that all LED's are 3watt XRE R2 white & royal blue.
anyway
I have a 36g bowfront tank that measures 24" deep by 36" across, thus making a surface area of 432 sq in; the tank is also 18" to the sand bed.
The top is not totally open like your tanks all are as there is integral bracing that is part of the design. I have an open area that came with a removable glass cover where my lights currently sit atop (Sundial T5 VHO), 2 10k & 2 actinic x 24watt.
In the first photo I drew a sketch showing the proposed setup via a top down look.
The 2nd photo shows how I plan on grouping the LED's as I will have 2 dimmable ballasts.
My questions are as follows:
1 - The usual compliment of 18 blue & 6 white is recommended for a 20k look. For my layout of lamps on the heatsink (in my mind) shows that 6 lamps may not be enough to spread out and provide white light on all sides. By me increasing 2 white & reducing 2 blue do you think I would have any issues? I believe that I can control output (see wiring diagram). BTW - these extra 2 whites are shown on the far right & far left of the center row.
2 - The LED's on their own have a spread of 130* and if I purchase lenses than the recommended is 80*. Do you think I could intersperse lens & no lens to provide more coverage since the physical fixture will not cover the entire tank. My thought is that some leds closer to the interior of the build not have a lens and those on the outskirts have the lens. By using a lens I can control the beams and have less light flow thru the sides onto the walls.
maybe I am thinking to hard on this but want to do this right the 1st time.