12DX LED Build

[Jimbo7]

Technically this belongs in the nano section, but as of late it seems pretty dusty in there.

Anyway, here is my 12g LED experiment tank that I will be running at school this year. I'm planning on keeping only high light things and maintaining mini colonies. My semi-mentality was that it will be like a bonsai tank. Lots of trimming and care to do this stuff. So, right now I have lots of SPS frags, Acans, and a new crocea clam who all have to make the journey over.

I'm not going to detail this too much here, I'll probably make a big write up in the DIY section concerning exact details, but feel free to ask on anything.

Equipment:
6 Cree XP-G
6 Cree XP-E
2 BuckPuck 1000mA dimming drivers
1 24V, 6.5A Postrans power supply
1 heatsink from heatsinkusa roughly 10x6



Had to get the heatshrink cut down at work for it to fit how I wanted.



Used nanotuners thermal pads to adhere the LEDs



Wiring the stock fans in series to attach them to the 24v supply.



Wiring up the stock switch, it fit perfectly in between the fins of the heat sink.

[Jimbo7]

My albeit super ghetto mounting bracket method. These aluminum shingles were .48 cents at Home Depot, cut like butter with tin snips, really easy to work with. Used arctic silver to adhere one side to the metal, and a marine 2 part epoxy to the hood. I can't stress how important it is to use a high grade isopropyl alcohol to clean all the surfaces before you glue/thermal adhere.



Basically laid in the heat sink and the brackets, traces where the brackets fit, took it all out and glued it.




Did a little trimming before the epoxy went down to uncover the heat sink.



All finished before final wiring.



All wired up and ready to go.

[Jimbo7]

I realize I skipped a large section on the actual wiring, and I know this is the part that confuses a lot of people. I took a TON of pictures doing this, so never fear I have them. I just didn't feel like sorting through them all to decide right now. This is a basic wiring diagram for what I did. Should ease initial questions.

I know everyone says this, but these are so much more brighter in real life then pictures do justice. When all the blues are on, the tape measure pictured looks completely yellow and the orange screwdriver glows like its a black light. Cant wait to get corals under them.

All Blue:


All White:


Both:


Brightness comparison. Pictured left is a 70w Viper K-2:



I'm sure I forgot tons of stuff in here. But this should be enough to get us started. Going to start to move stuff tomorrow.
Enjoy!

[pat8you]

Ahhh finally all the pictures to go with this build i have been hearing about. Well done. Can't wait to see the tank all set up and corals under those lights.

[Aquarium1]

Wow, those look awesome.

[Bige]

Looks sweet. You gonna put that clam in there? I had one that died but it was harassed by a snail. So I want to know if the clam will make it. Everything else does. My LEDs look great and so do yours. Do you have moon lights?

[Jimbo7]

Yea the clam is going in. I don't have any moon lights now, but I plan to add some when I get an arduino.
Thanks guys!

[Bige]

Will that control all of it? I got a k2 with moon phase controller for 60 total. It works great.

[Mitchell0605]

Wooo! Build thread! Looks good to. Those LED's are ripping the Viper!

[Zer0]

Ohhoho!

[thincat]

So Jim what was the total cost of this unit?

[Mitchell0605]

Don't ask him, his brain wil explode once he realises.

[Jimbo7]

Originally Posted by Bige

Will that control all of it? I got a k2 with moon phase controller for 60 total. It works great.

Yea, people have been doing all sorts of sweet stuff with them. Depending on how much you put into them, they can control the lights, or be an entire reef controller for everything like a commercial one.

[Jimbo7]

Originally Posted by thincat

So Jim what was the total cost of this unit?

Just in parts, around 150ish. Unfortunately the real cost was higher because no one website had everything I needed, so I ended up paying shipping from 4 different sites. I'm planning on using this tank for the rest of the time I'm in college, so on utilities and upkeep alone, I think it will pay for itself over the next couple years.

All said and done, about what it would cost to put a decent MH over it, without the heat, massive energy draw, and maintenance costs.

[thincat]

Nice build thread...

[Jimbo7]

Thanks TC!

[Kristall-99]

Goodjob on the build. i just recently aswell just finished my 10gal led build. m looking for a controller so i can have the blue string come on an hour before the whites and go off an hour after. Anyone have a controller like this or would it just be easier to just build 2 LV timers

[Jimbo7]

Look into Arduino. Its what I'm going to use once I figure it all out and get a budget.

[Mitchell0605]

Nice Jim. Considering the many advantages if it was around the MH price I'd say it was worth it!

[Jimbo7]

Switched all my LR in last night and did a test feeding this morning. Make sure that everything is still all good and I may start transferring my stuff tonight.