20W Multichip LED build for Nano FW

[RMc]

I had originally planned to rapid prototype a mounting bracket for a P4 heats - Thread Here
Unfortunately, I couldn't get the price below $100 - and my budget is pretty tight. Also, it may have fallen apart as soon as I attached the heat sink

Instead, I decided to attempt a steam bent wood mount for the grand cost of $3.65. I have never attempted to bend wood before, so this was quite a fun experience.

First, a quick price-out:
20W cool-white LED $6.97
12V to 30-34V current driver (microtek 20/30w) $6.54
12V power supply $5.99
Heatsink + Fan $7.97
Poplar board $3.65
Lens + reflector $3.25 (have not yet received)
Total: $34.37

Onto the build:

I steamed the wood over a pot on the stove for ~2 hours.
A few basement clamps, an aluminum pot, and a torrent of obscenities later - I had the wood bent. I plan to leave it on the pot for at least 24 hours to help the shape take. (will report on whether it does or not)

I decided to use a "Clear Cube" server heatsink as the cooler for its streamlined look and low profile.

Using white lithium grease and super glue I mounted the LED diode set onto the base. If this were a 50 or 100W build I probably would have gone ahead and ordered some legitimate thermal adhesive. But, I happened to have these on hand - so on they went.

 

[RMc]

I soldered up all the leads and tossed the driver into a small project box.

The fan is powered in parallel, using the 12V supply.

After nearly blinding myself, I have concluded that it works - but that I will need to tune down the fan, which is loud as all hell.

On the plus side, the heatsink remains cool to the touch after extended operation.

 

[RMc]

The light is scattered across 140+ degrees, but using a 10x lens and hood it can be focused down. I ordered a 30 degree optic kit so that the light can be suspended ~4 inches above the tank.

Here is a shot of my 52mm 10x lens

and some of the nifty effects it can produce

Great, even color eh?

 

[jarrodsanborn]

good work!
Any concern of the 30 degred optic being too focused?

I like the wood vs prototype. Sometimes "old school" is best.

 

[Jarob]

Will you have wavelengths other than the cool white?

 

[RMc]

Jarrod - I am concerned about the optics being too focused. If it is I'll just use the 10x camera filter ($3).

Jarob - For now I'm just using the cool white. But it seems like I'd benefit from some R+G action. The overall color is a pretty cold and sterile Blue + Yellow. It is unfortunate that the project would have to be complicated like this, but there are no high CRI LED's above 3,000k.

 

[Jarob]

Yea from what Ive seen people have been supplementing these with a TON of Royal Blues and Violet LED's as well. Either way, it looks awesome, great job so far!

 

[RMc]

Well there was about 15-20 degrees of spring back in the board. Re-steaming it now for a second shot. Poplar is not choice lumber when it comes to bending, oak may end up in the final build.

 

[RMc]

Ok, after re-setting the board at 70-75 degrees it's looking a lot better

mocked up over the tank

This is how the light will be seated

 

[Owen386]

Damn Nice DIY

 

[jarrodsanborn]

Damn Nice DIY

Agreed. This is a steamy thread.
Is this for fw or sw? if its a sw build, i would try one of these leds instead of the one you have now. Its nice that they are cheap and swappable.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EPISTAR-20W...140?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f202b447c
the spectrum chart makes it seem like it has a curve similar to many metal halide 14/20k bulbs.

oops, i just saw this was a fresh water build. the extra blue in the chip i posted isnt needed. maybe you could find a warmer 20w chip? im sure there are some nice 6500k chips with good cri?

 

[RMc]

Up and running:

I don't think I'll end up needing the collimator / lens - but I may strap a lens hood on there to shade some of the spill. If I can find a nice looking rectangular model on the cheap I'll go that route.

 

[RMc]

Jarrod, this is a FW build (sorry reefers) but I'd like to get some multichips over my reef as well. I'm looking into remote phosphors and the "Dream chip" - a 100W RGB+UV+RB+10k designed specifically for reefs. That rb/white split chip looks pretty tempting. If only I could find a 6.5k + Red + Green

 

[Jarob]

Looks awesome!!

 

[Docstach]

Looks great, you should sell those as a fuge light.

 

[RMc]

Thanks guys. I just purchased a 20W warm white LED for $4.26 - these things are so cheap I figured why not. In a couple weeks I'll swap the cool out.

 

[jarrodsanborn]

lol, you cant call that a planted tank. it has more veg than water. is there any fish or shrimp in it or is it just plants? what is your secret?????

 

[Trevor]

What do you have for filtration? This tank looks awesome!

 

[RMc]

Thanks for the friendly feedback - Surprisingly, the tank houses 1 betta, 7 pygmy corydoras (only about 1/2" or so), 2 ottoclinus catfish, 3 nerite snails, and ~20 red cherry shrimp. The shrimp population waxes and wanes with their breeding, and the betta's appetite. I run injected CO2 on a timer (1 hr before the lights turn on until 1 hour before they turn off) and use a canister filter (magnum 350 modded / gated). The canister has only biological media, but does have a sponge on the inlet so I don't end up with canned shrimp.

I do a 50% water change about once a month, and fertilize with a standardized NPK once or twice a week. Algae has been minimal, but does crop up in small patches on the plants when I neglect to fertilize. I feed NLS pellets daily and supplement with whole silverside once a week. I generally trim the plants every two weeks, but somtimes I let it go a bit wild.

The whole tank has been set up around 6 months.

Below is a shot of the tank at the 1.5 month mark - all of the hardscape is still present, but you'd never know.

The new light has been working out very well. It seems to provide the perfect amount of PAR, and plant growth has been fantastic.
Peace all, and happy reefing.

-Rob

 

[Jarob]

Thats BEAUTIFUL! I think you convinced me to finally set up a planted tank...

Can you list your sources for the light supplies? I might copy the build.